When we picked Langebaan as our South African weekend destination, I didn’t honestly know what we’d do there. Strike that; my plans actually were twofold: to eat good food and catch up on so many nights of missed sleep. So the fact that the area might very well be one of the more beautiful places I’ve visited in my recent travels was just the icing on the cake.
When reading up on Langebaan, I kept hearing all about the wild flowers. And lucky us, we were arriving at the beginning of the season. Only the manager at our B&B warned us to be sure and visit West Coast National Park before 3pm, otherwise “the flowers close.”
WHAT? How do flowers close, I pondered? I thought she was pulling my leg, only to find that yes indeed the flowers literally close up every afternoon as the cool coastal temps set in.
We made sure to get there very early in the day so we could frolic in the fields while the flowers were still open for business.
Of course one thing that accompanies flowers is the one thing that turns me into a huge screaming girl, and that’s creepy crawly insects. These weren’t just any insects either, but mutant horse flies that dive-bombed your head the second you got out of the car, biting at your ankles and leaving behind painful welts. Every time we pulled over for a photo stop, we’d all jump in and out of our Fiat in under five seconds to prevent our car from being swarmed.
Needless to say, our photos stops were brief, until we reached higher altitudes in the park and the density of bugs decreased significantly.
As Bernardine had not steered us wrong before, we took her dining advice yet again and had lunch at Geelbek, the only restaurant in the national park. Not only was the restaurant outdoors at the banks of the lagoon, but I will dream about that food for years to come. In fact, Kristin went as far to say our roti wrap was the best meal she’d ever had in her whole life. Bold claim, but I’d say it lived up to the hype.
The whole area is rife in wildlife, but the park is particularly known for its wide array of birds. We didn’t even have to venture away from our table to do a little bird-watching either, as dozens of these little yellow sprites burrowed into nests hanging in the trees that dotted the patio.
After we rolled ourselves out of Geelbek, our self-guided driving tour continued. While I’ve been on a true South African safari before, I still saw many insects and critters I’d never seen before. First, there was this rodent-like animal (I’d like to think it was a honey badger) whose name now escapes me. We didn’t get a close-up view of these guys, but they were sunbathing in clusters on rocks below us. While they most closely resemble a marmot in looks, their DNA is most similar to…an elephant! (I know, right? That blew my mind, too!) And they’re only found in the Western Cape.
Then, there were the man-eating grasshoppers. These suckers were massive, and as District 9 had been playing on a loop on the ship all week, I couldn’t help but think of them as prawns.
There were two animals we did know already. There was my friend the ostrich…
…of which we saw several darting frantically among the brush. But the second was the hare’s good pal, the tortoise. We couldn’t drive 500 feet without creating a surprisingly quick road block.
That old folk tale is completely inaccurate as those suckers are fast.
We stopped a couple of times so Brian could take some video footage, and he had to jog to keep up with the little guys!
We left the park as the flowers were closing and the surf was getting frenetic and our stomachs were starting to rumble. It was the best of weekends, and if ever I make good on my dream of picking up and moving my life to a sleepy coastal town, I’d say Langebaan will be a serious contender.
I hadn’t realised that wild flowers close in the late afternoon thanks to cooling temperatures. I guess what happens there is the opposite of what happens with the four o’clock flower?
I don’t even know what a four o’clock flower is! But yes, the countryside was significantly less yellow as we left the park after 3pm!
The four o’clock flower opens up in the late afternoon. I know that because we used to have them at my gran’s.
A) I kind of have the creepy crawlies just thinking of the insects you encountered.
2) I might be going to Scotland next (early) fall, so thank you for the note about the holiday cottages, I’m going to spend some time perusing the site.
III) That tortoise is too cute for words.
The whole bug factor is one reason I’m not sure I could do the Outback. I hear the flies are so bad that even with those crazy Crocodile Dundee-like hats and nets, they’re still dive-bombing your face. EW.
When you make it to Scotland (or start to plan your trip), please shoot me an email and I’ll give you my short list! Edinburgh is seriously my favorite city on the planet, and I’m long overdue for a trip back.
Oh, definitely! The last time I was in Scotland I was 12, so I’m guessing there MAAAAAYYYY have been some changes since then. 😉
I get so excited every time you post something…your work seems pretty effing glamorous!
Well, you just made my day! Thank you for the nice comment =)
Those tortoises are fast. But then so are the ostriches, especially the one I rode. I especially like the dazies, even if they are a little far away.
I’m not sure how the Tortoise was portrayed as so slow in the Tortoise and the Hare as that is most definitely inaccurate!
The flies look terrifying and disgusting and I ‘m really jealous of your tortoise encounters! And ostriches crack me up – they’re just so goofy looking I can’t help but laugh at them.
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Hi Paul! I don’t need anyone at this time; however, I will definitely keep you in mind for the future. Thanks so much for offering!
I love love love the wildflowers. So gorgeous!
I had a horse fly chase me for almost a mile one time – just repeatedly biting me. I’m so sorry! The pics are awesome though!
I feel like such a wuss, but bugs totally can make or break a trip–especially if you’re covered in welts!
Beautiful pictures! I really hope to visit SA soon!!!! Sounds like you are having a great time!!!
I love the seeberg photo, although I’m always a sucker for a good wide angle 🙂
ME TOO. I think we overuse the 10-20mm, but it’s just so much more fun than your standard lens!
Those little honey badger-esque things are adorable! I don’t see the relation to elephants though! Great photos. This trip just sounds absolutely phenomenal!
Bizarre, isn’t it? I just thought they were simple rodents!
That’s crazy that it was less yellow when you left!
A crazy, fun-filled weekend!
After living in Texas, I looove wild flower season!! South Africa just keeps coming up … I really want to go someday.
I was in South Africa a few years ago and loved it to bits. So much natural wonder. Thankfully, the flies were at bay during my time there though. 🙂
Great macro shot, love that last shot!!!
Woops meant shots!!!
You just taught me that Loch Lomond is a real brand…I first heard of it in Tintin comic books over 20 yrs ago, and only now do I discover that it exists. Thank you!
And I know nothing of these Tintin comic books, so we’re both learning here =)
(Loch Lomond is a famous, and beautiful, lake in Scotland! Though not the same loch/lake that houses that famous monster Nessie.)
The little rodents are called rock hyrax 🙂 they are related to the elephant and the manatee with similar physiological features such as their teeth, testes, leg bones and feet. The pictures look great I bet it was a blast!!
Why didn’t YOU take ME THERE???
Wow, looks amazing. Great pictures!
Just settled in Yzerfontein near Langebaan and loving it-saw 2 whales yesterday frolick on our pristene white beach front and yes the flowers are again in full bloom. Do drop me a mail when you’re around, love to show you more attractions in the area-the little ‘badgers’ are called dassies in SA.
Oh we also were privy to pass by Loch Lomond enroute to a fantastic holiday on the Isle of Skye. Just loved your take on the West Coast of SA-give us more please!
Lucky you! I think South Africa is probably my favorite of all countries in the world. Such fantastic scenery, rich culture and diversity. And thanks for the clarification on the badgers!
Funny to get your comment now, as I’m currently in St. Andrew’s with my family, en route to Loch Lomond and then Skye tomorrow!