West Coast National Park

Favorite Finds

West Coast National Park boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, from mammals to birds, thriving in its unique coastal and fynbos habitats.

Eland: Africa’s largest antelope, elands roam the park’s plains in herds, their majestic stature and distinctive spiral horns making them a symbol of the African savanna.

Bontebok: Endemic to South Africa, bonteboks are graceful antelopes with striking reddish-brown coats and white faces, often seen grazing peacefully in the park’s grasslands.

Cape Grysbok: Small and secretive, Cape grysboks are rarely spotted but play a vital role in the park’s ecosystem, browsing on leaves and twigs in dense shrubbery.

Southern Right Whale: These magnificent marine mammals migrate to the coastal waters of the park to breed and calve, offering visitors a rare opportunity to witness their majestic displays.

African Penguin: Waddling on the beaches and nesting in colonies, African penguins are a beloved sight in the park, where they entertain visitors with their comical antics.

Cape Fur Seal: Thriving in the cold waters off the coast, Cape fur seals haul out on rocky islands and shores, providing a lively spectacle for park visitors.

Black Oystercatcher: With its glossy black plumage and bright red bill, the black oystercatcher is a striking bird found along the park’s rocky coastline, feeding on mollusks and crustaceans.

Southern Double-collared Sunbird: These dazzling little birds flit among the fynbos flowers, their iridescent plumage glinting in the sunlight as they sip nectar from tubular blossoms.

African Marsh Harrier: A stealthy hunter of wetlands and marshes, the African marsh harrier soars over the park’s estuaries, searching for prey such as frogs and small mammals.

Black Harrier: Endemic to South Africa, the black harrier is a graceful raptor often seen quartering low over the fynbos vegetation, hunting for rodents and small birds.

Nature's Colorful Blanket

West Coast National Park transforms into a vibrant tapestry of color during the spring months, when the landscape bursts into bloom with a dazzling array of wildflowers.

From August to September, the arid plains and coastal dunes of the park are blanketed in a riot of hues, as countless indigenous species awaken from their dormant state to put on a spectacular show. Visitors are treated to a sensory feast as they wander through fields of bright orange Namaqualand daisies, delicate pink vygies, and cheerful yellow daisies, among many others.

The floral spectacle is not only visually stunning but also attracts a myriad of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and birds, which further enliven the scene with their fluttering wings and melodic calls.

Exploring the park during this time offers a truly magical experience, immersing visitors in the beauty and wonder of nature’s annual renewal