It was with a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty that we boarded our fight to Cape Town, which is the nearest international airport to our first port of call in South Africa.
Even though I grew up in the country, many things had changed since those days, and I wasn't sure what to expect.
Where Is South Africa?
South Africa is an independant republic situated at the southern-most tip of the very large African continent. It is a vast country - the whole of the UK can fit into one of its national Game Reserves - with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique forming it's immediate neighbours within the southern African region.
It is a country of contrasts: it has both a vibrant and growing economy, but a lot of poverty, vast swathes of countryside devoted to farming or wild-life, spectacular mountain ranges and breathtaking coastlines.
South Africa has a diverse and exciting cultural heritage, and English is widely spoken by all, which ensures that foreign visitors have no problem communicating with the locals.
In the last few decades, the nation has been emerging from the graveclothes of "Apartheid", and we were pleasantly surprised at the friendly welcome we received in what is popularly called "The Rainbow Nation".
In the last few decades, the nation has been emerging from the graveclothes of "Apartheid", and we were pleasantly surprised at the friendly welcome we received in what is popularly called "The Rainbow Nation".
Journey To Hermanus:
Hermanus is a mere 90 minute drive from Cape Town, and is famed for being the best land-locked whale-watching destination in the world.
What once was a popular holiday destination for South Africans, Hermanus today is a vibrant, growing, tourist attraction. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the whale-watching season especially from June to December when the Southern Right Whales arrive off the coast to mate and calve.
What once was a popular holiday destination for South Africans, Hermanus today is a vibrant, growing, tourist attraction. Visitors come from all over the world to enjoy the whale-watching season especially from June to December when the Southern Right Whales arrive off the coast to mate and calve.
Hermanus overlooks Walker Bay, with its warm, sheltered waters, which provides a safe place for the whales to deliver their young. At birth, Southern Right calves weigh about 900 kg, and they grow about 3 cm a day. They stay close to their mothers, suckling on their fat-rich milk until they are strong enough to undertake the long journey back to the cold waters of the Antarctic.
The coastline here is ideal for the whales to swim right up to the rocks and visitors can often observe these gentle giants from mere feet away. For an even closer encounter with these wonderful creatures, many tour operators offer boat trips from the New Harbour on the west side of Hermanus.
Why not take a trip with African Wings and see how many whales you can spot on a 30-minute flight around Walker Bay.
Contact African Wings here:
| Tel/Fax : | +27 (0)28 312 2701 |
| Cell : | +27 (0)82 555 7605 |
| PO Box 215, Hermanus, 7200 | |
| e-mail : | safari@africanwings.co.za |
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