Overberg, South Africa

Rich in breathtaking scenery, the Overberg region begins an hour south east of Cape Town. A real treasure trove for visitors, places to visit include Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. The seaside town of Hermanus is well known for land-based whale watching. Great White Shark cage diving is a popular thrill for the adventurous. The glorious Hemel-en-Aarde wine region is well worth a visit. Arabella is a sought after golf and spa resort.

The region lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region - home to the greatest non-tropical concentration of plant species in the world and the only region to encompass an entire floral kingdom. The quaint fishing village of Arniston, the cosy town of Greyton and several nature reserves all combine to make this a magical part of your itinerary.

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The seaside resort of Hermanus in Walker Bay is blessed with scenic beauty, modern infrastructure, great restaurants and boutiques. This bustling little town is a favoured weekend getaway for many Capetonians.  Known as the heart of the whale route, this is where you will find the best land-based whale watching in the world.
Our recommended accommodation :
Birkenhead House, Ocean's Eleven and Grootbos.

Few predators on Earth rival the terrifying nightmares many associate with the Great White Shark. Marine Dynamics is based in the fishing village of Gansbaai, two hours from Cape Town. Separating two islands, six nautical miles out to sea is "Shark Alley" an excellent sighting spot. You will be in a steel cage that is secured to the side of a boat; buoys keep the top of the cage above the water. The trip lasts up to four hours and the weather can be unpredictable so be prepared if you get seasick. The best sightings are from May to September.

Southern Right Whales, protected internationally since 1935, are the whales most frequently seen along the Overberg coast. Other species do make an appearance occasionally. They start arriving in May to calf, raise their young or to mate. The season is from August to November. A 12km coastal cliff path in Hermanus gives whale watchers excellent opportunities to get within 20m of these gentle giants. Using his kelp horn, the only whale crier in the world keeps visitors informed of their daily whereabouts.   Places with fabulous views of the bay are Birkenhead House and Oceans Eleven.

Situated on the outskirts of Hermanus, the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley boasts some of the southernmost vineyards in Africa. The cool maritime climate, frost-free weather and rugged soil composition combine to make it the ideal location for the fussy Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay vines. In this picturesque valley, we recommend a unique wine tour to the Bouchard Finlayson, Hamilton Russel and La Vierge Vineyards.

The southernmost tip of Africa, it is the meeting place of the cold Atlantic and warm Indian Oceans. The coastline is notoriously stormy in winter. This Cape iswell known amongst sailors, and there have been many shipwrecks. The windswept, ruggedly beautiful coastal plain with its rich cultural and natural heritage has been proclaimed as the Agulhas National Park,home to lots of flamingos. Activities include a unique trail to traverse the southernmost tip of Africa and a visit to the lighthouse.

The Whale Coast boasts some of the finest golf courses in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are a golfer visiting this region, we suggest you consider : Arabella, Hermanus, Swellendam, Theewaterskloof and Villiersdorp Golf Clubs. The Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa golf course is ranked by Compleat Golfer magazine as the number one course in the Western Cape. It is also featured in Golf Digest's USA's Top 60 courses outside of America in 2007.