Nature Reserves
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Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve Discover Elandsfontein’s rich fossil heritage on a guided Quad Bike Fossil Safari or 4WD Nature Drive.
The dunes on Elandsfontein are the final resting place of early humans and animals that date back to the early Stone Age. The safari includes a rest stop where light refreshments are served. All quad bikes have fully automatic gearboxes to ensure that even novice riders can enjoy this unique experience. To manage the impact on the dunes the number of quad bikes is limited to eight, but each quad bike is big enough for two passengers.
Watch wildlife in comfort during the 4WD Nature Drive. Originally the home of the largest inward migration of game in the history of the Western Cape, Elandsfontein is waiting to be discovered by nature lovers. Guests on the three hour nature drive can expect to see include eland, hartebeest, zebra, wildebeest, oryx, kudu, bontebuck, springbuck and Cape buffalo, the first of the Big Five to be reintroduced into the reserve. Unspoilt nature and rich and diverse birdlife complete the experience. The safari includes a rest stop where light refreshments are served.
Things to do near
Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Animal Parks
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Langebaan (9.3 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Privately owned Thali-Thali borders the West Coast National Park near Langebaan. The reserve is home to abundant birdlife and a wide variety of antelope. Kudu, oryx, giraffe, red hartebeest, eland, zebra, springbok, black wildebeest, duiker, bontebok and steenbok are all easy to spot. Guests are free to explore on foot to view the birds and animals.
Nature Reserves
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West Coast National Park (13.3 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) About an hour’s drive north of Cape Town, the West Coast National Park stretches from Yzerfontein up to the edge of Langebaan.
The park surrounds most of the enormous Langebaan Lagoon, a water sports junkie’s paradise with awesome kayaking, snorkelling and some of the best windsurfing and kite surfing on the planet.
In summer, migratory water birds flock in thousands from as far away as northern Eurasia. In the middle of the lagoon is Schaapen Island, a bird sanctuary that is off limits, but you can paddle close to it and watch the garrulous marine birds.
The park is a good place for cycling and spotting eland and small animals but the star attraction is the spring wildflower spectacle. Kraalbaai has a few lovely houseboats for rent and there’s a superb restaurant at Geelbek. Bicycles and canoes can be hired in Langebaan.
Golf Courses
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Langebaan (16.6 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Langebaan Country Estate features a beautiful 18-hole golf course, set amongst the splendid natural surroundings of Langebaan, teeming with flowers and wildlife.
This Gary Player inspired course will provide a good challenge to players of all skill levels. The clubhouse is open to visitors, members and residents alike, and boats lovely facilities such as a restaurant, lounge, a dedicated smoking area at the bar, and even an under-cover braai area. The on-site pro shop is well stocked to match any golfer's needs.
Additional facilities include a driving range and mashie course, perfect for practising, or just to enjoy a quick and relaxed round with the family.
To Be Determined
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Langebaan (17.5 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Paradise Beach is a private beach in a private resort situated on the Langebaan Lagoon. The beach is surrounded by residential properties, perfect for a beach getaway.
Popular Attractions
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Langebaan (17.6 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Oliphantskop Horse Trails has been in operation for years and prides itself in providing splendid scenic horse-back rides.
The Langebaan ride is about 1 hour which leads through the granite quarries, to the highest point above Langebaan, providing a beautiful view of the town and ocean. Ideal for beginners and advanced riders, even children.
Beaches
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Calypso Beach (18.3 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Calypso Beach on Langebaan Lagoon is a pristine West-facing beach with warm water. As there are no currents, it is perfect for swimming and bodysurfing in small waves. Occasionally there are surfing conditions when large winter swell wraps through the lagoon mouth.
The water is shallow and inviting and the beach has some windless zones neatly tucked out of the South Easter. The best part about this beach is the ease of access and privacy.
Galleries and Museums
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Langebaan (18.4 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Five million years ago the Cape’s West Coast was very different from what it is today. A wide range of animals (now extinct) lived in riverine forests, wooded savannah, and ocean as well as on offshore islands.
Phosphate mining operations at Langebaanweg uncovered one of the richest fossil sites in the world.
Over the past 40 years bones of 200 different kinds of animals, many of them new to science have been recovered. A few years after mining operations ceased in 1993, a 14 hectare fossil-rich area within the mine property was declared a National Heritage Site.
