During
the spring and summer months from September
to April the influx of migrant waders is phenomenal.
Approximately 55,000 curlew sandpipers arrive
at Langebaan lagoon after a 9,375 mile (15,000km)
flight from the Siberian Arctic. Their miraculous
journey takes them from the very far north to
the deepest south in just six-weeks.
The
west coast Atlantic Ocean harbours giants of
the sea including several species of whales
and dolphins, cape fur seals and great white
sharks. The lagoon however is not their preferred
territory and is the domain of the well-camouflaged
harmless sand shark, who sits on the bottom
in the shallows. He won't even move until you
step on him and it is not certain who gets the
bigger shock - you or the shark! The sandy shores
of the lagoon are just bursting with life and
digging into the wet sand reveals hundreds of
little prawns.
SEASONS
The temperate coastal climate of the Cape west
coast has warm to hot dry summers and cool to
cold wet winters with a lot of wind year round.
Summer: It starts getting hot
in about November and peaks in December, January
and February with temperatures from 77-86°F
(25-30°C). Early morning summer mists are
either blown away by the south easter or burnt
off by the sun.
Winter: Rain usually falls
between May and August but the coldest winter
months are June, July and August when the nights
are cold.
Spring: Spring flowers emerge
from July to September depending upon the combination
of rain and sun.
WEST
COAST NATIONAL PARK SPECIALITIES
· Thousands of migrant
water birds
· Bathing in the warm
shallow lagoon
· Spring flowers on
Postberg peninsula
· Bontebok and tortoises
FACTS
There is no accommodation within this park,
it is open for day visitors only
The Postberg Peninsula section of the West Coast
National Park is only open during spring flower
season.
The West Coast National Park is 1½ hour's
drive north of Cape Town
This is not a malarial area
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