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  INFORMATION:
   OVERBERG 

 
Overberg Country Roads 
Day 1:
Take the N2 from Cape Town turning off on the R44 below Sir Lowry's Pass which will take you through upper Gordon's Bay onto the scenic Clarence Drive. With its over 40 viewing points it is fast becoming the premier coastal drive in the False Bay area. This passes through the first UNESCO recognised Biosphere in Southern Africa. Take a detour to Stony Point as you enter Betty's Bay and visit the African Penguin breeding colony and remains of the old whaling station. Overnight in one of the pretty villages in the area. Betty's Bay and Kleinmond.

Day 2:
Continue on R44 from Kleinmond and perhaps catch a glimpse of the wild vlei horses on the Bot River vlei. Turn right on R43 to Hermanus, famous for the best land-based whale watching in the world from June to November. It is here where the only whale crier in the world can be found.
Nearby wine farms in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley are worth a visit. Overnight in one of the many accommodation facilities in Hermanus.

Day 3:
Proceed on the R43 to Stanford, a small town nestled at the foot of the Kleinriver Mountains, offering excellent birdwatching opportunities. It is at the start of the Southern Overberg Fynbos Route.Continue on the R43 to Gansbaai. For those who enjoy an adrenaline rush, there is shark cage diving on offer. From June to November, boat-based whale watching trips are also a suggestion for a unique experience on this coast of contrasts or explore a number of caves along this stretch of coastline. Overnight in the Gansbaai area.

Day 4:
Continue on R43 to Pearly Beach. At the Pearly Beach turn-off turn left onto Divisional Council Road 1205. Experience a real country gravel road with its slower pace and beautiful surroundings. Take time to look at the fynbos growing alongside the road. Look out for the Elim/Bredasdorp sign, and turn right towards Elim, one of the two Moravian mission villages in the Overberg. Be sure to book ahead to experience a typical Elim lunch and guided tour.

Leave Elim and continue onto Napier and be sure to pop into one of the antique stores and visit their unique military collection.Either overnight in Napier or travel the 15kms to Bredasdorp. We suggest that you use Bredasdorp as your base for the next 2 days.

Day 5:
Bredasdorp is the home of the Shipwreck museum, the only one of its kind in South Africa. From there carry on the R316 to Arniston/Waenhuiskrans, and explore the Waenhuiskrans Cave at low tide. Another attraction is the Kassiesbaai Fishing Village. Check the tides at the Tourism Bureau in Bredasdorp before visiting Arniston/Waenhuiskrans. Return to Bredasdorp.

Day 6:
Start the day taking the R319 to Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa and the place where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Visit the Lighthouse museum. On your way back to Bredasdorp be sure to stop at Struisbaai, with the longest white stretch of beach in Southern Africa. Overnight in Bredasdorp.

Day 7:
Pack a picnic basket when you depart from Bredasdorp via R319 towards Swellendam. Take a right turn after 7km onto gravel road sign posted to De Hoop Nature Reserve. Spend some time and enjoy your picnic lunch in the De Hoop Nature Reserve. Return to the gravel road and continue via Malgas over the Breede River to Swellendam. Remember to turn left after the pont to Swellendam. Malgas has the last manually operated pont in South Africa (open from sunrise to sunset). Overnight in Swellendam.

Day 8:
Whilst in Swellendam visit the Drostdy Museum Complex, and make sure to spend some time in the Bontebok National Park. Visit the unique Wildebraam Liqueur Farm for tastings and berry picking in season. The Sulina Fairy Sanctuary promises to be an experience you will not forget.

From Swellendam you can continue via the N2 to the Garden Route or to the Klein Karoo via Suurbraak. If you choose to continue to Suurbraak, overnight in Swellendam and continue on day 9 to Suurbraak.

Day 9:
Take the N2 towards Mossel Bay. 11 km outside Swellendam turn left onto the R324 to Suurbraak. Plan a visit to the chair factory and enjoy a donkey cart trip. Continue on the R324 to Barrydale via the magnificent Tradouw pass. Take time to visit the wine farms in Barrydale for wine tasting and cellar tours. Continue on the R62 to the Klein Karoo.