The Overberg in the Western
Cape Province forms the southern-most area of Africa to the east of Cape Town
beyond the Hottentots-Holland mountains.
It lies along the Cape
Province's south coast between the Cape Peninsula and the region known
as the Garden Route in the east. The boundaries of the Overberg are the
Hottentots-Holland mountains in the West; the Riviersonderend
Mountains, part of the Cape Fold Belt, in the North; the Atlantic and
Indian Oceans in the South and the Breede River in the East.
Major towns in the region are Hermanus, Caledon and Swellendam and includes Cape Agulhas, the southermost point of Africa. The landscape
is dominated by gently to moderately undulating hills enclosed by
mountains and the ocean.
The area has always been considered as the breadbasket of the Cape and
is largely given to grain farming — mainly wheat. The wheat fields are
a major breeding ground for South Africa's national bird, the
Blue
Crane. Another important food farmed in the Overberg is fruit with the
Elgin Valley being the second largest supplier of fruit in South Africa.
Nestled in the Overberg, one can find the
Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
(recognised and registered with UNESCO) populated with a large
diversity of flowering plants not found anywhere else in the fynbos
biome.
It includes the popular white shark cage
diving villages of
Gansbaai and
Kleinbaai, coastal villages like
Agulhas, Struisbaai, Pringle Bay & Kleinmond. More towns in the
area are:
Bredasdorp, Greyton, Elgin, Grabouw, Stanford,
Riviersonderend, Heidelberg Cape, Riversdale.
The name means "over the mountain" and is a reference to the regions location relative to Cape Town.
Source: Wikipedia
Hermanus
One and a half hours drive from Cape Town along the coast to the
east is the town of Hermanus. Popular with Capetonians as a weekend
getaway, the town's main claim to fame is the annual arrival of the
whales. The Southern Right Whale, so named because it was the Right
whale to hunt is one of the success stories of conservation.
Although
hunted to near extinction in the early part of the century, since a ban
was placed on hunting the whales in 1935 they have rebounded and return
annually from their feeding grounds in the southern oceans to calve in
the coastal waters of the Western Cape.
The whales can be seen all along the coast from Saldanha Bay
on the west coast to Plettenberg Bay in the east, but they come closest to
the shore at Hermanus, making it an ideal spot for viewing them from
the shore. The whale watching season runs from mid- July to November
and when viewed from up close their bulk becomes apparent. The calves
are about five metres in length at birth, consume about 600 litres of
milk daily and grow at a rate of three centimetres a day. Adults reach
between 14 to 18 metres and weigh in at 54 000 kilograms (roughly 10
large African elephants).
|
[Online Booking]
16 Reasons Guest House is centrally located, only a 5-minute walk to the village of Hermanus as well as the cliff paths for whale watching in season. We offer secure parking. Relax around our heated s ... |
|
 [Online Booking]
7 Church Street in Montagu was lovingly restored over a 24-month period and is conveniently situated central to all amenities, while having 360-degree panoramic mountain views.The main house is adorne ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Swellendam, the historic heart of the Overberg and third oldest town in South Africa, has much to offer to it's visitors - from wildlife to heritage. Aan de Oever is situated on the banks of a small r ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Allow Aanhuizen be a retreat for you from the hustle and bustle of your rushed life. Situated away from the noise of the main road yet still within walking distance of the tourist centres and excellen ... |
|
[Online Booking]
We offer luxurious bed and breakfast guest house accommodation in Hermanus on the famous South African Cape Whale Route. Our aim is to provide affordable accommodation to both the local and internatio ... |
|
[Online Booking]
The Auberge Burgundy , which is set above the picturesque Old Harbour , in the historic heart of Hermanus (the hub of the famous Whale Route) is a charming Provençal style guesthouse with fragr ... |
|
[Online Booking]
This historic Cape Dutch estate dating 1802 is centrally situated in the historic heart of Swellendam, the 3rd oldest settlement of South Africa.3 Luxury cottages (1 double), 2 garden suites & 1 f ... |
|
[Online Booking]
This stately house, lies at the foot of the Riviersonderend Mountains and is situated at the end of Greytons Oak lined main road.The House named the Weltevreden Manor, emanates a sense of old world ch ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Beaumonte Guesthouse is a relaxed, contemporary guesthouse set on "Millionaire's Dune" in Vermont, Hermanus. The views are magnificent, spanning 180 degrees across Walker Bay with nothing bu ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Only 2km away from the historic town of Swellendam directly alongside the N2; en-route to Cape Town and the Garden Route, you will find the Blue Mountain Inn (Ranch). Here you can relax and enjoy the ... |
