Driving in Saldanha Bay, South Africa

Saldanha is located on Saldanha Bay, just 140kmand the Postberg section is open during the spring
north of Cape Town on the west coast. The bayand is full of mammals. West Coast Fossil Park is
was used for centuries as a sanctuary from stormylocated adjacent to the National Park - this is your
seas. Although there have been settlements andchance to see some of the animals that used to
villages around the harbour for a long time, the areafrequent this part of the world. Hoedjieskoppie
didn't really take off until WWII, when a military baseNature Reserve is the ideal place for bird and dolphin
was established in the bay, which necessitated thespotting and to check out the stunning scenery, while
piping of fresh water from the Berg River.the SAS Saldanha Nature Reserve is great for some
What to see in the Saldanha area?Southern Right Whale watching.
Saldanha has much to offer the adventurous touristWhy not hire a car?
who is interested in water-based activities such asSaldanha/Vredenburg Airport serves a number of
fishing, boat trips, yachting, sea kayaking anddomestic flights to major cities in South Africa such
shipwreck diving.as Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg. Cape
If, on the other hand, you don't have sea legs, thenTown is the nearest international airport.
you might be more interested in the horse ridingThe R27 connects you directly to Cape Town and
stables, the wagon rides or the hiking opportunities.the N7 passes through the West Coast area on its
The absolute best time to visit this area is in theway up to Namibia.
South African spring when the countryside is in bloomThe best way to get around Saldanha Bay and the
with colourful flowers. Other areas of interest includesurrounding area is by hiring a car. Public transport
Docs Cave, the World War II Coastal Cannonisn't great and you won't have the freedom to come
Battery and the French Huguenot Memorial.and go as you wish. You can pick up your car rental
Venturing out of town you'll find the West Coastat Saldanha/Vredenburg Airport or in the city
National Park. This is especially good for bird watchingVredenburg, 13km north of Saldanha.