Kayak in Walker Bay
Explore the water of the magical Walker Bay coastline by sea kayak. Famous for its whale sightings, these waters are also home to cape fur seals, penguins and more, while the trained guides will ensure none of the animals are interfered with, as the kayaks are always kept at a safe distance.
Struisbaai Sea Shack
Struisbaai might not be the first coastal town on your list of getaways, but it should be. This little seaside town is an unassuming piece of paradise, with its deep turquoise waters, white stretch of beach perfect for family holidays. It also has an epic, long boardwalk that leads directly to the Sea Shack an awesome restaurant and bar built right on the beach. Panoramic views of the ocean and chilled, kid-friendly vibes make this the perfect spot to put your feet up after a day at the beach.
MTB Trails
Mountain bikers will rejoice at the prospect of a trip to the Cape Oveberg with some of the best trails in the country to explore here. Elgin, Swellendam, Gansbaai, the list goes on, with the region’s diverse terrain set to challenge and excite MTB enthusiasts with everything from jeep track and singletrack to big climbs and mad descents.
The Whale Trail
Stretching over 55km, and including five overnight stops, the Whale Trail run from Potberg to Koppie Alleen, providing nature lovers the opportunity to explore unrivalled natural diversity.
Bontebok National Park
With the backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains and the Breede River running alongside it, the Bontebok National Park is the perfect day-trip and stayover. Rich in both flora and fauna, and a perfect place for birdwatching, the park has UA accommodation for those looking to stay overnigh.
Cape Canopy Tours
Start your day with high adventure – and we mean ‘high’. The Cape Canopy zipline in the Hottentot’s Holland Nature Reserve is high-flying fun as you make your way down a total of 11 slides, the longest being 320m, taking in the beauty of your surroundings from an aerial vantage point. Open to ages 5-75, this is something the whole family can enjoy.
Whale Watching in Hermanus
You simply cannot visit the Overberg without stopping over in Hermanus for some whale watching. Considered the heart of the whale route, Hermanus is perfect for land-based whale watching and sea-faring tours. To fully immerse yourself in the whale experience, visit Hermanus during the first week of October when the seaside town hosts an annual whale festival—a celebration of all things cetacean.
Stanford boat cruise
The beautiful, charming town of Stanford is a must-visit while in the Cape Overberg and while you are there, you HAVE to take a cruise up and down the fantastic Klein River located at the bottom of town.
Peregrine
Part of any road trip through the Overberg, a stopover at Peregrine’s Farm Stall is basically the law. Based in the Elgin Valley, Peregrine has been serving road-trippers for generations with its homemade fare and country hospitality. The farm stall has added a restaurant and a great play area for the kids and the good news is that it has still managed to keep its homely charm.
Oudebosch Eco Cabins
It’s the quiet that you notice first. The tranquillity and peaceful solitude you experience when surrounded by nothing but mountains, lush green plants and clear, blue skies. No television, (very) limited wifi access and not a satellite dish in sight, the Oudebosch Eco Cabins at Kogelberg are ideal for those looking to get off the grid. It’s also a must for your Oveberg Bucket List.
Elgin Wine Valley
While not as well-known as some of the other wine valleys in the Western Cape, the Elgin Valley, at 350-metres above sea level, is South Africa’s coolest climate wine region. There are large number of wine farms in the region, all with their own unique characteristics and offerings. Picnic on their lawns, stay over at their accommodation or simply stop in for a wine tasting, it’s up to you how much time you want to spend exploring the farms (we recommend you take your time) and exactly which you would like to visit (we, of course, recommend stopping in at all of them!). The wines produced in Elgin are predominantly fruity, with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir and Shiraz traditionally doing well in the region.
Hickory Shack
In the tradition of Texas-BBQ cooking, Hickory Shack has created a smokehouse in Elgin Valley, where wood-fires and blue smoke set the perfect moment for the pit-masters craft. Electric smokers are never used here, only local wood and organic chips, with a firm belief that only time will serve the cut. A popular stopover for weekend warriors making use of the valley, Hickory Shack is quickly becoming the place to be in Elgin.
Fat Bikes in Gansbaai
Perfect for families looking for a bit of adventure, without too much hard work, the fat bike tours in Gansbaai combine incredible views, fresh air and some adrenaline-fuelled downhill dune racing! To be honest, apart from a couple of smallish climbs, most of the Sand Dunes tour is downhill or flat, meaning just about anybody can take part, even those with limited fitness levels. Other tours offered are the Hermanus Beach Trail, the DeKelders – Hermanus Beach Trail and for the fitter riders, The EPIC, which can last up to five hours.
Stay at the Log Home
A Log Home in Swellendam will give you just the break from the grind that you need. Off the grid, this self-catering log home is the perfect stopover, with a small pool to soak your feet, and body, a comfortable sitting area and a lovely outside area, complete with a big fire pit for cooking. The wifi signal is weak, but you won’t be needing that right? There are plenty of trails to explore around the home. while the Marloth Mountain Reserve is just 15 minutes away.
Speaking of which…
Marloth Mountain Nature Reserve
The Marloth Mountain Nature Reserve is one of the most unspoilt reserves in the country. It is also arguably one of the most unheralded. Hidden away in the imposing Swellendam Mountains, Marloth is a gem of a reserve with some of the best hikes in the country, including the six-day Swellendam Trail, which is a must for serious hikers.
Quad biking in Hermanus
Rated as one of the top quad trails in the country, the route takes you through the world-renowned vineyards of Hamilton Russell and Southern Right wineries, up the mountain – passing through beautiful fynbos – with your halfway point one of the most epic views in the Western Cape.
Cheese Tasting in Stanford
All cheese is made using age-old artisanal methods on the Klein River Farmstead in Stanford. They only use locally sourced, pasture-fed cow’s milk that is pasteurized according to legislation, enjoy a cheese tasting or picnic while kids have fun on the rolling lawns and kids’ play area.
Wine Route with Hermanus Wine Hoppers
Hop-on Hop-off safari-style and discover the boutique wineries of the beautiful Hemel & Aarde Valley in a truly unforgettable way.
Retro ride in Greyton
Hire a retro bicycle in in Greyton! Explore this awesome little town on stylish bicycles. Park your ride and enjoy lunch at the quaint Brewers Bistro Restaurant, at The Old Potters Inn.
Verona’s for umqombothi beer
Depart for Zwelihle and stop at Verona’s for umqombothi - a local beer which is made from maize, maize malt, sorghum malt, yeast and water.
De Kelders Freshwater Drip Cave
As unassuming as the town in which it is found, the entrance to De Kelders Freshwater Drip Caves does not give away any of the magic found inside. It looks like an old sewer entrance, but it’s anything but that, with the caves home to some incredible stories, indelibly linked not only to the history of the Overberg, but the Western Cape as a whole. We won’t spoil the stories for you, but like the town, this natural drip cave is far more than meets the eye, with the pools buried beneath the rock just one of the jaw-dropping factors to be viewed.
Coffee on the Rocks for whale watching
Gansbaai has become synonymous with the Great White Shark, with the apex predator a big drawcard for many visitors, but the bay is also home to Southern Right Whales, who are often seen swimming close to shore. Coffee on the Rocks is a great place to put your feet up, grab a coffee and a bite to eat, all while watching these incredible animals breaching just a couple of 100 metres from your seat. It is arguably one of the best spots to view whales in the Western Cape without having to board a boat.
Agulhas Lighthouse
Located at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, the Cape Agulhas lighthouse was the third to be built in South Africa, and is the second-oldest still operating, after the Green Point lighthouse in Cape Town.
