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West Coast National Park

All-in-One

This page displays all information relevant to this park/camp, except the following:


Just inland from the secluded harbour of Saldanha Bay one finds the azure waters of the Langebaan Lagoon, focal point of the West Coast National Park. Thousands of seabirds roost on sheltered islands, pristine golden beaches stretch endlessly into the early morning mist and brooding salt marshes are home to vast concentrations of migrant waders from the northern hemisphere. During the spring the strandveld is embroidered with a tapestry of multi-hued flowers, while in the Postberg section many antelope are to be seen in a setting that is as unique as it is idyllic.

Camps

  • Reception Offices
  • Geelbek Environmental Centre.

Areas of Special Interest

  • Postberg Flower Reserve
  • Geelbek Bird Hide, Tea Room and Information Centre

5 Things to Seek

  1. Cape Gannet
  2. Jackass (African) Penguin
  3. Flamingo's
  4. Waders
  5. Black Harrier

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Accommodation

To view the accommodation prices, refer to Tariffs

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Activities

  • The park has been divided into 3 recreational zones:
    • Zone A: multi-functional section for most water sports.
    • Zone B: reserved for sailboats and board sailing (no power boats or angling).
    • Zone C: wilderness area, which is closed to the public.
  • The Strandveld Educational Trail starts and ends at Geelbek Homestead.
  • The Postberg Flower Trail is open during the spring flowering season only.
  • Game viewing from own vehicle in the Postberg Section (only during the spring flowering season).
  • Picnic, barbecue and ablution facilities for day visitors in the Postberg Section (only during the spring flowering season).
  • Tea garden and light meals at the Geelbek Homestead.
  • Bird hides near the Geelbek Homestead.
  • Guided paddling trips and kayak hire by arrangement from Marie-Lousie at adventure@gravity.co.za

Facilities

Geelbek Goldfields Environmental Centre, dormitory-type accommodation for 110 persons attending environmental courses.

Conference facilities in Houseboats

Postberg Two Day Hiking Trails

NB: Bookings opened on the 2nd June 2008, Contact numbers: 022 7722 799 / 022 7722 144.

It is essential to read this information:


This is a two day one night trial, hikers to overnight at Plankiesbaai.

Day 1: 15.5km (6 Hours)
Day 2: 11.8km (3, 5 Hours)

Price: R85 pp excluding conservation fees.

This Trail can take up to a maximum number of 12 people.

Start:

Hikers must arrive at the Tsaarsbank gate at 09:00am to start the Trail. Cars can be parked at Tsaarsbank gate. All hikers to show their permit to the gate guard on duty before they start with the hike.

Sand dunes:

Do not take any short cuts and stick to the marked trail so that we can know if you have safely completed the walk by reporting back to the gate guard.

Overnight – Plankiesbaai:

The overnight point is situated at the southern end of Plankiesbaai. Look out for the stone ablution block built into a sand dune at Plankiesbaai. Tents should be put up on the level area close to the ablution block. Please keep off the dunes in the immediate areas of the ablution block and water tanks. Please bring your own tent and camping equipment.

Facilities:
  • Ablution block with toilets, basins and drinking water.
  • Braai grids and wood.
  • Washing up stands and a large kettle to boil water on the fire.

There are no showers, hot water or cooking utensils available at the overnight facilities.

16 mile beach:

On the second day, walk along 16 mile beach towards the wrech (Patelis A lemos 1978) until you see a flag and sign which indicates the turnoff into the dunes

Emergencies:

In the event of any injury or similar emergency, please walk to the nearest road and advise passing cars to contact Park personnel at 022 7722 144

 

Important Note:
  • Water is only available at Tsaarsbank gate and overnight point at Plankiesbaai. No water is otherwise available along the rest of the trail.
  • This trail has been completed by both young and old alike, but it is strenuous and should not be undertaken unless you are reasonably fit.
  • Under no circumstances will vehicles be allowed to overnight, pick up or drop off people or equipment at Plankiesbaai.

Hikers with medical problems are advised not to start this hike. Remember to bring the map with you and enjoy the hike!!!

Steenbok One Day Trail

NB: Bookings opened on the 2nd June 2008, Contact numbers: 022 7722 799 / 022 7722 144.

