West Coast National Park
The West Coast National Park is on the
The West Coast National Park was established in 1985 and is south of Saldanha Bay and the Langebaan Lagoon between the Atlantic Ocean and the R27 route, and stretches southward until Yzerfontein. It coveres about 24700Ha.
The Langebaan lagoon is home to about 60'000 birds of about 23 species.
Archaeology
Fossil records dating as far back as 20 million years ago have been uncovered in the area.
On the Farm Elandsfontein the oldest human remains south of the Orange (Gariep) River have been found.
Fossilized human footprints (“Eve’s Footprints”), dating back to 117'000 years ago, were discovered in 1995.
At Konstabel Kop an extinct volcano was discovered. It was last active more than 500 million years ago.
Bird watching
More than 300 bird species can be seen in the Park, among others: Cape Gannet, Jackass (African) Penguin, Flamingoes, Waders, Black Harrier, Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint, Ruff, Marsh, Terek and Curlew Sandpiper, Turnstone, Ringed and Grey Plover, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Curlew and Bartailed Godwit, Shelduck, White Pelican, Osprey, Black Korhaan, Cape and Greywinged Francolin, Southern Grey and Cape Penduline Tit, Anteating Chat, Whitethroated and Yellow Canary, Karoo Lark, Titbabbler, Bokmakierie and Cape Bunting, African Marsh and Black Harrier, Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gull, Cormorants.
Game
Eland, gemsbok, bontebok, springbok, wildebeest, kudu, Cape mountain zebra, steenbok, duiker, grey reebok, hartebeest, caracal (rooikat).
Things to do
Mountain bikes, cycle trails, picnic sites, kite boarding, kayaking.