The Overberg in the Western Cape offers you beaches and secluded coves stretching for kilometers along the coast, the southern most point of Africa where two oceans meet, the heart of the Whale Coast, symmetrical swatches of rich farmlands set off by rugged mountains, beautiful Fynbos landscapes and a cultural melting pot with legendary hospitality.
The history of the Overberg is rich and full of life which is celebrated in its many museums some so comprehensive that they occupy entire villages, such as the completely preserved mission stations of Elim and Genadendal.
Each of the Towns in the Overberg region has something different to offer the tourist. Explore all of these towns and their main attractions on your trip to the Cape Agulhas region.
The Overberg coast, also called the 'Whale Coast", has the distinction of splitting two oceans. At Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the continent, the waters are cleaved into the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The more than 120 ships that were wrecked on the Overberg's' coastline tell their own story. A Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp is dedicated to those unfortunate ships.
Bontebok National Park
Whale Watching
De Hoop Nature Reserve
Agulhas National Park
The very popular Hermanus
Small coastal towns such as Gansbaai and Kleinmond
The diversity of the natural environment in the Overberg is accompanied by an unsurpassed wealth of indigenous plants and animals. The region lies in the heart of the famous Cape Floristic Region with its well-known fynbos (fine-leafed) vegetation.
Although fynbos is the smallest floral kingdom in the world, it has an amazing diversity of 8 600 plant species. Many of these species are endemic and found nowhere else in the world.
A similar variety of animal species includes many mammals, a wealth of birds, as well as reptiles, amphibians and terrestrial invertebrates, not to mention aquatic invertebrates and fish.
The Blue Crane is South Africa's national bird and is restricted as a breeding species to this country. About fifteen years ago, pastures were developed on a large scale in the Overberg and a man-made habitat was created that was crane friendly. About half the remaining Blue Crane population has found a sanctuary here.
You are invited to come and explore the region and experience the history and culture, which make the people of the Overberg justly proud.
The region can be approached from the Cape Peninsula over the dramatic Sir Lowry's Pass along the N2 national road, by a coastal road carved from the sea cliffs from Gordon's Bay, through the Kogelberg Biosphere - the only one in South Africa - or be journeyed into from other regions of the Western Cape Province such as the Winelands, the Garden Route, the Breede River and the Klein Karoo.
