Just a 1.5-hour drive from the city of Cape Town, the West Coast National Park is a rugged wilderness gem nestled along the West Coast region of South Africa.
Why We Love it and You Will Too
A delightful mix of activities awaits at West Coast National Park, from trail walking and mountain biking to kayaking and kite-boarding in the Langebaan Lagoon.
Watch for Southern Right whales passing along the shores in the Tsaarsbank section of the park (August to September).
Tackle a few scenic trails on foot and discover the iconic 117 000-year-old Eve's Footprint.
Witness a variety of bird species (over 250) and animals, including those signature Cape grysboks, and mountain zebras.
Time your visit with the highly-anticipated arrival of the Western Cape wildflowers which come into full bloom around August.
Your West Coast National Park Experience
With bright teal skies and sun-bleached shorelines, it’s easy to see why ‘Die Weskus is die beskus’ – the West Coast is South Africa’s best coast.
While there are plenty of dorpies (small towns) to explore and dreamy beaches to stroll, the West Coast National Park is by far the jewel in the region’s royal crown. Hitting that perfect combination of bush and beach, its boundary extends over the sun-kissed Langebaan Lagoon. A mecca for water-lovers, this watery wonderland offers ample opportunities to snorkel, kayak, and kite-surf to your heart’s content.
West Coast National Park itself is also home to a wide collection of plant species (classified as West Coast Strandveld and Langebaan Fynbos), birds and a medley of mammals. Keep your camera close at hand as you’ll quickly encounter your fair share of mountain zebras, white-faced bontebok and,perhaps (if you’re lucky), the oh-so-cunning caracal.
From August to September, head to the Tsaarsbank section of West Coast National Park where you can watch Southern Right whales, and the occasional Humpback. How perfect that whale watching also coincides with the arrival of the wildflowers? Those little buds and blossoms burst from the ground in their thousands between August to September — and it’s simply magical!
