This seasonal tour to the Cape’s wine and whale country will have travellers driving along the heavenly Whale Coast and along the scenic Clarens Drive. Close to the very tip of Africa, walk along the paths that line the cliffs of Walker Bay, which promises some of the best shore-based whale sightings in the world. For those travellers keen to have the wind caress their hair and gentle water droplets settle on their skin, hop aboard a motorised boat and set out to sea to encounter these colossal aquatic mammals on a whale watching cruise. Discover a rich landscape awash with rock sheltered coves, pleasant hiking trails along small belts of natural shrubland, fynbos bush and heathland vegetation, where unspoilt beaches beckoning travellers with their shimmering sands and temperate waters. During the second half of the year, the southern right whale migrates to the south coast, along the shores of Hermanus, a cool 127 km (79 miles) away from Cape Town, to mate and calve. This charming town, once the base for whaling and aggressive fishing, today offers unparalleled views of breaching whales as their massive frames disrupt the calm waters, creating effervescent foam on the surface of the chilly, sapphire waters. Amid this visual spectacle, embrace the call of the Whale Crier, whose kelp horn vibrates across the vista,
This charming town, once the base for whaling and aggressive fishing, today offers unparalleled views of breaching whales as their massive frames disrupt the calm waters, creating effervescent foam on the surface of the chilly, sapphire waters. Amid this visual spectacle, embrace the call of the Whale Crier, whose kelp horn vibrates across the vista, announcing whale sightings to all and sundry. Next, head off to the stunning Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, brimming with vineyards that stretch across fertile lines, surrounded by deep, lush valleys and dense forests, with rustic gourmet restaurants peppered around the area. Sample some of the best wines in the world, produced at the renowned Bouchard Finlayson wine estate, before heading off to explore the exciting and sustainably run cheetah sanctuary. End the tour by perusing local farm stalls, offering the best natural fruit preserves, sumptuous jams and fluffy pastries. As you head back to the captivating city of Cape Town, pass through Sir Lowry’s Mountain Pass, which promises breathtaking, all-encompassing views of the beautiful Cape Peninsula.
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