West Coast National Park

"We want to get out of Cape Town. Please tell us this will be an escape!This idyllic national park is just about an hour north of Cape Town, but feels worlds away from the city's chaos. Anyone who knows about Cape Town beaches will tell you that the Atlantic waters in this part of the world are nippy at best, yet somehow, the coves and lagoons of this park feel at least a few degrees warmer than their counterparts to the south. It's rugged and beautiful, and a great slice of South Africa's distinctive natural landscape. Fun! If we have time to plan ahead, what's the best season to visit the park?Come every August and September, as the region's wet winters begin to give way to spring, the northern reaches of South Africa give way to a stunning natural phenomenon that's like a spring version of the fall foliage of New England; here, the otherwise arid landscapes erupt with colorful wildflowers as far as the eye can see. This landscape trickles down as far south as the West Coast National Park, where, if your timing is right, you'll be welcomed by vast fields of colorful spring flowers unfolding in all directions. We'll keep it in mind. Was it easy to get around?As in all national parks and public areas in South Africa, this one is fairly well signposted and easy to navigate. It sounds great. One last thing—who do you think it's best suited for?This is a great destination for wildlife lovers, with plenty of gorgeous trails for hiking, beaches for swimming, and fields of spring flowers for frolicking. There's also plenty of wildlife, though the animals can be shy." - Sarah Khan