Located in
South Africa :: Western Cape (Sandveld)
Category:
Protected Areas :: Protected Area
Verlorenvlei, approximately 25 km north of Lambert's Bay, near Eland's Bay, is one of the largest natural wetlands (area of 1 500 ha) along the West Coast of South Africa. It is one of the few coastal fresh water lakes in the country. The name is derived from the San name for the river that feeds it, 'Quaecoma' (a 'verlore' or lonely marsh). A small estuary connects the lake to the sea and marshlands are present along the main river which enters the lake. The entire channel is very shallow, tending to inhibit free water circulation. A natural obstruction at the mouth is a rocky sill, topped by a sand bar, above the normal reach of high tides. The vlei is an important feeding area for a large variety of birds. Eight nationally threatened species including the rare white pelican (Peleanus onocrotalus), have made this wetland their home.