On this page the tour goes through the Overberg, Hermanus and the Southern tip of Africa.
The diversity of the natural environment in the Overberg is accompanied by an unsurpassed wealth of indigenous plants and animals. The region lies in the heart of the famous Cape Floristic Region with its well-known fynbos (fine-leafed) vegetation.
Bontebok National Park, situated in the Overberg, is home to rich birdlife, including the blue crane.
The Blue Crane is South Africa's national bird and is restricted as a breeding species to this country. About fifteen years ago, pastures were developed on a large scale in the Overberg and a man-made habitat was created that was crane friendly. About half the remaining Blue Crane population has found a sanctuary here.
The Region is known for dairy, wool, conola and wheat farming. The Overberg is also a world class wine-country-tourism destination and offers excellent wines.
The Overberg coast, also called the 'Whale Coast", has the distinction of splitting two oceans. At Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip. Whales swim near Hermanus, Grotto Beach and adjacent Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
Bontebok National Park, situated in the Overberg, is home to rich birdlife, including the blue crane.
The Blue Crane is South Africa's national bird and is restricted as a breeding species to this country. About fifteen years ago, pastures were developed on a large scale in the Overberg and a man-made habitat was created that was crane friendly. About half the remaining Blue Crane population has found a sanctuary here.
The Region is known for dairy, wool, conola and wheat farming. The Overberg is also a world class wine-country-tourism destination and offers excellent wines.
The Overberg coast, also called the 'Whale Coast", has the distinction of splitting two oceans. At Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip. Whales swim near Hermanus, Grotto Beach and adjacent Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
Day 1 we visit the lovely seaside town of Hermanus which is generally considered the best land-based whale-watching destination in the world. From June to December, the bay becomes the swimming grounds for a large number of southern right whales. Whales can be viewed from aboard a boat, an airplane or the shore.
The Cliff Path which wraps itself around the coastline of Hermanus offers beautiful views of the mountains, the ocean and the fynbos, during whale season the cliffs are the perfect vantage point to spot the Southern Right Whales.The secluded, rock-sheltered coves and the long, pristine beaches are perfect for strolling, swimming and surfing.
The Fernkloof Nature Reserve with over 1600 identified species of indigenous Fynbos has some stunning hikes, a mountain bike trail. Porcupines, baboon, klipspringer, grysbok, genet, mongoose and otter, and over 92 species of birds can been viewed in the reserve.
Day 3 today we walk in the beautiful Fynbos Nature Reserve. Please see Hiking Trails close to Cape Town page
Day 4 of our tour, we go on a Shark cage diving adventure and visit the The African penguin & Seabird Sanctuary in Kleinbaai.
Gansbaai is known as the great white shark capital of the world. Although most of the boats are launched from Kleinbaai. Besides the adrenaline rush it is also a very informative outing and one get to sea and learn more about many other marine species and birds. The crew of the various companies share their vast knowledge of the ocean during the cruise. One can view the great white sharks from the surface or underwater from a cage.
During the summer months, the sharks keep closer to shore and during winter they move to Shark Alley, a nearby channel created by two islands. Dyer Island with its endangered African Penguins and migrating bird colonies and Geyser Rock with its resident colony of 60 000 Cape Fur Seals.
The African penguin & Seabird Sanctuary in Kleinbaai. The Sanctuary provide temporary care to diseased, oiled or abandoned marine birds with special focus on the endangered African Penguin, in order to conserve and maintain populations.
Watch this video to see and learn more:
https://youtu.be/gNObWpkk0So
This is the place where you can put your one foot in the warmer Indian Ocean and the other in the cold Atlantic Ocean – at the same time.
Early Portuguese seafarers rounding this dangerous point called it L'Agulhas which means Cape of Needles (referring to the jagged rocks of the coastline and also the fact that a compass shows no real deviation between true north and magnetic north at this spot).
The beautiful, historic red and white lighthouse is the second oldest working lighthouse in South Africa It is definitely worth climbing the 71 steps leading to the top to enjoy the stunning views over the area.
West of the lighthouse is the entrance to the Agulhas National Park boasting 2000 species of indigenous plants in its 20 000 ha area. Do yourself a favor and hike one of the many picturesque trails amongst the Fynbos.
The Cape Agulhas Region is mostly a dairy, wool and wheat farming area, but having the Atlantic and Indian Oceans around it, fishing has been an important industry since the early days.
Day 6 and we visit Bettiesbaai, Stony Point, Harold Porter Botanical Garden and travel further via the extremely beautiful and scenic Clarence Drive.
In the 1930s three business partners acquired several farms with a view to developing a town. They were Arthur Youlden (after whose daughter, Betty, the towns was named); Harold Porter (who later donated his own farm as the basis of the present botanical gardens); and Jack Clarence, after whom the scenic drive is named.
The Harold Porter National Botanical Garden covers almost 200 ha between mountain and sea, in the heart of the Cape Fynbos region within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve and offer wonderful hiking opportunities.
Stony Point is located on the site of an early-20th-century whaling station, a much quieter place to watch the diminutive African Penguins
Day 7 we are going to dive for crayfish in Rooiels. There are a number of methods to catch crayfish. The most popular for the recreational fisherman is to dive for them. Swimming around in the kelp beds and looking under submerged rocks to see a feeler sticking out is the way it is done.
Divers will seldom see bare rock as every nook and cranny on the reef is carpeted by sea anemones of all colours imaginable, with feather stars in various hues of orange and brown, vying for space with soft corals in pinks and purples, making it a difficult task, yet very rewarding, to spot the many nudibranchs indemic to this region.
The crayfish season is in the South African summer but only certain days are allowed. Crayfish diving permit or license is required.
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