The West Coast Fossil Park, a component of Iziko Museums, offers visitors an opportunity to have an on-site fossil experience.
Learn about mysterious ancient environments, fascinating animal life and the climatic changes that occurred in this region 5 million years ago on a guided tour. The West Coast Fossil Park also has a kiddie’s play park, gift shop, picnic areas as well as a lovely coffee shop.
Need to know? The main tour runs from 11:30 – 13:00 every day of the week and includes a slide presentation and visit to the dig site. Mini tours are available every hour from 9:00 –15:00 weekdays (except at 12:00); phone +27 (0) 22 766 1606 for mini tour times over weekends and public holidays. The mini tour includes a visit to the dig site.
Four By Four Trails
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Yzerfontein (18.8 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Buffelsfontein 4x4 is a sand route in the Buffelsfontein Nature Reserve just outside Yzerfontein. An entry fee is asked per vehicle and possibly per person. This is a fantastic adventure for the family as the trail has a grading of 1 to 3 and has a braai and picnic spot in the halfway mark of the route. The trail is 14 km long on a two-way drive, one-way is 7 km, and takes 1 to 3 hours to complete - you can redo this trail as many times as you like. It is recommended that drivers take a spade and maybe a compressor in case.
Beaches
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Langebaan (19.1 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) This beautiful stretch of beach is about 500 m south of the main beach. Here you will find the Langebaan Yacht Club, and the mooring spots for yachts and motorboats. Warm waters can sometimes be find, but swimmers need to take heed of strong currents.
Beaches
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Langebaan (19.1 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Langebaan’s main beach is long, wide, white and sandy, providing an amazing launch spot for numerous lagoon-based watersports.
This family friendly, safe beach is right in the centre of Langebaan and is easily accessible. The main road leading to Langebaan Beach is conveniently lined with shops and restaurants.
Dams Vleis
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Langebaan (19.5 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Langebaan Lagoon is a salt-water body of water which has been the main attraction for visitors and residents of Langebaan alike.
It's soft white sands make for excellent swimming and water sports of many varieties. On a windless day, put your kayak to water, or see the day breaking on a stand-up paddle board. Welcome the wind with a kite, windsurf board or sailing dinghy.
Beaches
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Kraalbaai (20.5 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Kraalbaai is a beautiful beach on the shores of the popular Langebaan Lagoon. Perfect for families and water sport fanatics, Kraalbaai Beach offers opportunities for kayaking, skiing, boating, fishing and angling. Sun worshippers can enjoy sea and sand, and a good old South African braai or a picnic.
Nature Reserves
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West Coast National Park (22.9 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Postberg is one of the best places on the West Coast to see fields of wild flowers. This section of the West Coast National Park is only open to visitors during spring.
You can do some game viewing from your own vehicle. It’s easy to spot a variety of antelope ranging from Africa's largest, the eland, to pronking springbok or maybe a shy little greysbok.
Ostrich and their chicks wander about and if you've got sharp eyes you will discover tortoises, field mice, mongoose and myriads of birds, bees and butterflies. There are also a few great viewpoints for whale watching.
Picnic, barbecue and ablution facilities are available for day visitors. There is a shop at the entrance that sells various field guidebooks. Entry is free to Wild Card holders.
Four By Four Trails
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Yzerfontein (23.7 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Blombosch 4x4 Nature Trail is located just outside of Yzerfontein along the West Coast in the Western Cape. The trail aim was for adventurers to experience the Sandveld vegetation. The sandy route may require drivers to deflate their 4x4 or 2x4 vehicle tyres. The trail has a 1 to 2 grading and is 13.5 km long; it takes approximately 2 hours to do the entire trail. This self-drive route requires low range, high clearance vehicles and is open all year round.
Tourist attractions are the limestone ridges, natural saltpans, old dune vegetation, lowveld fynbos and sea vistas.
Beaches
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Yzerfontein (27.6 km from Elandsfontein Private Nature Reserve) Yzerfontein is mostly known for having wonderful spring wildflowers, great kitesurfing and windsurfing, and good fishing. It’s also known for the seemingly endless stretch of 16 Mile Beach, starting in the south at Yzerfontein Main Beach. A beachfront restaurant maximizes the view. There are public ablutions and just south of the beach is the interesting village harbour.
Photo source: en.wikipedia.org