WHALE WATCHING IN HERMANUS
Hermanus, heart of the Whale Coast, is the place for viewing Southern
Right whales on their annual migration north from July to November.
Use the Old Harbour Museum telescope to identify the distinctive
V-shaped blow. Witness breaching (leaping from the water), and lobtailing
as they go about courting, mating and calving.
Whale Coast Tours offer whale watching trips.
Tel: 3124063 or 3124063
Whale Watching (boat-based) Hermanus Harbour:
Tel: 0827144931 or 0827507351
GREAT WHITE SHARK CAGE DIVING
Shark cage diving started around 1990–1991 at Dyer Island,
Gansbaai, situated close to the southernmost tip of Africa. Initially
used for research observations, cage diving developed into a funding
generating venture. Other individuals noticed a niche market and
several started offering the same service to tourists. Commercial
cage diving has since spread to other areas of southern Africa,
Mossel Bay in 1993, and most recently False Bay in 1996. At present
there are ten cage diving operators, taking out an estimated 4,000
divers annually.
The area where the diving takes place is called " Dyer Island
" and roughly one hours cruise from the harbour. Dyer Island
is a breeding ground for cape fur seals. Between 30 000 and 40 000
seals come here every year to breed. November is the prime season
when all the females drop their pups, after which the males arrive
and the cycle starts all over again. Dyer Island is actually made
up of two islands and the channel between these two islands is where
all the diving takes place. It is approximately 5 metres deep, and
80 metres across. Visibility is usually quite good but can be affected
by the tide, although the channel is generally protected from the
wind. The best time of the year to dive with the great whites is
from March to August.
For further information, contact horizon@iafrica.com or
Phone: +27 (43) 7486128 Fax: +27 (43) 7482476
TABLE MOUNTAIN HIKES
Skeleton Gorge/Nursery Ravine - Platteklip gorge
This route starts from the world famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.
There is a fairly strenuous walk up through the shady indigenous
forest of Skeleton Gorge. On reaching the top of the Back Table,
relax next to Hely Hutchinson dam, one of the 5 dams on Table Mountain.
There is an easy stroll along the top with magnificent views towards
the Hottentots Holland mountains, False Bay and the Peninsula to
Cape Point. Before descending Nursery Ravine there is Castle Rock
to visit. This walk takes about 3.5 hours. Follow the route of the
original explorers to the top of the Front Table. This ascent is
steep and stepped. The reward at the top is the unrivaled views
of Cape Town, Table Bay, Robben Island and the whole of the Cape
Peninsula, east to the Hottentots Holland mountains and from the
twelve apostles to Cape Point. Spend time exploring on the top before
descending by the same route. This walk takes about 4.5 hours.
Cecilia Circuit - The 12 Apostles (The Pipe Track)
This is a circular route that starts with an easy ascent through
Cecilia Forest. At about the halfway mark there is the opportunity
to stop and admire the magnificent Cecilia Waterfall before tackling
the steep climb up Cecilia ridge. A well deserved break is taken
at De Villiers dam, one of the five dams on Table Mountain, then
a short walk up to Klassenkop, the highest point on this walk. Here
grow some spectacular Yellowwood trees hidden in the deep cracks
of the rocks. Take time to explore this seldom visited area and
admire the panoramic views of the Cape Peninsula, to the Hottentot
Holland Mountains, Cape Point and beyond. The descent is an easy
stroll along the jeep track and back through the forest. This is
an easy but scenic 3 hour stroll below Table Mountain's magnificent
12 Apostles. Learn a little of the history of this area, the story
behind "Pipe Track" and the characters who lived here.
Admire the spectacular Atlantic Seaboard, the palm fringed beaches
of Camps Bay and Lion's Head to the North. Return by the same path.
Skeleton Gorge via Maclear`s Beacon
This is a strenuous full day hike. Walk up Skeleton Gorge where
the indigenous forest provides shade. On reaching the top of the
Back Table, take a break before the final climb to Maclear`s Beacon,
the highest point on Table Mountain. Stroll along the Front Table
and enjoy the most spectacular views in the world before returning
to Kirstenbosch Gardens, our starting point. The time for this walk
is 7 to 8 hours. Go on a moderately strenuous hike up one of the
Twelve Apostles overlooking Camps Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Walk
along the historic "Pipe Track" before tackling the easy
ascent of Corridor Ravine. Enjoy the magnificent views across the
peninsula to False Bay. Step back in time and relax in the tranquility
of the underground forest of the Yellowwood Cracks before walking
along the top of the mountain and down Kasteelspoort. This hike
takes about 4 hours.
Other walks
Silvermine Circuit - A Historical walking tour of Cape Town
Take an easy circular hike in the Silvermine Nature Reserve and
enjoy magnificent views over False Bay, south to Cape Point and
look down on Chapman’s Peak and the fishing village of Hout
Bay. Admire the mountain fynbos and having heard the legend, explore
the Elephant’s Eye Cave of Constantiaberg, before returning
to the scenic reservoir, our starting point. This walk takes 3 to
4 hours. This is a half day walk which gives a glimpse of Cape Town
as it was in it’s early years. Visit the Castle of Good Hope,
the oldest Building in South Africa and stroll across the Grand
Parade, the site of President Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural speech
after his release. Learn a little of Cape Town’s political
history in the District Six Museum. Pass the Cultural History Museum,
formerly a slave lodge, before entering the Company’s Gardens,
the site of Van Riebeeck’s original vegetable garden. Take
a tea break here before the short walk to the Bo Kaap, our finishing
point. This is also known as the Cape Malay or Moslem district,
where the oldest Mosque in South Africa is found.
