Five Things You Didn t Know About West Africa Hiking Tips
The West Coast of South Africa is definitely an alluring place that holds a special magic that remains with you a long time after you've got gone home. The contrasting landscapes hold legends, history and beauty from delicate daisies, forgotten shipwrecks, crashing waves, misty mountains and adventure sand dunes.
An obvious time for you to visit the West Coast is in spring when the barren landscape transforms in to a magic carpet of colour. The Namaqualand daisies are famous worldwide for their beauty and splendour and also a tour from Cape Town to Springbok can make you feel like you have taken a magic carpet ride to a fairytale land with millions of daisies stretching as far as the eye are able to see.
The coast is dotted with quaint fishing villages including Paternoster, Saldanha and Lambert Bay, where the local fishermen earn money out of the ocean. These villages are well worth a visit and should you have the palate, you can try the local delicacy, bokkoms, which is fish biltong or dried and salted fish. Should you not mind the icy cold water, dress up within your diving suit and try your hand at catching your own crayfish. Do not forget that you will need a permit and it is best to check with the locals where the top and safest spots are.
The best town on the West Coast is Langebaan, an idyllic little seaside town about an hours drive outside of Cape Town. This village is popular for its lagoon, water sports, course, restaurants and stunning accommodation. Die Strandloper in Langebaan is a unique restaurant on the beach and is famous for it's fresh and delectable seafood and the experience rather than the eating.
Inland you shall find the charming little village of Darling tucked away between vineyards and wheat fields. Victorian homes and old trees made an idyllic setting and it is traditionally called the home of well recognized satirist Peter-Dirk Uys. His theatre, Evita se Perron, is a cabaret venue and restaurant and is named after his alter ego, Evita Bezuidenhout.
The Cederberg region includes Clanwilliam, Citrusdal and also the spectacular Cederberg mountain range and is popular for its world class climbing and hiking and is home to historic bushmen paintings. The solitude and breathtaking natural beauty of the place is captivating.
Further up the West Coast you will come across isolated places that escape the tourism brochures. One particular place is Noup about 6 hours drive from Cape Town. The divers cottages overlooking the Atlantic provide remarkable sunsets as well as a magical stay. Crayfishing, hidden surf spots, 4x4ing and shipwreck tours are a few of the activities you can engage in with locals.
