Wonders of the West Coast
Explore the unspoilt West Coast and enjoy a two night stay in the quaint country village of Darling. Your travels will include visiting the West Coast National Park. The 40,000 ha West Coast National Park provides a safe haven for thousands of seabirds, who roost on the sheltered islands and pristine golden beaches. It’s a place to rest, to be with friends and family and enjoy the good things in life.
The West Coast National Park was established in 1985 with the aim of conserving the Langebaan Lagoon and surrounding landscapes, also including the islands in Saldanha Bay, and stretches from Yzerfontein to Langebaan. The habitats in the park are varied, and it is of international and national importance in respect of both terrestrial and marine life. The unique and diverse habitats of the Langebaan Lagoon and its salt marshes and wetlands, the granitic islands of Saldanha Bay with its large breeding populations of seabirds, the varied rocky and sandy shores of the coastal strip, the parabolic coastal dune fields and the terrestrial lowland fynbos communities on calcareous soils form the current extent.
The area is also extremely rich in fossils and reported remains of human occupation in the park date back to the Holocene Age. The West Coast National Park offers birders a diversity of habitats. The park is centred around the ecological and aesthetically spectacular Langebaan Lagoon. The bird hides give you the opportunity of viewing some of the many bird species found in this area, such as flamingo, ostrich and black Harrier. Bring your binoculars. There are three bird-hides: Geelbek, Seeberg and Abrahamskraal. In the park you will see many tortoises, ostriches, dung beetles, Eland, bontebok, springbok, hartebeest, wildebeest, Cape mountain zebras, scorpions, and if you’re lucky even snakes.
Enjoy lunch at the Geelbek Restaurant, situated in a Cape Dutch building dating back to 1744, prepares traditional food. Try the trio consisting of Malay chicken curry, bobotie and denningvleis. Dishes portray a local history enriched by Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Italian and Malay influences. The award-winning wine menu offers the best local wines.
Enjoy a day in the quaint country village of Darling and surrounds. Take in the great country hospitality and local cuisine. Your day will include a visit to Groote Post Wine Estate, Groote Post is a national treasure but it is – first and foremost – what it was created to be – a warm and welcoming home. In it, the past lives side by side with the present and one can relax in the company of many of South Africa’s most famous names who knew Groote Post when it (and the country) were still young. Take in a wine tasting, whilst enjoying the beautiful, serene surroundings, not to be missed is their unwooded Chardonnay. Head back into Darling, a gem uncovered, Darling is a town in South Africa’s Western Cape. It’s part of the Cape Floral Region and home to hundreds of species of flowering plants. The Darling Museum, in the 1899 Town Hall, traces local history, including the 19th-century butter industry. The warm, welcoming and friendly tourism folk from Darling believe that peace and quiet is foremost. A calm and peaceful retreat from the stresses and strains of the hectic city life. A chance to escape the daily grind and reenergize the soul. Try some traditional South African cuisine for lunch before heading for a craft beer tasting at the local brewery. One of SA’s first well established and award-winning microbreweries since 2010, they brew a wide range of great craft beer that are loved for their flavour.Enjoy lunch at the Geelbek Restaurant, situated in a Cape Dutch building dating back to 1744, prepares traditional food. Try the trio consisting of Malay chicken curry, bobotie and denningvleis. Dishes portray a local history enriched by Portuguese, Dutch, Norwegian, Italian and Malay influences. The award-winning wine menu offers the best local wines.
On route back to Cape Town time dependant we can stop at the seaside villages of Yzerfontein or Langebaan. A lunch stop at Route 27 Roosterkoek is a truly magical experience. On site is a general farmstall, where one can stock up on some traditional South African goodies as well as a wine shop. They say it’s the best roosterkoek in town – voted so by an unnamed patron – so stopping at Route 27 Roosterkoek is one of those experiences you just need to try for yourself!
Roosterkoeks here are freshly baked and filled with delicious fillings like cheese & jam or curry mince which complement the steaming traditional moerkoffie which they serve. Moerkoffie is ground coffee prepared over a fire – an authentic way to get a strong cuppa Joe.
The roosterkoek menu will have you deliberating fiercely as you struggle to pick which toppings sound right for the occasion. Go simple with just cheese, or spice it up with some biltong! Chicken mayo, jam and egg & cheese are among some of the other flavours you can experience.Roosterkoeks here are freshly baked and filled with delicious fillings like cheese & jam or curry mince which complement the steaming traditional moerkoffie which they serve. Moerkoffie is ground coffee prepared over a fire – an authentic way to get a strong cuppa Joe.
What you must do is walk over to where the roosterkoeks are being cooked over the fire. It’s wonderful to watch as your food is prepared on the coals, the smell delightful. Taste buds start tingling and your appetite definitely works itself up! They also sell a refreshing soft serve ice-cream, a great way to end the experience.
R27 Roosterkoek have a comfy seating area under canopy with lots of interesting artefacts dotted around. Some items undoubtedly picked up along the West Coast shoreline add plenty character to the rustic ambience. Read their chalk boards too – they’ll give you a good laugh, or bring a smile to your face at the very least!
Kindly note that this itinerary can be adjusted at anytime to suit your personal requirements. In order to enhance your experience, we highly recommend a stay over of two nights at any one of the delightful bed & breakfasts, enjoying the warm country hospitality. The tour comprises of one full day in the West Coast National Park, a full day touring Darling and surrounds, with some touring on the day of departure on route back to Cape Town. Please note that flower viewing along and in the area is seasonal and usually occurs between the months of August and September. When in season the flowers are simply spectacular and offer wonderful photographic opportunities.
