West Coast National Park

Afrikaans name: Weskus Nasionale Park

West Coast National Park

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Western Cape

During spring visitors to the West Coast National Park can take in the beautiful sight of fields of colourful flowers against the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Unfortunately, this spectacle is not on display for too long and is not always 100% predictable of when it will take place. But don’t worry, there are plenty more reasons to visit this national park.

The West Coast National Park is 88 km north of the centre of Cape Town. The park lies between the R27 road and the Atlantic Ocean and stretches from Yzerfontein to Langebaan. It has an area of over 36,000 hectares and includes a number of different habitats.

The flowers are a major drawcard to the park in spring. The fields are covered with a blanket of flowers of different colours. The predominant habitats in the West Coast National Park are strandveld and fynbos.

Another major attraction, perhaps even more so than the flowers, are the migrant waders that arrive during summer. These birds take advantage of the huge invertebrate population of the Langebaan Lagoon. Of course, there are numerous other species of bird that are resident in the park.

A number of species of mammal can also be seen. These include Gemsbok, Kudu, Eland, Red Hartebeest, Cape Mountain Zebra and more.

Would you recommend a visit to the West Coast National Park?

References and further reading

Wild Issue 46 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 36

Wild Issue 45 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 14

Wild Issue 44 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 12

Wild Issue 40 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 16

Wild Issue 43 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 32

Wild Issue 36 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 60

Wild Issue 40 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 14

Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 48

Wild Issue 36 - Author: - Published: 2016 - Page: 16

Wild Issue 25 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 16

Wild Issue 30 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 24

Wild Issue 24 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 88

West Coast Tourist Guide - Author: Cornel Truter - Published: 1998 - Page: 32

West Coast Tourist Guide - Author: Cornel Truter - Published: 1998 - Page: 163

Top Birding Spots in Southern Africa - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 1992 - Page: 367

West Coast Tourist Guide - Author: Cornel Truter - Published: 1998 - Page: 21

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 207

Stuarts Field Guide to National Parks & Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd ed - Author: Chris & Mathilde Stuart - Published: 2018 - Page: 212

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 319

Southern African Birdfinder - Author: Cohen, Spottiswoode and Rossouw - Published: 2006 - Page: 48

Road Tripping South Africa - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2014 - Page: 37

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 155

Places to Visit in Southern Africa - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1995 - Page: 324

On Route - Explore South Africa region by region - 3rd edition - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 2014 - Page: 50

On Route - A region by region guide to South Africa - Author: B.P.J. Erasmus - Published: 1995 - Page: 27

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 245

go! - Issue 135 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 35

go! - Issue 156 - Author: - Published: 2019 - Page: 114

Hit the Road - 2nd Edition - Author: MapStudio - Published: 2018 - Page: 29

go! - Issue 087 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 104

go! - Issue 133 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 34

go! - Issue 086 - Author: - Published: 2013 - Page: 60

Getaway - Vol 35 No 09 - Author: - Published: 2024 - Page: 90

Family Fun - Author: Lisa McNamara - Published: 2015 - Page: 60

Essential Birding: Western South Africa - Author: Callan Cohen and Claire Spottiswoode - Published: 2000 - Page: 46

Country Life - Issue 265 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 70

Country Life - Issue 266 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 76

Country Life - Issue 229 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 86

Country Life - Issue 224 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 88

Country Life - Issue 181 - Author: - Published: 2011 - Page: 36

Country Life - Issue 218 - Author: - Published: 2014 - Page: 72

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Guide to Southern African Game and Nature Reserves - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1989 - Page: 247

Caravan & Outdoor Life - Issue 664 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 34

Birds of the Southwestern Cape and Where to Watch Them - Author: W. Peterson and M. Tripp - Published: 1995 - Page: 102

Birding Hotspots - Author: Trevor Hardaker - Published: 2007 - Page: 8

Atlas of National Parks and Reserves of South Africa - Author: Marielle Renssen - Published: 2006 - Page: 20

A - Z of South African National Parks - Author: South African National Parks - Published: 0 - Page: 64

SANParks - West Coast National Park

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