West Coast National Park

Archived News

Do something different this winter in the SANParks Cape Region

Date: 2012-05-14

Winter in the Western Cape need not revolve solely around duvet days and the four walls of your house. The five South African National Parks in the Cape Region invite you to spend winter differently this year - out and about in nature.

Race the picturesque Langebaan Lagoon Cycle challenge

Date: 2011-10-19

Fancy yourself an avid cyclist looking for a challenge – then the Weskus Langebaan Lagoon Cycle could be up your alley. This cycle challenge takes place on 12 November 2011 with optional distances of 80 km and 30 km starting at 7:00 and 7:45 respectively.

WCNP announces free entry during SANParks Week 12-16 September 2011

Date: 2011-09-06

West Coast National Park (WCNP) is opening its doors for Heritage Month during the South African National Parks (SANParks) Week, taking place from 12 to 16 September. During this week, all National Parks are offering free, open access to all – to celebrate the rich and diverse heritage that is often just on our doorstep.

WCNP HR opens Preekstoel Information Centre

Date: 2011-08-16

West Coast National Park’s (WCNP's) Honorary Rangers (HR) on Friday, 5 August officially opened the brand new Preekstoel Information Centre.

Kruger orientation course presented at WCNP

Date: 2009-10-26

On 9 and 10 October 2009, Vanessa Strydom (Manager: Conservation Interpretation and Training from SANParks Conservation Services, in the Kruger National Park (KNP)) visited the West Coast National Park Honorary Rangers and presented the Orientation Course for KNP.

WCNP HR get treated to insightful microscope presentation

Date: 2009-10-26

A Leica EZ4 Stereomicroscope presentation was delivered to the Honorary Rangers (HR) Environmental Education team of the West Coast National Park at their headquarters on Tuesday 15th September 2009.

West Coast National Park flower season is here!

Date: 2009-07-16

Come and enjoy West Coast National Park with us during flower season. Experience the park at its best and make sure that you don’t miss out!

Register now for the West Coast Marathon!

Date: 2009-02-12

Ranked as one of the second best marathons in South Africa in 2008, the West Coast Marathon is set to take place on 14 March 2009. The course is undulated and enjoyable, run around the Langebaan lagoon inside the West Coast National Park.

Free entrance at West Coast National Park during SANParks Week

Date: 2008-09-17

The West Coast National Park will be allowing free entry at the gates from the 22 – 26 September during SA National Parks Week.

Notice of EIA Process for Proposed Establishment of a Rest Camp in WCNP

Date: 2008-02-14

Please read this notice of Environmental Impact Assessment Process for the proposed establishment of a Rest Camp and associated infrastructure in West Coast National Park.

Glendower Wader Bash at West Coast National Park

Date: 2008-01-25

The Glendower Wader Bash at West Coast National Park is a unique opportunity to experience the vast wealth of birds of Langebaan Lagoon and the surrounding Park, a RAMSAR site of international status.

Christmas Carols at WCNP

Date: 2008-01-18

The West Coast National Park’s Honorary Rangers presented a Christmas celebration late last year on 16 December in the wedding marquee at Geelbek. “Christmas Carols On The Lawn” commenced at 17h30 and all the locals who joined the West Coast Honorary Rangers for this picnic celebration were allowed into the park free of charge from 16h30 with their picnic baskets and blankets.

The Pelican Challenge on the West Coast

Date: 2008-01-11

The near-threatened Great White Pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) is arguably the largest fish-eating seabird endemic to the South African West Coast. It can be recognised in flight by its huge wingspan, S-shaped neck, long beak, its penchant for soaring in thermals and for flying in formation. Some call it the Jumbo Jet of the birds.

West Coast NP Cycle Tour 2007

Date: 2007-11-14

The annual West Coast National Park Cycle Tour, organised by the West Coast Honorary Rangers, will take place on the 15th December 2007. The park is closed to vehicles for the race, which means no traffic, no pollution-just you and your bike at one with nature. You can choose to complete a fun ride of 30kms or the full ride of 80 kms.

Wild Card Sales Interrupted at West Coast NP

Date: 2007-10-25

Due to a problem with Infinity’s system, West Coast National Park cannot at present process wild card sales or renewals. Infinity is working on the problem. You can still use your valid wild card to visit the park.

