West Coast National Park

South Africa's West Coast National Park consists predominantly of the Langebaan Lagoon, the offshore Saldanha Bay islands, and a picturesque stretch of strandveld with indigenous flora. The spring months between August and October render the veld a rainbow of coastal flowers, ceding spectacular scenes of eland, red hartebeest, and zebra in colorful floral mosaics. The park is located less than two hours from Cape Town and is included in some of our South African tour itineraries.

Need Advice?

Overview

The park's main feature, the lagoon, with its salt marsh wetlands, is a haven for sea birds and has been identified as a world Ramsar site and an 'Important Bird Area' by Birdlife International.

From white pelicans and flamingos to rare endemic species, the West Coast National Park is a bird lover's paradise and offers a range of hides from which to view birdlife. The tranquil waters of the lagoon are also a hotspot for watersports enthusiasts, offering the perfect platform for kayaking and kite surfing. Additionally, visitors can take on the park's numerous hiking trails, relax with a braai or picnic, and enjoy the peaceful scenery.

Size
275 km²
Established
1985
Province
Western Cape
Bird species
885
Plant Species
482

Safaris and Tours that visit West Coast Park

21 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Personal & National Park Camps Code: T11

Our most comprehensive private guided tour of South Africa devotes a couple of days to explore the West Coast National Park near the end of the three-week itinerary.

3 Days From: ZAR 69,270 pp Personal Code: CT06A

Departing from and returning to Cape Town, this itinerary is dedicated to exploring the west coast, its Fauna and Flora, and primary attractions. It is a private tour.

Reasons to Visit

1

Sensory overload

Treat your senses to the richness of this magical coastal park. Take in the millions of flowers blossoming in spring, creating a carpet of colors set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean and the bright blue waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, with a multitude of seabirds and antelope roaming freely over the reserve.

2

Feathered friends

Birds worldwide flock to the region to have their annual summer holiday in the Southern Hemisphere. The curlew sandpipers from the Siberian Arctic are amongst these special guests. Other highlights include the Black Harrier and the large colony of Cape Gannets that call the area home.

3

Be a Sport

The Langebaan Lagoon is the perfect destination for adventurous water sports. The prevalence of strong winds in the region makes it ideal for kite surfing and windsurfing. There are boat trips, kayaking, and fishing from the shore or a boat for those who would like to try something a bit more uncomplicated.

Experiences to Savor at West Coast National Park

The West Coast National Park is mainly known for its verdant wildflowers in the springtime and the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon. The finest experiences take advantage of these unique sights.

Somewhere over the rainbow

The park is a mix of colors and hues that paint a picture unlike any other you see. The yellow, orange, purple, white, and pink flowers that bloom during the wet season are mesmerizing.

The Blues

With its azure blue hues, the Langebaan lagoon creates the perfect backdrop for any occasion. It is particularly stunning when combined with the floral blanket over the plains and the darker shades of the Atlantic Ocean.

Adventure awaits

For those that believe this park is not equipped for the more adventurous traveler, you are most definitely mistaken. Canoeing, boating, kite surfing, mountain biking, and other activities on and outside the water will raise your pulse.

FAQ

Are there public braai sites?
Yes, there are. Do note, however, that no alcohol is allowed in public areas.
Are there fishing spots?
There are fishing spots in the park, but regulations are in place. Visit the Information Center before your fishing activities to be sure that you do not break any laws.
Are there any shops?
The nearby town of Langebaan does have some shops for essential purchases. Cape Town is just an hour and a half drive away if you are looking for some major retail therapy.
What sort of food is the area known for?
The West Coast is well known for seafood, particularly festive snoek barbecues on the beach.
Is it safe to walk around?
It is safe to walk around. The crime rate is low, and there aren't any large predators in the area. However, keep a lookout for snakes when hiking or exploring the park.
Can you partake in water sports anywhere along the coast?
Water sports are restricted to certain zones of the park.
Can we visit the park for a day only?
Day visitors are welcome and form the bulk of visitors to the park.

Useful Travel Info

Getting There

By Air

The West Coast National Park is situated in the Western Cape, close to Cape Town. Guests traveling to the park will be welcomed at OR Tambo International Airport and board a domestic flight to Cape Town International Airport. The short flight from the north to the south offers a great aerial view of the Karoo on a clear day, so be sure to take a look if you can.

By Road

The park is approximately 100km from Cape Town, and the short drive along the western coast of South Africa offers beautiful scenic mountainous and oceanic landscapes. The road is relatively easy, although the last section is untarred – African Sky will transport guests to the park in a private, air-conditioned 4x4 vehicle driven by an experienced guide.

Weather & Best Time To Visit

Much like the Namaqualand National Park, it is best to visit the West Coast National Park during spring and early summer when the flowers bloom. The area experiences warm winter days compared to other parts of South Africa, but evenings can get cold, with temperatures dropping below 10C.

