The West Coast Fossil Park, Vredenburg, West Coast
The West Coast Fossil Park is one of the richest fossil fields on the planet and is home to an ancient Big Five, marine animals and Africa’s only bear. The site is world-renowned for its exceptionally well-preserved fossil faunal remains that date back to the Miocene/early Pliocene (circa 5.2 million years ago) periods.
A team of both national and international researchers are currently unraveling the fascinating history of fossils from the West Coast Fossil Park and attempting to recreate the environment and climate of the area some 5 million years ago. During this time many animals that are now extinct, such as saber-toothed cats, short-necked giraffes and African bears roamed the West Coast, which then had a more subtropical-type climate. Park info
Getting there: take the N1 out of Cape Town, after some 5 km, on your left, you will see the turn off onto the R27. Drive the R27 for roughly 110km until, on your left, you will see a large Engen 1 Stop Garage. Just past the garage take the first turning to your right, which is sign-posted Langebaanweg Airforce Base.Continue down the road for approximately 8km until the road meets a T-junction. Turn left onto the R45. Some 3km down the road on your left, you will see the entrance to the West Coast Fossil Park.
| More info on the town of Vredenburg | More info on The West Coast area |
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