Work your way up the Cape West Coast with Car Hire South Africa
The West Coast Biodiversity Corridor is one of South Africa’s most unique and naturally abundant areas, boasting a huge variety of wildlife and marine life and regarded as an Important Bird Area.
Most people start their journey along the West Coast in Cape Town. You’ll find no shortage of city and pastoral delights in the Mother City itself, but if you want a taste of something different, it pays to head along Route 27 in your hire car.
You can fly into the Mother City and enjoy some of the most economical car hire South Africa has to offer from major agencies across the city.
Here’s your guide to making the most of this biodiversity corridor along the western coast of South Africa.
The West Coast Way
This fascinating and diverse route is marketed as the West Coast Way and features over one hundred attractions earmarked along six major circular routes starting about 20 minutes outside Cape Town.
You can stick to these well-worn paths during your travels or make your own way along the West Coast according to your interests.
These are some of the major attractions to include in your travels:
Melkbosstrand – 40km outside Cape Town
This pristine destination is a local favourite, beloved for its quaint seaside village, restaurants, and glorious unspoiled beach. The ocean is an untamed playground for lovers of water sports like kite surfing, kayaking, surf skiing, boating, and surfing.
Koeberg Nature Reserve – Just Off the R27
Koeberg Nature Reserve is an excellent choice for nature lovers visiting Melkbosstrand. This unspoiled area is home to Cape grysbok, steenbok, springbok, and bontebok in a west coast Strandveld and Duineveld environment.
You can enjoy going in search of these creatures on walks and hikes and you’re bound to catch sight of some of the 153 species of birds found in the area too.
Otherwise, the bird hide offers a chance to spot flamingos, pelicans, fish eagles, gulls, egrets, and herons.
!Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre – Yzerfontein
The !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre offers insights into the traditional lifestyle of the San people, native in this area for millennia. You can enjoy this experience with tours, meals, exhibitions, or an overnight stay in one of the onsite luxury tents.
During the school holidays, the centre offers exciting programs for children under twelve including crafts, animal tracking and mountain biking.
Darling – R315, just 25km from Yzerfontein
This is one of South Africa’s best-known tiny towns with nary a tar road in sight. This charming village has maintained its old-world vibe for decades and offers wonderful cultural, natural, and foodie experiences. These include:
- Craft beer tours
- Olive farms
- Spring flowers
- Evita se Perron theatre
- Artisanal cheese, butter, toffee, and wine
The Darling Museum displays 19th century life, and the town also hosts a major arts festival and wildflower show every year.
West Coast National Park
Stretching from Yzerfontein to Langebaan, this glorious nature reserve is considered a natural area of international importance created to preserve the Langebaan lagoon, Saldana Bay Islands, rare mountain zebra, and over two hundred species of birds.
You can enjoy this wonderful environment on walks and drives, or seaside strolls with a chance to spot passing whales.
Langebaan – 130km from Cape Town
Langebaan is called the Jewel of the West Coast for good reason. Azure waters lap these lovely shores, and you can enjoy sunshine year-round at this popular tourist destination.
It’s a hotspot for water sports like kayaking, yachting, kitesurfing, and fishing, as well as fresh seafood dining.
The Thali Thali Game Lodge just outside town offers a chance to spot large game species like giraffe, Cape Buffalo, red hartebeest, kudu, oryx, and eland.
Hopefield – 32km Inland from Langebaan
Hopefield is a historic town, the oldest along the West Coast, found in a classic Zandveld environment along the Zoute River.
Along the R45 just outside Hopefield, you’ll find this laid-back farmstall with its green play areas, petting zoo, and infinite craft attractions. Enjoy coffee, meals, and arts pursuits at this rustic pitstop.
Here, heritage buildings abound, while the outskirts of the town are home to a modern windfarm, capable of powering 29 000 homes.
Saldanha – 21 km from Langebaan
South Africa’s largest natural bay is surrounded by a small holiday village complete with a naval and military training academy. The main things to do around here revolve around relaxed artisan dining, hiking, walking, whale watching and sightseeing.
On a clear day, you can see Table Mountain from the top of Adam and Eve, two tall vertical rocks on the mountain overlooking the town.
Paternoster – 25km from Saldanha
Another quintessential gem along the West Coast Route, Paternoster is most famous for its fine cuisine and tranquil atmosphere. It’s the home of Wolfgat, once renowned as the best restaurant in the world, and still has a waiting list a mile long.
Here, fishermen still set out every day in traditional coloured boats to see what the ocean has to offer, and you can also enjoy a host of activities on the water, such as kite surfing, diving, and kayaking. Landlubbers can enjoy a host of hiking and biking trails around town.
Nearby, you can explore South Africa’s last manned lighthouse in the serene Cape Columbine Nature Reserve.
Velddrif, Laaiplek & Bokkomlaan – 40km from Paternoster
Velddrif is a traditional fishing village located along the Berg River. It’s the home of South Africa’s salt industry and a haven for canoeists and anglers.
Here, you can sample traditional bokkoms (salted fish), browse art galleries or explore the canals of Port Owen at your leisure.
Kick Start Your Next Road Trip
Your Cape West Coast adventure begins when you book flights, accommodation, and car hire.
If you’d rather venture in another direction, you’ll find plenty of suggestions on our blog. Either way, head over to our car hire companies page and pick your mode of transport today.
