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12 things to do in West Coast National Park

29/10/2015

4 Comments

 
Picture
​By Roxanne Reid
Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town  you'll find the West Coast National Park hugging the Langebaan lagoon. It's a perfect place for a weekend break from the city or even a day trip. Here’s my pick of 12 things to do in West Coast National Park.

1. Go birding
Picture
At Abrahamskraal we saw coots diving for lunch, Cape shovelers sleeping and dabchicks giggling.
Langebaan lagoon and the islands of Schaapen, Marcus, Malgas and Jutten are part of a Ramsar wetland. Thousands of seabirds like African penguin, Cape gannets and cormorants breed on the islands and the lagoon is an important feeding area for migrant waders. So it’s a big tick on any birder or eco-tourist’s wish list. You’ll find about 250 bird species here and wader numbers in the summer months can top 50 000.

There are four bird hides in the West Coast National Park. Two are near the Geelbek restaurant, one at Abrahamskraal near the West Coast Gate and one at Seeberg near the Langebaan Gate. At the Geelbek and Seeberg hides we saw avocets, sanderlings, whimbrels, kelp gulls, black oystercatchers and Kittlitz plovers strutting around as if they owned the place. A large flock of about 400 flamingo were panning for gold in the shallow water and it was a joy to watch about 50 take to the skies in an explosion of pink.

2. Take a game drive ​
Picture
Although birding is perhaps a bigger draw card here, wherever you drive in the park you have a chance to see large and small mammals such as eland, red hartebeest, springbok, wildebeest, Cape grysbok, mountain zebra, bontebok, steenbok and African wildcat, as well as tortoises – and perhaps even whales if you visit between August to October.

3. Eat in style
Picture
The smiling faces of Blessing Mudana (in white) and Charity Tsuro (in black) welcome you to Geelbek
​Have breakfast at Geelbek restaurant, almost slap-bang in the middle of the park between the West Coast and Langebaan entrance gates. Try the breakfast or generous portions of traditional dishes like bobotie, curry, fish, seafood and more. Or you can just pop in for coffee and cake.

Take a walk around the huge Cape Dutch farmhouse that houses the restaurant and soak in the atmosphere of a bygone age. Talk to the staff and you’ll discover some interesting snippets. For instance, in the 1920s Geelbek had the biggest wine cellar in the country and the owner, Henry de Villiers Steytler, used to throw wild parties that went on for days. He even had the lagoon dredged to allow boats to get closer for his parties.

4. Go back in time
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The Seeberg info centre not far from Langebaan Gate on the northeastern side of the lagoon is housed in a restored stone hut perched on a huge rock overlooking the lagoon. Info panels tell the history of the area, from farms like Geelbek and Seeberg to settlements like Churchhaven and Oudepost. It also tells of the days of pirates and shipwrecks, of family life in the 1940s and 1950s, the days of whaling in the area, and the story of the birds and rangers on the isolated islands that are part of the park. It’s worth a visit if only to look at some of the old photos, though if you’re like me and you love stories of times gone by you’ll want to spend at least an hour here.

5. Go hiking
PictureHiking, West Coast National Park
Eve's Trail - photo courtesy of capebiosphere.co.za
Whether you’re a casual day hiker or you’re looking for an overnight trail, West Coast National Park has something to put a spring in your step. The two-day Strandveld Trail covers 28km through Strandveld and then to 16-Mile Beach before returning to Geelbek.

The 2.5-day guided slack-packing Eve’s Trail, is a three-stage 30km hike across Strandveld and deserted beaches, with views of the lagoon as you trace Eve’s footsteps. All you carry is a small daypack; lifts and luggage are organised and local people prepare your meals in traditional West Coast style.

The two-day, 27km Postberg Trail is open only in August and September each year during the spring flower season (see no. 6 below). The trail starts and ends at Tsaarsbank and you overnight at Plankiesbaai. It’s not for sissies – you need to be fairly fit and to carry your own tent and camping equipment. Bookings through the Geelbek info centre open in June each year, tel 022 707-9902/3.

The one-day 13.9km Steenberg Trail starts and ends at Tsaarsbank. It’s also only open in August and September. Make sure you carry enough water with you.

