Travel Adviser : Coast of ruffled feathers at the Cape West Coast

HOW TO GET THERE

Depending on traffic, Langebaan is about an hour’s drive from Cape Town. Follow
the R27 north for about 110 km, then turn west to Langebaan about 10 km further
on.

Langebaan to Redelinghuys takes about two hours, depending on how many stops
you make for birds. Follow the R27 north to Velddrif, about 40 km from Langebaan.
Look for flamingos, spoonbills and other waterbirds at the sewage works on your
way in to Velddrif. There are a few ways to get to Redelinghuys. For birds,
take the coastal dirt road north to Dwarskersbos and Elands Bay to stop in at
the lovely Rocher Pan Nature Reserve (R25 entrance) where there are excellent
waders providing the pan has water (early summer is best). From there, proceed
further along the road to a T-junction, turn left towards Soutkuil and follow
the signs to Redelinghuys.

The Elands Bay road from Redelinghuys follows the edge of Verlorevlei for about
25 km. After about 20 km, turn right to Lambert’s Bay on a tarred road and follow
the signs to Lambert’s Bay about 40 km further on.

WHAT TO DO

Sea kayaking at Langebaan is the only way to get close to the birds on Schaapen
Island; it’s a great outing. A morning trip costs R175 a person with kayaks
and breakfast included. Book an overnight kayaking trip which includes a stay-over
at a beach camp in the national park for R745 a person. Contact Gravity Adventure
Group on 021-683-1159 or e-mail andrew@gravity.co.za.

West Coast Fossil Park: A super morning’s activity for a look into the past,
tours are fascinating and superbly presented. Phone 022-766-1606.

WHEN TO GO

Summer is best for seeing waders, but time your visit for early in the season
when the pans are most likely to still have water and before the southeaster
blows all the birds away. Late October through November is probably ideal.

WHAT TO TAKE

Binoculars, obviously. A scope is great for use at the hides. Bring all the
bird books you have, and it’s well worth purchasing a copy of Callan Cohen’s
and Claire Spottiswoode’s guide, Essential Birding Western Southern Africa (Struik,
Cape Town).

Further Reading

Getaway has published a number of stories on the area and it’s an idea to visit
http://www.-getawaytoafrica.com/index for archived features. Specifically worth a mention
are Justin Fox’s articles on the gannet colony in Lambert’s Bay (September 2001)
and Verlorevlei (December 2000).