WEST COAST
A hidden and untouched gem of South Africa is the less commonly visited West Coast, a completely different coast line compared to the East coast. It is a unique area with an abundance of natural beauty on offer. The West Coast runs along the Western and Northern Cape provinces of the country and hugs the cool Atlantic Ocean. It is not as densely populated as many other regions in South Africa and in some areas you will have to travel 100’s of kilometres before seeing a new town or village.
Vegetation is unique to this coastline and it is the proud home to the South African national flower, the Protea which is part of the fynbos family. During Spring, locals and foreigners flock to this region to witness the blooming of the wild flowers which is Mother Nature at her best. From the coast through up north to the picturesque towns of Namaqualand, this area is literally covered like a carpet in different shapes, colours and forms of flora for hundreds of kilometres.
Towns to visit in this area are Langebaan which is a fast growing seaside village that has a massive lagoon perfect for fishing, all water sports (particularly kite-surfing) and swimming. Paternoster is a smaller and more rustic fisherman’s town known for its fresh seafood, rugged yet stunning terrain and likened to villages on the Greek islands due to its white cottages.
Heading a bit more inland is the Cederberg Mountain Range and Nature Reserve, an area like no other in South Africa and a hiker’s paradise. Cederberg was a name given by locals due to the cedar trees that once were abundant in this region but are now endangered. The wildlife is also something worth bragging about, with rare animals such as the honey badger, aardvark, wild cat, lynx, Cape fox and leopards being regularly spotted. Activities here include quad and mountain biking, hiking, bird watching, rock climbing and viewing rock art dated over 1000 years back.
For more stunning scenery and adventure activities, head north to the majestic Orange River. It is the largest river in South Africa and runs through Namibia and Lesotho as well. In the Northern Cape part of the Orange river, activities such as white river rafting, canoeing and fly fishing are highlights.
Ashanti Travel Online will assist you with planning your trip up the West Coast and ensure you will have the best possible tour suited to your specific requirements.