Set just over an hour from Cape Town, within the inspiring landscapes of the Cape Winelands, Franschhoek is a heritage town and a world-renowned food and wine destination. Travellers could choose to focus their visit on any one aspect alone - nature, cuisine or culture - and find plenty to keep them busy. The estates here attract wine experts from around the globe with their Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cap Classique sparkling wine (among others). Five-star restaurants alongside the cellars are surrounded by the same jaw-dropping valley scenes that have brought artists and writers to the area for centuries. A superb literary festival takes place around May every year, and, combined with the town’s Cape Dutch manor houses, fascinating museums, and charming boutiques, makes Franschhoek a wonderful place to visit in winter. Summer provides endless hiking, cycling and other outdoor opportunities among the lush farmlands and mountains.
Falling within the Cape Florist Region, the Elandsberg Nature Reserve stretches along the foot of the Elands berg Mountains on the western coast of South Africa. This natural heritage site is home to an array of unique flora and fauna, including beautiful indigenous fynbos and blossoming wildflowers. Spanning over 30 000 acres, this game reserve aims to safeguard the genetic diversity of its game population by being able to home a large, yet sustainable, number of game. Commonly spotted wildlife includes eland, wildebeest, springbok, bontebok, zebra, baboon and antelope species. Free-roaming predators such as cheetah, brown hyena, caracal and the lesser-spotted cheetah may also be seen during a visit. Birding enthusiasts will be thrilled as the reserve houses the world's largest bird, the ostrich. Look out for the fish eagles, black eagles and kingfishers that soar above and for the world's rarest reptile, the endangered geometric tortoise, who trails along the ground slowly.
Perfectly situated at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, the quaint heritage town of Swellendam is South Africa’s third-oldest town. It is Idyllically positioned in the scenic Overberg area and serves as an excellent base to explore the magnificent surrounding landscape, including the Little Karoo in the hinterland. The streets are lined with beautifully restored Cape Dutch buildings dating back to 1745. Visitors can explore the Dutch Reformed Church and Drostdy Museum complex, visit the surrounding nature reserves and enjoy the local farm stalls selling an array of locally produced jams, liqueurs and baked goods. Other popular activities include: hiking, kayaking, camping, game viewing, horse riding, and stargazing.
