Whale Watching, Hermanus
Drive about 2 hours south east of Cape Town to Hermanus, and watch Southern Right Whales as they migrate from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic to the warmer waters of South Africa to mate and give birth. Hermanus, particularly Walker Bay, has been recognized as one of the 12 best whale watching destinations in the world. Visitors can watch whales either from the shore or take boat tours to get closer to the whales.
The town’s famous Cliff Path stretches for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) along the coastline and provides an ideal vantage point for observing whales from the shore. The path offers stunning views of Walker Bay and ample opportunities to spot whales breaching, tail-slapping, and playing in the waters below. If you prefer a closer encounter, boat-based whale-watching tours are available.
Hermanus also has a unique tradition of having a “Whale Crier” who alerts visitors to the presence of whales by blowing on a kelp horn. The Whale Crier can often be found at the Old Harbour and other strategic spots along the Cliff Path. Every year, in late September or early October, Hermanus hosts the Whale Festival, a celebration of the whales’ arrival. The festival includes various activities, live music, food stalls, and marine-themed entertainment.
Cango Caves Tour, Oudtshoorn
Explore the 20 million year old Cango Caves system consisting of a series of hidden chambers cut deep into a thick limestone rock layer in the Swartberg Mountains, 30 kilometres north of Oudtshoorn, in South Africa’s Western Cape Province. Learn about the various rock formations including stalactites and stalagmites in a wide variety of colors, especially Cleopatra’s needle which stand nearly 9 meters high! Choose from the standard tour which is suitable for all visitors of all fitness levels, or the Adventure tour, which is not suitable for anyone suffering from claustrophobia or back ailments.
Knysna Lagoon Cruises
With five rivers flowing in and meeting with the Indian Ocean, Knsyna Lagoon is one of the most popular locations on the Garden Route. Visitors can enjoy several activities in the area including sunset cruises, private boat charters, kayak tours, oyster tours, nature trails, and scooter tours of the forests surrounding the lagoon. The John Benn (a double-decker floating restaurant) is one of the oldest and most famous cruise liners in Knysna. The tours are 90 minutes long and take you across the Knysna Lagoon to the Knysna Heads. For a more magical experience, opt for a sunset cruise on a luxury yacht.
Apartheid Museum & Constitution Hill – Day Tour
Visit two of the most important sites in South African history, the Apartheid Museum and Constitution Hill. Learn about life under Apartheid, and South Africa’s path to democracy by exploring the interactive exhibits at the Apartheid Museum. Then, visit the prison which housed Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi, and tour the Constitution Court of South Africa at Constitution Hill.
Soweto – Half Day Tour
Explore the township of Soweto on this half day tour. Visit Vilakazi street, the only street in the world on which two Nobel laureates lived and take a tour of Mandela House, where Nelson Mandela lived from 1946 to 1961. Also visit the Hector Pieterson memorial, which commemorates the death of several students who were shot in 1976 during a peaceful demonstration. Finally, drive by the most iconic landmark in Soweto, the painted Orlando Towers.
The Cradle of Humankind – Half Day Tour
Visit the Cradle of Humankind, where fossils of our ancestors dating back over 3 million years have been found. First, tour the Maropeng Visitor Center, and learn about the evolution of humans over the last few million years through a series of interactive exhibits. Then, explore the Sterkfontein caves to see how fossils are discovered, excavated and dated, and the sites where some of the most ancient and important fossils were found.
Cape Peninsula Tour
Visit the breathtaking Cape Peninsula, on this day tour. Drive through Chapman’s Peak on to Hout Bay, and take a boat ride to Seal Island. Then continue further to Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, Boulder’s Beach Penguin Colony to see a colony of African Penguins, and finally, end the day with a leisurely stroll through the ecological wonderland that is Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden.
Cape Winelands Tour
Spend a day exploring the Cape Winelands, one of the most famous wine growing regions in the world, located just an hour east of Cape Town. Visit the beautiful and historical towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, popularly known as the “Food & Wine” capital of South Africa. Take the Franschhoek Wine Tram and stop at some of the famous wineries in the region for wine tasting. On the way back, see the spot where Nelson Mandela was finally released from prison at Drakenstein.
Shark Cage Diving, Gansbaai
Depart early in the morning from Cape Town for Gansbaai, and enjoy a sumptuous breakfast on arrivale. Then, experience the thrill of getting up close and personal with Great White Sharks by going Shark Cage diving in the area popularly known as Shark Alley, which is frequented by a large number of Great White and other types of sharks. After the adrenaline rush, return to Gansbaai harbor, for your drive back to Cape Town.