Whales & Walking (June – October)

Description:  On this 2 day tour leaving from Cape Town you get to see majestic Southern Right whales in the wild, view stunning waterfalls and indigenous gardens at the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens, hike in a protected nature reserve and indigenous plant species hotspot, stay in the quaint seaside town of Hermanus and take in grand coastal views with many world-class photographic opportunities along this beautiful stretch of South African coastline.

Highlights:  Whale watching | Staying in Hermanus | Hiking in a wild, protected area | Fynbos tour | Scenic coastal route

Price:

€165 per person

*based on 8 people travelling

**View our other Tours involving Whales:

Whales and Sharks Tour

Whale Watching Day Tour

Whales and Fishing Tour

Whales and Wine Tour

Whales and Walking Tour

Day 1:

We leave from Cape Town and get onto the scenic coastal road that runs from Gordon’s Bay to the small town of Kleinmond. Here there is a chance to see the Harold Porter Botanical Gardens which display the Cape Floral Kingdom in all its splendour. After exploring this enchanted garden we continue on to Hermanus, rated to have the world’s best land based whale watching. We have lunch at one of the local seaside restaurants with stunning ocean views before getting back into some serious whale spotting. The whales we are most likely to encounter are the Southern Right whales, these come to the perfect shallow, sandy-bottomed and sheltered bays for mating, calving, nursing their young and resting. Whales can be seen literally beneath you as you explore the paths along the coastal cliffs which drop steeply into the ocean. There is also the opportunity to take an optional whale watching boat cruise for those who want to get even closer. After a full day of whales we head to our accommodation to check in, relax and freshen up. We dine at one of the fine local restaurants overlooking the bay.

Day 2:

We awake to the smell of the ocean, enjoy a light breakfast before heading off to explore the protected Fernkloof Nature Reserve. Apart from the stunning views, birds and animals, this reserve has recorded over 1600 species of plants to be found on it, more than the entire United Kingdom. Another unique attraction of this reserve is that it hosts some of the largest carnivorous plants in the world and many tourists travel from afar just to view these fascinating giants of the Cape Floral Kingdom. The Roridula (carnivorous plant) can grow up to two metres high (the size of a tall man) and its leaves are a mass of hairs coated in sticky droplets, which it uses to ensnare its prey. We stop for lunch at one of the many breathtaking view points on the top of these mountains. After a great day of nature and light exercise in stunning surroundings we make our way back to Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass, taking in the sweeping views, before being returned safely to your accommodation in the city. (BL)