Shorter walks for the less committed are the Bakoor Trail (4.6km from the Langebaan Gate to the Seeberg viewpoint), and two short walks that begin at the Geelbek Information Centre – a 9km circular walk to the dunes and back, and a 7km circular walk that includes part of 16-Mile Beach. Get more info from the Geelbek Information Centre, tel 022 707-9902/3, next to Geelbek restaurant.
6. See the spring flowers 
Picture
The Postberg section of the West Coast National Park is open to visitors only in August and September each year, when the spring flowers are in bloom. For photos and tips on making the most of your visit to Postberg, see Spring flowers at Postberg on the West Coast.

7. Go mountain biking
Bring your bike and tackle a couple of the trails in the park: 30km from Langebaan Gate to Geelbek on tar; 70km return trip from Langebaan Gate to Kraalbaai on tar; 13km circular trail on gravel around Seeberg view point not far from Langebaan Gate; 30km circular trail on gravel around Seeberg viewpoint and Mooimaak.

8. Enjoy a braai or picnic
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There are stone braais overlooking the lagoon at Preekstoel near Kraalbaai, and you can learn about lagoon ecology at the small info centre. Even better, take the dirt road to Tsaarsbank and enjoy your braai or picnic looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. Bird watching and beach walking are favourite activities here.

9. Go whale watching
From the Tsaarsbank section of the park you might be lucky enough to see southern right whales play and swim in the Atlantic Ocean. The best months for whale watching are August to October.

10. Stay at Duinepos Chalets ​
Picture
 My favourite place to stay in the West Coast National Park are the delightful Duinepos Chalets not far from Geelbek. They sleep 4-6 (in two bedrooms with sleeper couch in the living room) and are fully equipped for self-catering. Relax and recharge your batteries, or use it as a pleasant base for your daily explorations. To find out why I love this place so much, read my post Duinepos chalets on the Cape West Coast.

11. Stay on a houseboat 
Picture
Photo: SANParks West Coast National Park
Three houseboats are permanently moored at Kraalbaai in the lagoon, so you can enjoy the water lifestyle even if you have no boating experience. They sleep from six to 24 people. Find more info on other accommodation in the park here.

12. Knock yourself out with watersports
If watersport is your thing, you have plenty choices in the area, from kitsesurfing, waterskiing and kayaking to snorkeling, diving, or fishing. The best place to seek out these adventures is in the little town of Langebaan just outside the park. 

Whether you’re looking for a patch of peace where you can relax into some birding or simply stroll on the beach, or you prefer to fill every day with action and exercise, West Coast National Park has got you covered.
​ 
You might also like:
Walking at Langebaan Lagoon on the West Coast

Copyright © Roxanne Reid - No words or photographs on this site may be used without permission from roxannereid.co.za
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12 things to do in West Coast National Park, stay at Duinepos, West Coast National Park accommodation, self-catering accommodation West Coast, Langebaan Lagoon, Kraalbaai houseboats, Kraalbaai, Geelbek, hiking
12 things to do in West Coast National Park, stay at Duinepos, West Coast National Park accommodation, self-catering accommodation West Coast, Langebaan Lagoon, Kraalbaai houseboats, Kraalbaai, Geelbek, hiking, watersports
4 Comments
Cindy Adshade
6/5/2016 12:24:13 pm

I would like to book for a Sat or Sun August or September for Steenberg trail.4 adults & 4 children(7yrs-14yrs).please notify availability?

Reply
Roxanne
13/5/2016 06:06:13 am

Cindy, I have no idea. You'd have to contact the park directly - follow the link in the post to find email address and telephone number.

Reply
Lindsay Stevens link
22/12/2022 10:14:06 am

I would like to visit on a day trip 25 December 2022

Reply
Roxanne Reid link
22/12/2022 10:52:08 am

I hope you enjoy it. I'd recommend getting there early as they probably will have gate quotas in place for day visitors. I suggest phoning the park first - contact details here https://www.sanparks.org/parks/west_coast/tourism/general.php#contact

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    I'm an independent travel writer and book editor with a passion for Africa - anything from African travel, people, safari and wildlife to adventure, heritage, road-tripping and slow travel.
    My travel buddy and husband Keith is the primary photographer for this blog.
    We're happiest in the middle of nowhere, meeting the locals, trying something new, or simply watching the grass grow.
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