The West Coast National Park is a misty, stunning landscape that spans 27,500 hectares and is flanked by the Atlantic Ocean. Part of the
SANParks portfolio, it is set among the striking spring flower blossoms and expansive beaches surrounding the Western Cape's Langebaan Lagoon. The lagoon is recognised as a highly significant wetland site, rich in biodiversity on an international level of importance. The park is particularly well known for its vegetation and bird life.
The fynbos conservancy and wildflowers displayed at West Coast Park is a constantly changing pattern of colourful blossoms that evolve throughout the season, and is at its best between August and September. The tough, broad-leafed shrubs and White Milkwood thickets of Strandveld fynbos line the coast. Strandveld fynbos, which is unique to the area and forms part of the Cape floristic region, stabilises sand dunes and supports a very high biomass of browsing animals. Gemsbok, bontebok, springbok, steenbok, duiker, hartebeest, Eland as well as wildebeest and Cape mountain zebra graze within the park. The African wild cat, genet and bat-eared fox may also be found.
Approximately 250 varieties of resident and migratory birds settle here, including lesser flamingos, migrating sandpipers and the Chestnut-banded Plover. Waders are numerous in Langebaan Lagoon, and from Geelbek hide one can observe the Palearctic migrants that gather at West Coast Park in summer to feed. Long-legged godwits, whimbrels and curlews wade alongside Little Egret and South African Shelduck, while the Osprey is an occasional visitor. The fynbos also hosts some interesting species like the Cape Spurfowl, Southern Black Korhaan, Grey-winged Francolin, Ant-eating Chat and Karoo Lark. Coastal islands are breeding habitats for populations of Cape Gannet and African Penguin.
Whether it is the area’s incredibly rich history, the stirring beauty of its golden coastline or the protection of an array of unique fauna and flora, West Coast National Park has something incredible to offer every nature-lover.