West Coast Fossil Park
West Coast Fossil Park
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
199 reviews
Excellent
124
Very good
63
Average
9
Poor
0
Terrible
3
Travel Bee
Kloof, South Africa75 contributions
Jan 2021 • Solo
The huge Lotto funded building and infrastructure leads you to expect more. Lots of modern rubber and driftwood sculptures, large murals and written information but I expected more actual fossils. I understand that it focuses on local conditions but perhaps they could purchase fossils from other areas or eras to add interest and not remain so narrowly focussed. The guide did well to make the tour more interactive but the museum displays need work.
Written January 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joe P
Pretoria, South Africa194 contributions
Sep 2021
A museum on three levels sound impressive. But the few poster displays and "bones" where unimpressive. It took us about 15 minutes to study all the displays and artworks. We were told that hundreds of fossils and pieces were unearthed. Were are they? Interesting though.
The restaurant however was quite a surprise. very good food for such a "remote" place.
The restaurant however was quite a surprise. very good food for such a "remote" place.
Written September 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rudene
Plettenberg Bay, South Africa34 contributions
Sep 2023 • Friends
I was not aware of this place and was told of it by a fellow guest at a lodge we were staying at.
We went there and what an amazing surprise !
We first went on a flower walk with a guide book and then visited the museum
I was blown away and was so sad that we could not stay for the tour due to time constraints.
My friend had a query about a specific plant in her garden which the botanist could not immediately fully answer. But as we made our way to the car, she ran after us and provided us with all the information we needed. That is commitment to your work.
Do yourself a favor and go and visit this place. It is truly worth it!
We went there and what an amazing surprise !
We first went on a flower walk with a guide book and then visited the museum
I was blown away and was so sad that we could not stay for the tour due to time constraints.
My friend had a query about a specific plant in her garden which the botanist could not immediately fully answer. But as we made our way to the car, she ran after us and provided us with all the information we needed. That is commitment to your work.
Do yourself a favor and go and visit this place. It is truly worth it!
Written September 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gid C
Lusaka Province, Zambia27 contributions
Jan 2022
We were completely blown away by the sight of the fossils at the dig site - just couldn't believe our eyes. Thank you to our guide who really brought to life this astonishing wonder of nature and testament to the archeolgists who continue to study this extraordinary area. We learnt so much and will never forget it. Also - congratulations on an outstanding facility - the buildings, the art works, in particular the exquisite sculptures by Egon Tania, and the museum are world class.
Written January 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Guide22444882213
1 contribution
Sep 2023 • Solo
Since I moved to Vredenburg, I have visited the museum twice. My goal was just to check it out. From an artist perspective, the museum seems to be done with an extremely tight budget in mind. I do not care for impression wood scultpures and large digital printings on a wall. As a torist, I would love to know how everything looked with scientific accuracy. Very few bones displayed in museum. Penny wise - Pound foolish. Unfortunately the government does not prioritize archeologists and museums. Not much eye candy for a curious mind.
I also noticed many fossil areas on the west coast that is not protected and are destroyed by erosion and estates. There is no fouders fee for those who discover fossils. Thus citizens don't take it seriously to preserve it.
The museum has great potential. And I would love to see it flourish.
I also noticed many fossil areas on the west coast that is not protected and are destroyed by erosion and estates. There is no fouders fee for those who discover fossils. Thus citizens don't take it seriously to preserve it.
The museum has great potential. And I would love to see it flourish.
Written August 9, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
margie v
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa107 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
A hidden gem explaining historic facts in pictorial detail that were beautifully illustrated and tastefully displayed. The Western Cape Chef School supply delicious millionaires shortbread and tasty food at the onsite restaurant. Tours are provided but we were able to understand the amazing displays easily. Staff were informed and friendly. Highly recommended.
Written August 20, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heatherybluff
George, South Africa144 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
We were advised to go and visit this place by our guesthouse host, and it was well worth the trip. The entrance fee is well worth it just to help keep this gem open! The talk by our guide was very interesting and she was able to answer all our group’s questions adequately. It was fascinating at the dig site to see the sheer volume of fossils captured in this small area. I just wish the dig could continue so more of these treasures could be uncovered! Hopefully the full skeleton of the African bear will be moved back to where it was discovered. The walk around the museum was very educational.
Written February 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rick W
Sevenoaks, UK2,341 contributions
Feb 2024 • Couples
The West Coast Fossil Park was substantially upgraded and improved in 2018 and made a fascinating visit of about two hours. The place now has a small museum and a great coffee/lunch place. Each day there are three guided tours (About 40 minutes) and this gave us good explanations of what we were seeing. When you get to the fossil area you see a mass of bones from animals that lived 8 million years ago and in many cases are now extinct. The includes the African lion and the Sivatherium (a short necked giraffe). There are models of the Sivatherium in the museum too. We found the place fascinating and enjoyed our visit very much!
Written February 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kobus
Sasolburg, South Africa205 contributions
Dec 2020 • Family
See the Westcoast with new eyes. Unbelievable to say tje least. Thanks for preserving the fossils. You must join a group. The light humour of our guide was well received and made it interesting. You have to take your kids there. A small shop on premises.
Written February 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ferne
Cape Town Central, South Africa9 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
Andile was our guide. Wow, he was informative and engaging. High five to you for your knowledge. Loved the tour, loved the environment and importantly learnt so much. Who knew that South Africa once had bears. Restaurant food was amazing. Staff friendly and welcoming. I highly recommend Andile as your guide and to the Chefs, well done.
Written September 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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