|
[Online Booking]
... is set on a farm, tucked between hills, a little distance from Stanford, Western Cape.This Retreat offers individuals and groupsan opportunity to get away to tranquillity, pastoral landscapesand e ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Your Home From Home in Swellendam Relax in four star comfort at our majestic Cape Edwardian guest house situated in a secluded and peaceful area of the picturesque town of Swellendam. Experience ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Buchu Bushcamp is situated about 70km east of Cape Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa and a mere 1km from the main gate of the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Situated 35km off the N2 highway between Ca ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Four Pines Lodge is situated in Kwaaiwater, Hermanus. A short stroll will lead you to the cliff paths on our pristine coastline from where you can see the whales meters from the shore gambolling in th ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Norval and Brian of Heerden Huijs extend you a warm and friendly welcome to the picturesque and historical town of Swellendam, at the foot of the Langerberg Mountains.The place:We are AA ‘highly ... |
|
[Online Booking]
We offer a selection of upmarket stylishly furnished and fully equipped self-catering holiday houses in and around the Hermanus area.THE UNITS1 Nursery Lane Newly built, stylishly furnished and fully ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Impangele, Swellendam, lies near the base of the Langeberg mountain range. This guest house is well equipped to cater for every traveller's needs, and has been adapted to provide maximum ease and comf ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Rustic mountain self-catering cottages on a fruit farm outside Montagu. Four charming restored farm cottages. All linen provided, indoor fireplaces and outdoor braai facilities. T ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Klippe Rivier Country House, Swellendam 1820, is extremely well preserved and is easily the finest house in the Overberg.AccommodationEach of the bedrooms at Klippe Rivier has been named after previou ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Welcome to “Les Hauts de Montagu”, a guest lodge offering 600 hectares of abundant, indigenous flora and situated on the beautiful slopes of the Langeberg Mountains. Here you will experien ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Within walking distance of the popular Voëlklip and Grotto beaches and only 6 minutes from the village centre, spacious en suite double or twin bedrooms and a self-catering cottage with magnifice ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Hermanus Misty Waves Boutique Hotel, luxury hotel lodging in the The Misty Collection, offers you the best of Hermanus!Relax in private on the third level in the luxury Jacuzzi on the deck terrace ove ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Mitchell Street Village Guest House is a luxury guesthouse which offers exceptional value for money, accommodation in Hermanus, and is only 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Cape Town. Immerse yourself ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Ocean Eleven is an Olde Worlde, Cape Cod, Colonial-style guest house, situated on the famous cliffs of Hermanus. The picturesque mountains beyond gently embrace the phenomenal, all encompassing vista ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Where you will feel welcome...Skeiding is a working ostrich farm in the Heidelberg area… close to the N2 and halfway (250 km) between Cape Town and Knysna. This makes us the ideal stopover. A f ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Come and experience the ambience of a Western Cape farm in the mountains. Stanford Valley Guest Farm is nestled in the valley of the Klein Rivier, 10km outside of Stanford village. We offer comforta ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Elegantly furnished with modern designer pieces and artworks, whilst retaining all the spiritual charm of the countryside, it is the perfect venue to relax and rejuvenate your soul.Rolling lawns and l ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Villa Marine Guest House is situated in Pringle Bay, a quiet coastal village in the heart of a UNESCO World Nature Reserve 55minutes drive from Cape Town International Airport.This newly built guestho ... |
|
[Online Booking]
Gansbaai - De Kelders. An intimate guest house on top of the Cliffs, offers you whale watching from the comfort of your bed! Your Hosts Stanley & Lainy Carpenter welcome you to the Whale Song Lodg ... |
South African Rand Converter