Distance: 13.9 km (5 Hours excluding breaks).

Price is R45 pp excluding conservation fees.

This Trail can take up to a maximum number of 20 people.

Please keep permit/ receipt at hand.

Routine Markers:

The first section (±2 km) of the Steenbok Day Trail follows the route of the 2 day trail up to Konstabelkop. The 2-day trail is marked with flower sign boards. Where the Steenbok trail deviates from this trail, it is marked with Steenbok signboards. Please stay on the trail.

Water:

Water is only available at Tsaarsbank and Plankiesbaai, therefore ensure that you start the trail with sufficient water.

Start and Finish:

The trail starts and ends at Tsaarsbank gate. Once you are ready to begin, check in with the gate guard at Tsaarsbank. You are advised not to start later than 09:00. The Postberg section closes at 17:00, so please aim to complete the trail before closing.

Emergencies:

In the event of any injury or similar emergency, please walk to the nearest road and advice passing cars to contact Parks personnel at 022 7222 144.

Walking on roads:

It is unavoidable that some sections of the trail are on the roads used by the general public. For your own safety please be aware of vehicles.

Regulations:

The trail is situated within a national park and is therefore subject to the National Parks Act. The most applicable regulations are:

  • No dogs allowed.
  • No picking of flowers.
  • No removal of any material, plant or animal.

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Park Map

Click on the map to view enlarged.

Click on the map to view enlarged

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Tariffs

Daily Conservation Fees for 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008
Outside Flower Season

South African Citizens and Residents (with ID)

R20 per person, per day

SADC Nationals (with passport)

R25 per person, per day

Standard Conservation Fee

R30 per adult / R30 per child, per day
Inside Flower Season

South African Citizens and Residents (with ID)

R30 per adult, R20 per child per day

SADC Nationals (with passport)

R40 per adult, R25 per child per day

Standard Conservation Fee

R60 per adult R30 per child per day

 

Tariffs for 1 November 2007 to 31 October 2008
Unit type
No. of units
Rate
Base
Max. beds
Add. Adult
Add. Child

Larus Houseboat HB6

1

R1200,00

1 – 4

4 adults and 2 small children

R210,00

R210,00

Nirvana House Boat

Bookings done through Langebaan Houseboats Reservations Tel: 021 689 9718

Jo Anne's Beach Cottage FA8

1

R895,00

1 – 4

1 double and 6 single beds

R200,00

R100,00

Abrahamskraal Cottage FA6

1

R550,00

1 – 5

1 double bed, 2 single beds and 2 pull out beds

R50,00

R50,00

Mooring Site MS

1

R120,00

1 – 6

6 people per site

n/a

n/a

Dormitory for large groups

All booking done through park.

                      

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Vital Information

Climate

Rain occurs mainly from May to August. Summers are dry with early morning mists with southeasterly or southwesterly winds. A temperate coastal climate prevails.

Day Visitors

Day visitors are welcome, and form the bulk of all visitors to the park. They can obtain food and refreshments at Geelbek and when Postberg is open there is a kiosk.

Contact Information

For enquiries e-mail Westcoast National Park or phone us on the following numbers:

Tel: +27 22 772-2144/5
Fax: +27 22 772-2607

Gate Hours

  • 1 April 2006 to 30 September: 07:00 to 18:30
  • 1 October to 31 March: 06:00 - 19:30

Late arrivals with accommodation at Langebaan, must phone the Park at tel. (022) 772-2144 (during office hours) to obtain permission.

Postberg: 09:00 – 17:00 (this section is open during flowering season only).

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Birding in West Coast National Park

The park surrounds the Langebaan Lagoon, which is a world Ramsar site (site’s deemed to be of global significance to wetland bird species). Many of the wader species are Palearctic migrants, so summer is the best time to visit the lagoon, particularly in September as species return fatigued from their transcontinental travel, and March when they congregate in large numbers to feed heavily prior to undertaking the reverse journey. In such times, the birds are often changing into or out of their Northern Hemisphere breeding plumage.