PPP Investment Opportunity: Geelbek Restaurant and Retail Facilities in WCNP

Date: 2007-09-14

In line with SANParks’ Strategic Plan for Commercialisation, SANParks intends to form a Public Private Partnership (PPP) in which it gives a selected private party the rights to the commercial use of the Geelbek Restaurant and Retail Facilities in the West Coast National Park

Branding Survey: Complete and Win!!

Date: 2007-08-15

Complete this SANParks branding questionnaire by the 17 August 2007 and stand a chance to win a 2-night midweek break for 2 (two) adults and 2 (two) children in one of the South African National Parks.

Bakoor Hiking Trail Opens at West Coast NP

Date: 2007-08-15

In order to provide a fuller wilderness experience for our valued visitors, and to complement our two new off-road cycle trails, a new hiking trail was opened by the West Coast National Park manager, Xola Mkefe, just in time for this year’s flower season.

Newsflash-Delay in Opening of Postberg

Date: 2007-07-26

Due to severe flooding earlier this week, we have had to keep Postberg closed until Wednesday 01 August while we regrade the washed away roads.

West Coast Blooms

Date: 2007-07-26

With the abundance of rain starting early in the rainy season, all expectations are that there will be a bumper flower season this year. Reports are already starting to come in from up north of the first bright orange blankets, peppered with yellows and whites, and a few solitary reds in between.

West Coast NP a Safer Place

Date: 2007-06-11

With the increased number of schoolchildren passing through the West Coast National Park on eco-education courses, it has become apparent that a comprehensive First Aid kit was needed in the event of a field emergency. Our Park Education Officer, Edward Adonis approached the HR Committee and asked if we could help them. As a temporary measure, we rushed together a small field kit to help them while we sourced a better option.

Abrahamskraal Cottage - New Accommodation at West Coast National Park

Date: 2007-04-12

West Coast National Park has a new self catering cottage, situated near the Abrahamskraal waterhole.

Nominations for the 2007 Kudu Awards Begin

Date: 2007-03-07

If you know of individuals or organisations who are making a significant contribution to conservation in South Africa, please read more about the SANParks Kudu Awards, download the Award Categories and fill in a nomination form...

Junior Honorary Rangers at West Coast National Park

Date: 2007-01-16

On Saturday 16 December, the Annual Honorary Rangers Cycle Race was held in the scenic West Coast National Park. Riders came from all over SA to complete either the 80km main race, the 30km short race or the 5km fun ride. The park was closed to vehicular traffic for the time-trial duration.

Honorary Ranger NEC and Chairpersons Meet at West Coast

Date: 2006-10-18

Honoray Ranger National Executive Committee and Chairpersons' meetings usually take place in Gauteng because of the large number of regions in this part of the country. However, at the persistent invitation from the West Coast region of HR’s, the meeting took place in this beautiful park from the 14 to 17 September.

Traveller's Tale: Ocean, Wildlife and White Sand...

Date: 2006-08-25

I took a trip up to West Coast National Park yesterday. The weather was lovely and the lagoon was a beautiful bright blue. The bird hides are always a good place to visit and I went to the one closest to the Langebaan Gate first, close to the sandy banks of the lagoon. A flock of flamingoes were comfortably settled close to the hide, feeding in the shallow water and some were relaxing at the waters edge...

Grey Rhebok Released into West Coast National Park

Date: 2006-08-18

About two years ago, the former Park Manager of West Coast National Park approached the Honorary Rangers of the West Coast Region to start a project to relocate a breeding herd of Grey Rhebuck (Pelea capreolus) to the Park. The SANParks structure had been unable to offer an acceptable source for these animals and so the HR's used their wide contact base to find someone in the privare sector... Little did they know then what a thrilling and exciting project this would turn out to be!

Sunshine on a Rainy Day

Date: 2006-08-01

At this time of the year, many local and overseas visitors start looking forward to the magnificent flower displays up the southern west coast of South Africa. Given the wet and wintery conditions prevailing in many areas of the country at the moment, this picture, sent in by Mike Lodge, from the West Coast National Park will hopefully brighten your day.

New 20-seater Bus for SANParks

Date: 2006-07-13

The West Coast Region of Honorary Rangers yesterday formally handed over a brand new 20-seater Mercedes Benz bus to SANParks at West Coast National Park. The bus will be used to support the parks youth outreach efforts. Says Park Manager Xola Mkefe "Three and a half thousand kids visit our parks as part of eco-educational programmes, and that does not include the 500 kids from the 'kids in the park' programme. Many of these kids have no way of exploring the 30 000 hectare park"...