Wild Heart of the West Coast

From wildflower safaris and horseback rides on the reserve to the salt-sprayed shores of Yzerfontein just minutes away, the West Coast offers a rich tapestry of experiences. Whether you prefer to venture out on your own or let the Rooikat team curate your adventure, the bush, beach, and village life are all within easy reach.

Where Exploration Begins

Nature & Wildlife

Get picked up from your doorstep for a game drive or horseback safari on the reserve. Take in the splendour of the west coast flower season from your deck (Aug-Oct), or go hiking in West Coast National Park around the corner.

Game drives and horseback safaris on the reserve. And a unique place to stay in the middle of the West Coast flower season

Beach & Ocean

Go for a walk on South Africa’s longest beach (16 Mile Beach), or head out on the water for a whale watching sea safari or try your luck at fishing at Dassen Island,

Food & Wine

Yzerfontein (15mins away) offers a selection of charming restaurants, and a boutique wine cellar (Blakes Wines). Go for a gin tasting around the corner at the Weskus Padstal, or head out a bit further to Darling for wine tastings at Groote Post or Darling Cellars.

Go for dinner in Yzerfontein, or visit one of the Vineyards in the Darling area. Looking for something stronger, visit the tasting room at wright’s gin at the Weskus Padstal.

Culture & History

Visit the !Khwa Ttu San Heritage Centre to get a better understandings of the lives and history of the original inhabitants of the West Coast. Or take a lighter harted excursion to visit Dirk Uys’ Evita se Peron in Darling for a satiric museum/deli experience

The !Khwa Ttu San Heritage Centre offers our guests a chance to learn more about the history of the original inhabitants of the West Coast

Action & Adventure

The West Coast is a treat for Kite Surfers, with Langebaan Lagoon not far off, and for a Quad or 4×4 adventure head towards the Atlantis dunes.

Game Drives

Game drives at the West Coast Private Game Reserve offer a classic safari experience with a uniquely West Coast twist. Set out in the early morning or late afternoon with an expert guide to track and observe wildlife including giraffe, kudu, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, springbok, and even elusive species like caracal and porcupine.

The reserve’s rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes—ranging from open plains to endangered fynbos biomes—make every drive a visual feast. Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or new to the experience, each outing brings fresh encounters and a deeper appreciation for this wild, coastal wilderness.

Also available for day visitors

Horseback Safari

Exploring the West Coast Private Game Reserve on horseback offers a truly immersive safari experience. Moving quietly through the landscape, riders can get closer to the wildlife—giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and more—without disturbing the natural rhythm of the bush. It’s a peaceful, yet exhilarating way to experience the reserve’s beauty.

Suitable for all riding levels, these guided safaris let you connect deeply with the land, whether you’re trotting across open plains or weaving through fynbos-covered trails. With panoramic views and the gentle sounds of nature around you, a horseback safari is one of the most memorable ways to encounter the West Coast’s wild side.

Also available for day visitors

Whale Watching

Our reserve is uniquely located allowing you to experience both land and sea safaris. After spotting giraffe, zebra, and wildebeest on game drives across the fynbos-rich West Coast Private Game Reserve, take to the ocean for a whale-watching adventure just 15 minutes away in Yzerfontein.

This intimate, one-day boat trip brings you up close with supergroups of humpback whales—sometimes hundreds at a time—feeding and breaching during the season (Nov–Jan). You might also encounter dolphins, sunfish, seals, and seabirds.

A truly wild, West Coast experience from bush to beach. Look for the Surf and Turf Safari Package on our accommodations page to get the best deal.

!Khwa Ttu

The !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre offers guests a rare and respectful glimpse into the world of Southern Africa’s First People. Located just 15 minutes from Rooikat Safari Collection, this award-winning cultural centre combines museum-quality exhibitions with guided experiences led by San storytellers. Learn about ancient tracking techniques, healing plants, and the modern-day challenges faced by the San communities.

Whether you explore the interactive exhibits, join a bush walk, or enjoy a meal infused with indigenous flavours, !Khwa ttu is an enriching addition to your West Coast stay. It’s a powerful way to deepen your understanding of the land, the people who first knew it, and the ongoing relationship between culture, nature, and survival.

Flower Season

From August to October, the West Coast bursts into colour as wildflowers blanket the landscape in vibrant shades of yellow, pink, purple, and white. This short but spectacular season is one of South Africa’s natural wonders—made even more special when experienced from Rooikat Safari Collection.

During flower season, game drives take on a magical quality. Giraffe, zebra, springbok, and other wildlife move through fields of blooming fynbos, creating a unique blend of safari and floral spectacle. Whether on a vehicle or horseback, it’s an unforgettable way to experience the wild beauty of the West Coast.

Fishing

Set out from Yzerfontein Harbour aboard a well-equipped charter for an unforgettable fishing adventure around famed Dassen Island, just 7–10 km offshore. Target fish are Cape snoek—especially between October and March—plus seasonal yellowtail and occasional tuna further offshore.

Whether it’s battling hard‑fighting pelagics or soaking in the beauty of seabirds and seals around Dassen, a Yzerfontein charter delivers a vibrant mix of angling excitement and West Coast marine spectacle.