Page 218 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

216  THE WESTERN AND SOUTHERN C APE

2 West Coast National Park Atlantic
Ocean
The West Coast National Park encompasses Langebaan Lagoon,
the islands Schaapen, Jutten, Marcus and Malgas, and the
Post berg Nature Reserve, which is opened to the public each
spring (Aug–Sep), when it is carpeted with colourful wild flowers
such as daisies and gazanias. The park is one of South Africa’s
most important wetlands, harbouring some 250 species of
waterbird including plovers, herons, ibis, and black oyster-
catchers. Antelope species such as elands and kudus can also Cape Cormorants
be seen, along with zebras. The park can be explored by car Abundant on the coast,
or on hiking trails; accommodation consists of chalets and they feed on pelagic shoal-
ing fish, but have been
houseboats on the lagoon. affected by overfishing.
Restricted
Plankiesbaai Military Area
J
Stoney Head
Seabirds
Langebaan Lagoon, 15 km Kreeftebaai
(9 miles) long, and with an
aver age depth of 1 m (3 ft), Vondeling Postberg
Nature
offers a sheltered haven for a Island J Reserve
great number of sea birds,
including waders, gulls,
flamingoes and peli cans.
Resident and migrant species Kraalbaai
take advantage of the Kraalbaai
Atlantic’s nutrient-rich water
to rear their chicks. White Pelicans Langebaan
Langebaan Lagoon is home to one of only a Lagoon
handful of white pelican breeding colonies in Sixteen Mile Beach
southern Africa. The species feeds on fish, which it
scoops up in the large pouch under its beak. West Coast
National Park
The curlew sandpiper’s Churchhaven
curved bill enables it to probe
for small crustaceans.
Hartlaub’s
gulls are
endemic
to the West
Coast and forage Bird
Hide
for food along the J
shore in the early J Atlantic Bird J
morning hours. Viewpoint Hide
. Geelbek Homestead
Lesser flamingoes, The visitor centre has
distinguished from greater information on the fauna,
flamingoes by their flora and ecology of the park.
smaller size Bird-watchers can observe
and red many different species from
bill, often the nearby hide, and there is
congregate also a restaurant specializing
in large in traditional Cape cooking.
flocks.

Yzerfontein
0 kilometres 5 J
West Coast
0 miles 2.5 Gate
Capetown
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp386–7 and pp403–4

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