The West Coast is a lovely getaway if you want to slow down and take a quiet break but there are some truly fabulous hidden gems along the way!
West Coast, South Africa (04 September 2020) – The West Coast of South Africa is enormous. It stretches all the way from Cape Town to the Namibian border but, if you’re looking for a road trip from the Mother City to the West Coast, there are endless fun activities to enjoy. Especially now that we’re heading for Spring.
Here are some fun activities for you and the family to enjoy when driving along the vast West Coast.
Visit the West Coast National Park
When driving along Route 37, visiting the West Coast National Park is a must. Every year between 1 August to 30 September, the park bursts into colour, as its stunning wildflowers cover the entire landscape. For those who would like to explore the regions of the park at their own pace, the popular Route 27 Farm Stall runs tours through the reserve on motor-assisted bicycles which are perfect for those who would like to ride across the beautiful landscape and even up the steepest hills in a matter of minutes.
Get clued up about the San culture – first people to live in Southern Africa
The San people, who form part of various Khoisan-speaking indigenous hunter-gatherer communities spanning across Southern Africa, were the first people to occupy parts of South Africa. Unfortunately, today many of these communities have been neglected by officialdom, but those who would like to know more about these wonderful people should head out to !Khwa ttu. Located in Yzerfontein, this educational centre provides awesome adventure activities, including mountain biking, trail running and tours offering fascinating insight into the culture, heritage and skills of the San.
Grab some delicious seafood
A trip to the West Coast would not be complete without enjoying some delicious seafood. One of the best restaurants for all seafood lovers is the Strandkombuis. This highly recommended restaurant serves everything from warm smoked snoek, tender fried calamari steak strips and deliciously braaied prawns with mouth-watering garlic sauce. Be sure to visit the restaurant on a Sunday afternoon as they serve seafood buffets for everyone to enjoy. This wonderful restaurant is nestled in the dunes between a nature reserve and the longest beach in South Africa giving it a relaxing atmosphere on the West Coast. There are also some accommodation options available at Strandkombuis if you would like to make an overnight holiday of your time on the West Coast.
Enjoy some fresh West Coast oysters
If oysters are something you enjoy, head on over to Saldanha. Here you’d be able to enjoy a fresh oyster right from the ocean. Some of the best oyster and mussel farms located in Saldanha are also known to supply some of the country’s top fine-dining restaurants, but if you’re after a bargain, pull into the harbour and pick up a cooler full of the freshest oysters at low prices.
Visit SimplyBee in Hopefield
As we all know, bees play a really huge role in the health of our planet, but there is still so much we don’t know about these hard-working insects. When driving along the West Coast, head on over to Simply Bee in Hopefield. Here you and your kids can learn all about these lovely insects while taking a look at what a functional beehive looks like from the inside. Don’t worry, you won’t be stung, the hive is completely closed off behind a window.
Chilled times on Elandsbaai beach
Just over 200km from Cape Town, you’ll find the quaint coastal village of Elandsbaai. A major drawcard of this pretty bay is the surfing waves – and you’re sure to spot some keen wave-riders whenever you visit the town. It’s also a great spot for non-surfers – take time out to relax on the beach and braai some locally-caught fish.
Visit the West Coast Fossil Park
Some might not know this, but the Cape West Coast used to be filled with a wide variety of fascinating animals, some of which resemble the creatures which no longer live on the African continent. If you’re a sucker for palaeontology (the study of the history of life – based on fossils), head on over to the West Coast Fossil Park, where you will be able to see the well-preserved remains of the animals that roamed the area about five million years ago.
Lastly, please remember to bring along all the safety equipment you need to ensure you are safe at all times when visiting these wonderful sites. The last thing you want is to contract the coronavirus while you’re out enjoying yourself!
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