South Africa - Road Tripping Again - West Coast

 

West Coast National Park - Flower Season August and September each year - take a picnic and enjoy the amazing display of flowers!

Whilst our main focus was on the Wild Flowers of the West Coast that occur during August and September of each year, we did the odd bit of exploring along the way.   The West Coast has many interesting villages that can be explored. Jacobsbaai is approx, a 90 minute drive from Cape Town and hosts a small community of artists, potters, holiday makers and those who love the tranquility. With gravel roads and 7 small bays like Kwaaibaai for surfers, Smalbaai for birders. Hospital Bay, ideal for swimming, gets its name from the the 1800's when ships dropped off their sick for quarantine purposes. Certainly a tranquil spot for recovery from illness. although one wonders if these folk were able to fish or dive for the abundant crayfish in order to survive? Serious hikers can enjoy the trail from Swartrietbaai to Tietiesbaai, near Paternoster. If you are interested in shipwrecks, read the story of the Margaret in the link below. https://www.learntodivetoday.co.za/blog/2019/02/05/visible-shipwrecks-the-barge-margaret/ All that can be seen of this barge today is a small section remaining. The West Coast National Park is a must visit during flower season. Postberg Reserve within the park is only open to visitors during August and September so it can get very busy. Best to visit on a sunny week-day rather than a week-end when the Capetonians drive up to see the flowers and enjoy a picnic in amongst huge boulders, wild flowers, seagulls looking for a snack and the sea. For hikers, the trail during Flower Season is a must do - booking is essential. See the Blog below for full details. https://www.ostrichtrails.com/africa/south-africa/postberg-flower-hike/ Kraalbaai in the West Coast National Park offers stunning views over Langebaan Lagoon and the tidal flats are ideal for walking during low tide. During summer swimming, kayaking, SUP or wind-surfing can all be enjoyed. Their are also house boats for hire - spend a romantic night on the lagoon or have a party (not too noisy!) on the bigger house boat that sleeps around 24 pax.  The West Coast National Park surrounds the beautiful Langebaan Lagoon and is a Ramsar Site (Wetland of Internationa Importance) Migrant waders from the Northern hemisphere can be seen here as well as Greater and Lesser Flamingoes. There are bird hides close to the Geelbek Information centre and another one just before the exit gate on the Langebaan side. This hide has been recently upgraded and is now much higher, allowing birds to be seen more easily. The views from Seeberg Lookout are beautiful and there is also the hike from the Langebaan gate to Seeberg - approx 4km.  We walked a short distance along this hiking path and it was fascinating to watch a "flower eating" bird having a whale of a time amongst the beautiful wild flowers! Whether the flowers are edible for humans I cannot say! A West Coast iconic "must see" is Bokkom Laan in Veldrif. Take time out to sit over the water at "Ek en DJY" - they serve toasties, burgers, fish and the beer is cold! We loved watching a Grey Heron trying to find a fish in the shallow waters but he had no luck while we were watching. We got chatting to a local who has re-located to the peace of Velddrif from Gauteng. His photos of the heron are incredible, showing that fish are indeed caught from time to time. There are boat trips on offer for a closer look at the birds - our time did not permit for this, sadly. The local industry here is bokkoms, dried out by the sun and the wind. "Fish Biltong" and there is a huge warehouse full of this South African delicacy. Eat them as biltong, or on buttered toast, use to make fish soup or re-hydrate to use as anchovies.   From  Paternoster, one can drive into the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.  This area has camping sites in Tietiesbaai where there are ablution blocks but wild camping spots are also dotted all over the area for those who prefer to be more isolated. The Sea Shack offers glamping A-Frame cabins and you truly cannot get closer to the sea from here! There is a labyrinth just beyond the parking area outside - with a bench in the centre from where one meditate and watch the waves.  This Reserve is extremely popular during the summer months.  The Cape Columbine Lighthouse got its name from the British ship, Columbine that was wrecked in 1829. For ships coming from South America and Europe it is the first lighthouse that they see. Commissioned in October 1936, there are now homes available for tourists within this Lighthouse compound.  All in all, a great area to explore for hikers, birders, photographers. Or just to enjoy being close to nature on the West Coast.  This heron spent ages looking for a fish - he was not successful while we were watching. http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradclinphotography     For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa  www.bradclin.com The bird that just loved eating the wild flowers - such fun to watch!