Located in
South Africa :: Western Cape (West Coast)
Category:
Protected Areas :: Protected Area
The Park was established in 1985 with the Langebaan Lagoon forming the focal point of the park. Their main aim is to conserve the Lagoon and its wetlands.
Postberg forms a big section of the park and is only open to the public during the flower season in August and September, except for the few house owners at Postberg and Kreeftebaai who can enter year round.
Along with the rainbow of flowers, a variety of antelope and spots of pink Flamingo's can be seen in the Park. Whale watching can be done at Tsaarsbank, while Kraalbaai is a popular picnic beach spot open for boating and water sports. The Geelbek visitors centre and restaurant are situated at the southern end of the lagoon.
There are about 4 different hiking trails in the Park and a cycle route. Visitors are not allowed to pick any plants or flowers and must adhere to the 50km/hr speed limit. They are motorbike friendly.
Address : | 25km or 20min N of Yzerfontein, Northern Cape (West Coast)South Africa | ||
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Postal : | South African National Parks, P.O. Box 787, Pretoria, 0001, Gauteng, South Africa | ||
Contact : | West Coast National Park Offices | ||
Contact 2 : | Manager | ||
Tel : | +27(0)22 772 2144 | ||
Tel2 : | +27(0)22 772 2145 | ||
Cell : | +27(0)71 212 2579 | ||
Email : | Click Here | ||
Host Website : | Click Here | ||
Cellphone Reception : | Good | Main Cellular Network : | MTN |
April-August: 07:00-18:00; September-March: 06:00-19:00
Best Time to Visit : | Flower Season (August -September). Flower season) 09h00 - 17h00 Last entry to Postberg at 16h30 |
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Gate Opening and Closing Times : | 1 April - 31 August: 07h00-18h00; 1 September - 31 March: 07h00-19h00 |
Reception Opening and Closing Times : | Mon-Fri: 08h00-16h00 |
Fee/s : | Conservation Fees : SA Citizens R64pp/pd, SADC Nationals R96pp/pd, Foreign visitors ZAR96pp/pd. All children pay half price. (Updated Aug-2020). |
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Nearest ATM : | 11km/Yzerfontein |
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Nearest Bank : | 11km/Yzerfontein |
Tourist Information Telephone : | +27(0)22 772 2144 |
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Picnics, Sea_Kayaking, Whale or Dolphin Watching | |
Game to View : | Eland. Red Hartebeest. Cape Grysbok. Caracal and Rock Hyrax. |
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Notes on Activities : | (Some activities may be offered nearby). |
Closest Town : | Yzerfontein |
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FOOD:
Food and refreshments can be bought at Geelbek, or Postberg is open during Flower Season (August - September). (Mar-18)
FUEL:
Fuel is not available in the park. The nearest fuel station is in the Langebaan Village which is about 5km from the park. (Mar-18)
EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Nearest hospital is at Vredenberg, 30km from the park. Provincial Hospital Tel (after hours): +27(0)22 709 7200.
Life west Coast Private Hospital: +27(0)22 719 1030.
Doctor Marie Human (office hours): +27(0)22 772 2758.
Doctor Joos Bester(office office) : +27(0)22 772 1606.
Nearest police station is at Langebaan: +27(0)22 707 5140.
Ambulance contact details: 10177.
Provincial Ambulance call centre: 086 122 559. (Mar-18)
“The area is rich in historical events from the first inhabitants, the Khoikhoi and San to the arrival of the Europeans. The first European to set foot on land was Vasco da Gama at St Helena Bay on the West Coast Peninsula in 1497. Antonia de Saldanha, after whom the bay is named, did not enter those waters at all. Juris van Spilbergen mistakenly named it in 1601 as Saldanha Bay; he thought that he had reached Cape Town â originally named Agoada de Saldanha. Although the Dutch were the first to claim ownership of the area, the French were frequent visitors. Countries would claim ownership by planting a post in the ground and formally declaring ownership. One of these âpostsâ may be seen today near Geelbek claiming the land on behalf of the Dutch East India Company. European settlement was very limited because of the lack of water for 8 months of the year. However, many stirring events have occurred in the region over the centuries including two sea battles and a visit by the Confederate States of Americaâs, Alabama, in 1863, the most feared warship of its day. Even the 5 islands in the area, which are administered by the Park have a history of their own, including battles for ownership, use as smallpox quarantine hospitals, exploits for guano, sealing centres and other activities. Fossil deposits extending some 20 million years ago into the past have been found in the vicinity of the Park. The oldest human remains south of the Orange River have been found on the Farm Elandsfontein. More recently, some 117 000 years ago a lone female trudged down a steep dune to the lagoon leaving her footprints in the wet sand. Within a few hours the dune dried out and the wind filled in the footprints with sand encasing them. They were discovered in 1995 and were named âEveâs Footprintsâ The site where the footprints were discovered may still be seen. Konstabel Kop, one of the highest points in the Park, was very recently discovered to be an extinct volcano, which blew its top over 500 million years ago. The wild flower display can be seen anytime between July and October and the best time is very much dependent upon the weather but normally during the months of August and September. Eland, gemsbok, bontebok, springbok, wildebeest, kudu and Cape mountain zebra are found in Postberg, a privately owned area of land, which is managed contractually by the Park. This area is open to the public during the months of August and September. Currently a fence is being erected on the Parkâs southern boundary and many of the above antelopes will be introduced into the Park once the fence is completed., Other animals to be found in the Park include steenbok, duiker, grey reebok and hartebeest. The largest of the small cat family, the caracal or rooikat, can sometimes be seen. There are approximately 250 bird varieties to be found - both resident and migratory. Some of the migratory birds include greater and lesser flamingoes and waders; the latter including curlew sandpipers, sanderlings and knots, migrate from Siberia and Greenland and spend the summer here. There are 3 bird hides that are available to visitors.” - Chris Smit, 2009/12/04