In December 2025, Victoria and her son headed to South Africa for a two-week adventure—beginning in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. If the scenery looks familiar, it’s because this area is close to where My Octopus Teacher was filmed, with its cinematic kelp forests and dramatic coastline. Just a two-hour drive from Cape Town, the Overberg is one of our favourite “add-on” suggestions for travellers who want 2–3 extra nights without long transfers, yet still crave distinctive habitats and wildlife experiences.
Most visitors are drawn here for the remarkable marine life, from whales and sharks to colonies of penguins, as well as the region’s floral diversity—fynbos found nowhere else on Earth. The nearby Hemel-en-Aarde Valley impresses with exceptional wine and award-winning gastronomy, while the charming seaside town of Hermanus offers cliff walks, ocean views, and a laid-back Overberg rhythm. It’s a perfect complement to any South African itinerary.
In Victoria’s own words ….
Our trip began on arrival in Cape Town – I had ensured my son was in the window seat as we landed so he could enjoy his first sight of Table Mountain. We had no doubt where we had arrived on a gorgeous sunny summer afternoon! After being met by our driver, we embarked on our two drive up the coast to Grootbos Nature Reserve. Our tiredness disappeared as we were wowed by the incredible views driving through the mountains over the Overberg region, with occasional glimpses of the blue sea. This region is famed for its whale watching (mainly between June and October, there were some spotted in late November last year, so you never know), stunning fynbos and lovely boutique wineries.
We passed through the seaside town of Hermanus, a lovely spot for visitors to spot whales from land, walk the coastal path or wander through town exploring the shops and cafes. We are happy to make recommendations for clients wanting a less structured itinerary.
Our goal, however, was Walker Bay and the magical Grootbos Nature Reserve where we spent 2 nights at their Garden Lodge. Garden Lodge is perfect for families – we enjoyed watching a group of youngsters, kitted out with binoculars, head out on a discovery adventure around the lodge! The reserve is also home to Forest Lodge (adults only) and the Grootbos private villas which can be booked on a private basis.
This region is part of the Western Cape’s Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the world’s biomes and a biodiversity hotspot. One of our activities during the stay was a flower safari – while we did see some small antelope, birds and insects, the focus was on the flora and we learned so much about fynbos (meaning “fine bush”)– these shrublike plants come in many forms and include the most famous, the King Protea, South Africa’s national flower. It was fascinating to learn about their medicinal purposes as well as adaptation to fire, in particular as there had been some fires in the area due to the dry prevailing winds of summer (similar to our Santa Ana winds), which trigger germination and growth of the new seeds. Our tour ended with a visit to the Florelegium Art gallery, filled with beautifully curated drawings of many of the fynbos we had seen on our drive.
We also enjoyed a visit to Klipgat Cave nearby – Klipgat means “stone hole”, named for its dramatic opening offering incredible views over the bay. The caves here were formed long ago, and become home to people of the middle and late stone age, as evidenced by the bones, pottery and stone artifacts that were discovered in the late 1960s.
Other included activities at the reserve including hiking (guided or self-guided) through the trails and milkwood trees, horse-riding, and a visit to their local projects including Green Futures. Or enjoy an afternoon on the gorgeous beach (for the water think Maine coast and not Gulf coast!) and possibly spot a whale! Through the property, you can also book other activities including a marine big 5 excursion, horseriding on the beach or a winetasting at one of the boutique wineries in the Hemel en Aarde Valley. All that said, having time to relax and enjoy the properties is highly recommended as a lovely beginning or end to a Southern Africa itinerary. It is truly a magical place to simply BE.
Our time in this part of the Western Cape ended as we journeyed towards Cape Town, enjoying the glorious coastal route, including a stop at Stony Point Nature’s Reserve. Located in the quiet coastal town of Betty’s Bay, the reserve is home to a small African penguin colony and generally a lot less crowded than the more famous Boulders Beach. The birds can be observed all along the boardwalk and are very entertaining. Additionally there are a number of cormorant species which use the rocks as nesting grounds. It is a perfect addition to an Overberg experience.
