Relax at West Coast National Park
This little piece of paradise is one of SA’S best-kept secrets, writes Mantombi Makhubele
IRECKON the West Coast National Park is one of the best kept secrets in South Africa. Just an hour and about 15 minutes drive from Cape Town’s airport, you could be forgiven for thinking you were out of the country.
Neatly tucked against the Azure lagoon near Langebaan, I soon realised that this park gives you a unique package. A little bit of island living with the turquoise blue water and palm trees, some desert living with white sand dunes and a serene wilderness for that perfect escape into the bush.
Our hostess, Moipone Thathane from Sanparks, who received us at the gate, kept on saying we had visited the park at the wrong time of the year. She wanted us to experience the blankets of brightly coloured flowers for which the park is famous, in August and September.
I was not bothered at all. I could see that the place is a paradise for hikers, cyclists and mountain bikers, birders and nature lovers alike, at any time of year. And I am one of them.
The rare brownish fynbos and bush growing on granite and limestone rocks made the scenery appealing to the eye. I tried to picture how beautiful it would look when that wilderness burst into a vast array of colour as spring brought with it a landscape of flowering fynbos and veld. This beauty is particularly prominent in the Postberg section of the park (which is only open to the public during the flower season).
We stayed at the famous Joanne’s Cottage, an exclusive self-catering cottage situated in Churchhaven, in front of the bluest lagoon.
The cottage is fully equipped with three bedrooms, a lounge with a cosy fireplace and a braai outside overlooking the lagoon.
If you can’t get accommodation at Joanne’s, there is plenty more at the eco-friendly and charming Duinepos selfcatering chalets.
Even more charming are the three ladies who own and manage the 11 self-catering chalets at Duinepos.