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Overberg |
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| Eco
Holidays |
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| Overberg |
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| Background |
Overberg simply means
"over the , mountain", that is, eastwards,
away .;c from Cape Town, beyond the ranges of the Hottentots
Holland. And while wheat fields growing golden in the
sun might appear to dominate here, this is something
of an optical illusion, for the Overberg is really a
floral kingdom of some diversity. Here you will find
areas of fynbos richer than anywhere else in the Cape.
So indulge your senses and then head for the sea. Here,
after an absence of many years (when they were hunted
almost to extinction), are the southern right whales.
They come puffing into the bays of the Overberg like
clock- work every year from June to November, and draw
visitors by the thousands |
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| Hangklip/Kleinmond
(includes Rooiels, Pringle Bay and Betty's Bay) |
Set in South Africa's
first proclaimed bio- sphere and the heart of the Cape
Floral Kingdom, with mountains, beaches and rocky shores.
Attractions:
Whale watching, Harold Porter National Botanical Garden,
Stony Point African penguin colony, the Kogelberg Nature
Reserve, sand boarding, white water rafting, wild horses
and hiking trails |
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| Hermanus
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Here you will find
the best land-based whale watching in the world as well
as scuba diving, coral reefs, beaches, coastal fishing,
bird-watching, cliff path walks, fynbos nature reserves
and boating, yachting, canoeing and kayaking.
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| Stanford |
A village with a rich
history, outstanding river scenery and fynbos. A bird-watching
mecca with more than 220 species recorded. The start
of the fynbos Ecotourism Route, which includes the Agulhas
Plain, Gansbaai, Pearly Beach and Elim.
Attractions:
River leisure, walks and hikes, 4x4 routes and boat
trips.
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| Gansbaai
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Home to great white
shark cage diving and boat-based whale watching. Enjoy
boat trips to Dyer Island, fynbos hiking trails and
caving at Klipgat cave. Gansbaai is also known for rock
and deep sea angling, and good diving. Gansbaai Tourism
Bureau
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| Napier
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This picturesque village
is the ideal centre from which to explore the Overberg,
being within easy reach of the missionary village Elim,
De Hoop Nature Reserve and the southernmost tip of Africa
at Cape Agulhas.
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| Elim
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This Moravian
mission station established in 1824 is now a national
monument.
Attractions:
Water mill, slave monument and Geelkop Nature Reserve. |
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| Bredasdorp
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Michael van Breda
established Bredasdorp, South Africa's first "dorp"
in 1838. Van Breda and another personality, Pieter Voltelyn
van der Byl, could not agree where the church should
be built. As a result two churches were built, and two
towns, Bredasdorp and Napier, were established.
Attractions:
Shipwreck Museum and Heuningberg Nature Reserve.
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| Amiston/Waenhuiskrans
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A charming fishing
village and holiday resort.
Attractions:
Replica of monument to Arniston sea disaster, Waenhuiskrans
Cave, Kassiesbaai -restored fishermen's cottages and
national monument -coastal fishing and whale watching.
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| Struisbaai |
A popular holiday
destination known for its 14 km uninterrupted white
beach.
Attractions:
Water sports, small restored thatch-roof church and
Hotagterklip restored fishermen's cottages (all national
monuments), quaint harbour, coastal fishing, swimming
and surfing. Suidpunt Tourism Bureau |
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| L'
Agulhas |
Cape Agulhas
is the southernmost town in Africa where the Indian
and Atlantic Oceans meet, marked by a cairn.
Attractions:
Agulhas National Park, Cape Agulhas Lighthouse -the
second-oldest working lighthouse in South Africa - remains
of ancient fish traps, wreck of Meisho Marn. |
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| Grabouw
/Elgin |
| Surrounded by mountains, forests and orchards,
this town offers access to the many hiking and kloofing
routes within the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve. |
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| Villiersdorp |
Surrounded by
the Blokkop, Aasvoel and Sneeukop mountains, Elandskloof
Valley and Theewaterskloof Dam, this town deserves the
title "Pearl of the Overberg".
Attractions:
Water sport, fishing, golf, and picnicking, hiking and
4x4 routes. |
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| Caledon
(including Botrivier) |
| Caledon is famous for wild flowers
and hot mineral springs while Botrivier offers wine tasting
on numerous wine farms. The area is home to South Africa's
national bird, the blue crane. |
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| Genadendal
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This Moravian
mission station is the oldest mission village in the
Overberg.
Attractions:
Genadendal Museum Complex, hiking trails.
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| Greyton
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A quaint village in a beautiful mountain
setting where old traditions still prevail.
Attractions:
Peace and tranquility, Greyton Nature Reserve, Boesmanskloof
Hiking Trail, horse riding, bass fishing. |
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| Riviersonderend
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| A small and peacefu(rural town that offers
t'iking (Kleinberge Trail) and canoeing. |
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| Swellendam
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A charming town where whitewashed
buildings, old oak trees, good restaurants and accommodation
will enchant you.
Attractions:
Bontebok National Park, day walks and overnight hikes
in the Swellendam mountains, 4x4 routes. Swellendam Tourism
Bureau Oefeninghuis, Voortrek Street, |
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| Suurbraak
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Much of this former mission station at
the foot of the Langeberg remains intact.
Attractions:
Horse cart rides through the town and along the river,
hiking trails. |
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| Barrydale
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You can approach
Barrydale from the Garden Route and Overberg via the
magnif- icent Tradouws Pass, from Montagu and the fertile
Tradouws Valley, or from Oudtshoorn through the Klein
Karoo.
Attractions:
Local arts and crafts, hiking trails and 4x4 routes.
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