The best time to observe the lagoon waders is to visit the Geelbek hide from low tide as the tide is coming in. As the water level rises the waders are forced closer to the hide until eventually they must fly off until the tide has receded once more. The smaller species depart first, with the more long-legged godwits, whimbrels and curlews the last to leave. Knot, Sanderling, Little Stint, Ruff, Marsh, Terek and Curlew Sandpiper, Turnstone, Ringed and Grey Plover, Greenshank, Whimbrel, Curlew and Bar-tailed Godwit are present on most occasions, while there is always the possibility of seeing rarer species. Little Egret and South African Shelduck may be seen alongside the waders. Flamingoes and White Pelican frequent deeper water, and there is chance of seeing Osprey. Another isolated hide west of the Geelbek educational centre overlooks a salt pan that is an excellent place to see Chestnut-banded Plover

The reserve’s fynbos surrounding the lagoon hosts Southern Black Korhaan, Cape Spurfowl and Grey-winged Francolin, Southern Grey and Cape Penduline Tit, Ant-eating Chat, White-throated and Yellow Canary, Karoo Lark, Chestnut-vented Tit-babbler, Bokmakierie and Cape Bunting are all easily seen. African Marsh and Black Harrier can often be seen quartering the ground.

The coastal islands at the mouth of the lagoon are breeding havens for a number of species such as Kelp and Hartlaub’s Gull, Cape Gannet , and African Penguin. Cormorants and terns are present too.

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Mammals

The largest concentration of mammals is in the Postberg Reserve, but this is only open to public during flower season. However mammals are found throughout the rest of the reserve. Eland, red hartebeest, Cape grysbok, caracal and rock hyrax are some of the terrestrial species to search for. Visitors should also keep an eye on the Atlantic Ocean for passing whales and dolphins.

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Vegetation

Though the thousands of migrating birds is one the main reasons for the conservation of the West Coast National Park, the showy plants of the area, usually growing on granite or limestone rocks, especially during spring time, are what attracts most of its visitors to this fascinating park.

One of the summer-flowering west coast plants is the kukumakranka (koeke-makranka - Afrikaans, Khoi). There are about 32 Gethyllis species, of which G.afra and G.spiralis are perhaps the most commonly used ones. Koekemakranka is one of the few Khoi words still in use today and an interesting example of the contribution, which the Khoi people have made to the cultural wealth of the Western Cape Province.

These interesting plants all have an underground bulb of which the scales form a distinctive neck at ground level. The long, thin leaves are usually spirally twisted or coiled. The attractive flowers appear in summer when the leaves have already died. They have a narrow tube which extends below the ground where the fruit will eventually develop. In mid-winter, the long, club-shaped berry emerges from the ground. It has a fragrant pulp in which numerous seeds are embedded.

The ripe fleshy fruits are gathered. They are highly aromatic and have a powerful sweet, fruity odour. The gathering of the inconspicuous fruit depends to a large extent on a good sense of smell.

Kukumakranka brandy is one of the early Cape remedies for colic and indigestion. Traditionally an alcoholic infusion or tincture is made from a few ripe fruits in a bottle of brandy or witblits. The edible fruit was also highly valued to perfume rooms and linen.

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People with disabilities

Wheelchair Access

The major attractions of the reserve are the marine and lagoon fauna and flora, fossil deposits, flower displays, wading birds and the use of houseboats. There are a variety of visitor destinations within WCNP all with varying access potential. Some of the more noteworthy ones include:

Geelbek Hide

Accessed via a long wooden boardwalk, a person in a wheelchair can easily enter the hide (although with weathering the boardwalk is a bit creaky in parts). Depending on the tides, a person can have marvellous viewing of aquatic wading birds.

Postberg Flower Reserve

Flower season is August and September, but there is also the presence of some large herbivores. Most of the viewing of the flowers is done from the confines of a motor vehicle. There are a couple of picnic sites and a viewing site overlooking the lagoon. The pathway to this latter facility becomes too narrow for passage in a wheelchair. There are toilet facilities that are spacious and can be easily accessed. However no assisting rails are present.

Lagoon jetties and beaches

There are several jetties leading people onto the lagoon. These have steps and a wheelchair user will require assistance. Mobile toilets that service these jetties or the pathways that lead down to lagoon beach pockets are not appropriate for people in wheelchairs.

(Please see additional information on Wheelchair Accessibility)

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