The summers are also not as warm as in other parts of the Northern Cape. It is due to the fog blown inland from the cool Atlantic Ocean. The region experiences strong winds throughout the year. Rain occurs mainly in the winter from May to August. Whales can also be seen in the area and start arriving in June.

History

The area that is now the West Coast National Park has been occupied by humans for hundreds of thousands of years. On the shores of the Langebaan Lagoon, the skull cap of an archaic human (Homo sapiens) has recently been excavated. When it was dated, scientists estimated the skull cap to be approximately 400 000 years old. Trace fossils in the form of fossilized footprints were also found in 1995 at Kraalbaai, next to Langebaan Lagoon. These footprints are estimated to be around 120 000 years old. The footprints' size and shape indicate that it was a woman walking down a steep sand dune. There are only four sets of ancient human footprints worldwide.

In recorded history, the first people to occupy this area were the Khoikhoi. They were nomadic livestock farmers and traded fat-tailed sheep, goats, and cattle with the early Dutch that settled in Cape Town. As early as 17 October 1652, Jan Van Riebeeck dispatched a skipper and bookkeeper to trade with the Cochoqua at Langebaan. By 1654, Van Riebeeck sent large vessels to Langebaan to collect salted penguins and bird eggs to feed enslaved people. The Dutch used Langebaan Lagoon as a haven for ships in danger and to repair ships. Between 1652 and 1795, 61 ships were repaired, and 140 ships escaped dangerous seas into the lagoon.

Wildlife

When the flowers bloom, late winter to early spring is the best time to see wildlife. This time of year is the breeding season for many animal species. Animals typically shy and skittish, like caracal, bat-eared foxes, and Cape foxes, are frequently seen. West Coast National Park is home to a healthy population of eland, the continent's second-largest antelope specie, and gigantic bulls can be found. Other species of antelope include gemsbok, bontebok, grysbok, steenbok, springbok and common duiker. The once-endangered Cape mountain zebra makes for brilliant sightings and unique photographs.

In the Atlantic Ocean, Cape fur seals are the most abundant mammal, Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins are seen occasionally, and humpback and southern right whales are spotted in season. Reptiles are plentiful in the reserve. One will likely come across puff adders, mole snakes, and legless skinks. Angulate and parrot-beaked tortoises can also be found. Birding around the lagoon is exceptional. Curlew sandpipers come to the park in the summer from the Siberian Arctic. Swift terns, Cape gannets, crowned cormorants, and even the endangered African black oystercatcher are all common. African penguins may also be seen.

Vegetation & Terrain

The West Coast National Park contains 24,025 hectares of strandveld vegetation. Recently the park has acquired more land to add to the diversity of the foliage. The extra 6382 hectares are made up of Hopefield Sand Plain Fynbos. Both areas have a high rate of endemic flora. The plain sand fynbos, however, has been given higher conservation value than the strandveld vegetation, as very little of the sand plain fynbos is being formally conserved, and it is being threatened more and more by alien plant invasion. Most of the vegetation in the West Coast National Park grows on granite or limestone rock, and the plants tend to be very colorful during spring, attracting many visitors.

The strandveld vegetation in the park is on the Langebaan peninsula and around the Langebaan lagoon on the eastern side, where it grows in the deep chalky sands of the Langebaan formation. The plain sand fynbos occurs inland of the strandveld vegetation on deep acidic light-gray to pale-red sands of the Springfontyn formation. On the fringes of the Langebaan lagoon, there are extensive marshes. The park Park vegetation can be divided into 36 associations and 482 plant species. Twenty-one of these species are red data book species, and 14 red data book species occur in the newly acquired sections of land.

Activities

The West Coast National Park encompasses the strikingly blue Langebaan Lagoon, and accordingly, a variety of water-based activities are available in the area. The area is also known for its windy climate, and windsurfing, kayaking, and kiteboarding are some of the most popular past times. The park caters to nature lovers. It was established to conserve the Langebaan Ramsar, a natural saltwater wetland and one of three lagoons not fed by fresh water. Several hikes are available in the park, including the Geelbek and Bakoor day walks, which are favorites among visitors.

Birding is exceptional in the park, with over 250 species, including the flightless ostrich and the famous flamingo. It is no surprise that the park has four bird hides. Guests can also head for the beach, enjoy a relaxing picnic or braai (barbecue), and swim if they dare. The waters of the Atlantic are icy, and guests should also be vigilant for tides - especially in the lagoon area. Whales can be seen lazily along the coast from August to September. During spring, visitors can enjoy the thousands of flowers that cover the park with a beautiful array of colors.

Top National Parks

Kruger Park
Addo
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi
iSimangaliso
Knysna Lakes
Kgalagadi