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.
Lying between the Cape Peninsula and the Garden Route, the Cape Overberg is a place that boasts great diversity with coastal towns such as Hermanus, known as the jewel of the Cape Whale Coast for its abundance of marine wildlife, the beautiful Elgin Valley, an under-appreciated wine region and Swellendam, a jaw-dropping beautiful natural wonderland, combining to create a region unlike any other.
With a landscape dominated by gentle, undulating hills, enclosed by the ocean and foreboding mountain ranges, the Cape Overberg is a favourite getaway for those seeking outdoor pursuits and adventure.
Hermanus, the most prominent town in the Cape Overberg, is less than two hours' drive from Cape Town. Most of the route is undertaken on a national highway (the N2) meaning the drive will be smooth and enjoyable. You will also be treated to a drive across Sir Lowry's Pass which is breathtaking to say the least.
Top tip: Use Hermanus as a convenient base to explore the surrounding countryside.
Hermanus has been rated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) as one of the 12 best whale watching locations in the world, and is regarded as the heart of the whale route in South Africa. Time your trip with the arrival of calving season for incredible sights of these creatures.
Walker Bay in Hermanus is known for attracting southern right whales from July to November; humpback whales from May to December and Bryde's whales all year round. Orcas are also occasionally spotted in these waters.
Cape Overberg Towns
Caledon
In the heart of the Cape Overberg, Caledon is situated on the slopes of the Klein Swartberg Mountains on the N2, 120km east from Cape Town.
Elgin Valley
Travel over the scenic Sir Lowry’s Pass to the Elgin Valley, the gateway to the Cape Overberg, or alternatively take a leisurely drive via the Gordon’s Bay-Rooi Els-Betty’s Bay–Kleinmond coastal route.
Bredasdorp
Bredasdorp is the economic hub of the dairy, wool and wheat farming Cape Agulhas region. De Hoop Nature Reserve, the flagship of Cape Nature Conservation is nearby, covering 60 000 hectares of endangered fynbos (Cape Flora).
Suurbraak
Suurbraak is a small rural village close to Swellendam and is mainly a farming community. Originally established as a mission station in the folds of the Langeberg Mountains, the village is well worth a visit for its sense of history alone.
Barrydale
The peaceful town of Barrydale is situated between the fertile Tradouw Valley on one side and the semi-arid Klein Karoo on the other.
L'Agulhas
L'Agulhas gets its rich heritage from the shipwreck survivors of many nationalities who settled in this desolate place.
Cape Overberg itineraries
Cape Overberg Itinerary
Five days in the beautiful Cape Overberg
“The greatest part of a road trip is not arriving at your destination. It’s all the wild stuff that happens in between.”Embrace Emma Chase's words as your travel through the Cape Overberg.
WINE ROUTE | 2 Days in the Cape Overberg
Head south on a two-day wine exploration of the nether reaches of the Overberg – the wild, beautiful southern tip of Africa.
Cape Overberg Blogs
The Ultimate Adventure Guide to The Overberg
Stretching east from the Elgin Valley, and spread between fynbos-covered mountains and a bewitching coast, the Overberg packs in a mix of just about every imaginable kind of nat...
Cape Overberg: Hidden Hiking Trails
The Overberg region provides multiple peaks to climb, swathes of pristine fynbos, coastal vegetation and ocean views which are bound to uplift the soul of any weary hiker.
Exploring the Deep South: Cape Overberg
Justin Fox shares his journey along the Overberg and Garden Route coast, exploring a magical world of fishing hamlets, shipwrecks and hidden estuaries, ...Top attractions in Cape Overberg
Whale watching
South Africa is well known for its Big Five, but the Western Cape also boasts an abundance of marine wildlife, with the region perfect for whale watching. Here’s everything you need to know about whale watching in the Western Cape. Of the whale species seen in the waters around the Cape, southern right whales are the most common. However, you might also get a chance to see humpback whales and Bryde’s whales.
Elgin Wine Valley
The Elgin Valley is fast making a name for itself in the wine world. Historically known for its apple and pear production, recent decades have seen a number of orchards being turned to vineyards by passionate winemakers who have recognised Elgin’s uniquely cool climate as the perfect environment to create distinctive, characterful wines.
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!
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.
