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Luxury Train Travel

Rovos Rail or the Blue Train. Be instantly transported to a world of myth, legend and timeless luxury

The Safari Experience

We arrange the ultimate safari experience in South Africa, Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibia

 

 

 

The Gourmet Treat

South Africa is celebrated for its high-quality food. Treat yourself to a wide range of award-winning cuisine

Hiking Trips

We work with the most established local hiking guides to maximize your experience and safety

Golf Travel

Enjoy the country’s fabulous links, seaside, park and championship golf courses

 

Unique Wine Tours

Meet highly regarded award-winning winemakers and be captivated by their expertise and professionalism

 

Anniversary Trips

Whatever the occasion, for yourself or your company, we can design and curate a memorable celebration

 

The Ultimate Treat

Private jet or helicopter? Spoil yourself and include an award-winning chef and butler to boot

Yoga Travel

Extraordinary yoga experiences that combine spectacular settings with nurturing and healing cuisine

 

Experience Paradise

Enjoy our meticulously selected paradise-like gems in South Africa, Madagascar and Mozambique

 

Properties To Rent

We can offer a wide variety of quality accommodation. Enjoy your own villa, house or apartment

 

Family Travel

We take every family member into consideration to ensure an all-around fabulous family experience

 

Child-free Travel

If you’re looking for peace and quiet, we’ll guide you to the top child-free accommodation and restaurants

 

Wedding Experience

Ensure a memorable day by allowing us to curate an unforgettable experience to celebrate your union

 

Exploring Tours

Our bespoke itineraries deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences

 

Conference Travel

Substitute jetlag for state-of-the-art conference venues combined with great wine tasting and superb safari

 

Tailor-made Trips

Our enthusiasm and professionalism are the hallmark of our tailor-made service offering

 

You As a Cicerone

All our trips are individually tailored. Unfamiliar guests aren’t part of what we offer. Your journey is about you

 

Special Offers

RIGHT NOW: Receive a 10 % discount when booking shark cage diving for five or more people

 

Safari Theme

South Africa

Outstanding diversity combined with superb comfort makes South Africa a magnificent destination

 

Zambia

A nation with some of the best, most pristine and animal-dense national parks. A superb safari destination

 

Zimbabwe

Diversity and magnificently varied nature make this classic safari destination one of the absolute best

 

Botswana

A safari destination bar none! Be amazed by the abundance and outstanding quality of every safari

Namibia

Unique flora and exceptional fauna – one of the most beautiful countries in the world

Special offer

RIGHT NOW: Stay six nights at the amazing Jamala Madikwe and you receive the seventh night free

 

 

Destinations

Big 5 Safari

Keen to experience the Big 5? Our intimate knowledge of the many national parks makes it possible

 

 

Family Safari

Our knowledge of safari and safety is unique. Allow us to arrange your once-in-a-lifetime family safari

 

Walking Safari

We work with the most skilled safari guides to maximize your experience and safety

 

Shark Cage Diving

We work exclusively with  top local specialists in safe, eco-diving to maximize your experience and safety

 

Whale Watching

We work exclusively with the best local specialists to maximize your experience and safety

 

Enjoy the peacefulness of endless deserted beaches with nearby access to top-class safari experiences

 

South Africa

Enjoy miles of deserted sun-drenched beaches and 30-degree seas

 

 

Mozambique

Paradise imagined. Enjoy the magnificent surroundings populated by the very likeable Lemurs

Madagascar

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Read about the complex and fascinating history of the Republic of South Africa

 

About South Africa

 

Please find information about Covid-19 in South Africa as well as basic yet essential information to consider before your departure

 

Travel guidance

 

Southern Africa in general, and South Africa, offer an impressive variety of world-class, once-in-a-lifetime activities and experiences

 

Activities

 

Be inspired by our gallery of beautiful, colourful South Africa and Southern Africa

 

Gallery

About us, what we can assist with and what people think of us ...

Keen to know more about us? Please find information about us and why we consider ourselves experts in South Africa and Southern Africa

About The Company

After 20 years on location, our service is not only to tailor the best holiday for you but to look after you every step of the way until you have returned home safely

Our Services

What our guests are saying: about us, our efforts, our partners, South Africa and southern Africa as destinations

Testimonials

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WESTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA
Fabulous Hermanus
Fabulous Hermanus

The scenic coastal town of Hermanus is known as the best place in the world for land-based whale watching

HIGHLIGHTS

Walking on the beautiful cliff path and watching Southern Right Whales breaching

Enjoy one of the many internationally renowned vineyards in Hemel-en-Aarde

Visit Grotto Beach, Hermanus’ own magically beautiful beach, 21 km

Hermanus is situated in the unique and attractive area of Walker Bay which is surrounded by ocean, mountains, and miles of white beaches. Hermanus with its breathtaking nature and famous cliff paths is known as the best land-based whale whatching spot in the world. Just a few meters from land on the cliffs you can watch whales in the bay, which makes Hermanus the best place in the world to see these magnificent mammals. During the whale season, which runs from June to early December, you can experience Southern Right Whale, Humpback Whale and Bryde’s Whale.

To the east of the town are some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, including the 21 km long, Grotto Beach. The town offers a wide range of accommodation of various standards and price ranges. There are many nice restaurants and it is crowded with small fascinating shops, galleries and a number of markets, all within walking distance.

For those of you who are exceptionally active, there is a large offering: a jog along the cliff paths with a stunning view of the ocean, hiking in the mountains, golf at some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world: Hermanus Golf Club located in central Hermanus and the international championship course Arabella Golf Course located about 26 km from Hermanus at the lagoon next to Botriver. Go kayaking, try handgliding, discover the great white sharks from a cage or why not try a horseback riding tour on the beach along with wild horses. Take part in an organized fishing tour or join a boat tour and catch your own crayfish.

Fewer people have discovered the more genuine and less commercial wine district around Hermanus. Hermanus and the surrounding wine district is therefore less touristic and less exploited. Enjoy a fantastic wine tour in the beautiful Hemel-en-Aarde, the second southernmost wine district in South Africa. The variation of wines is large and the award winning Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are world class.

For those interested in flora and fauna, the beautiful fynbos-vegetation, characterized by proteas, consist of many rare and endemic species. Hermanus and the surrounding areas is a paradise for bird watchers. Few other places offer fynbos, mountains, coasts, and rivers in such a close and easily accessible terrain, which brings the approximately 60 different species of birds to the area. People from all over the world come to look upon the specific species of birds, like the Blue Crane.

 
 
 
 
 

Destinations to visit in and around Hermanus

 
 
 

Betty’s Bay

Approximately 40 minutes from Hermanus you find Betty’s Bay with Stoney Point penguin reserve. Visit the lovely garden Harold Porter National Botanical Garden, which is set between mountain and sea in the heart of the Cape Fynbos region within the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. It consists of 10 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 190.5 hectares of pristine natural fynbos. The Garden Estate is the natural part of the garden with several kilometres of nature trails providing scenic views of forests, mountains and coastline.

 
 
 

Gansbaai

Approximately 40 minutes drive from Hermanus lies the world-famous shark-town Gansbaai. Experience a close encounter with the great white shark from a cage.

 
SHARK CAGE DIVNING GUEST REVIEW

”I will give the shark cage divning top marks, and we saw several large sharks. The information at breakfast before the tour contributed to a serious impression of the company, and especially their staff, lots of staff that all contributed and assisted the guests wiht their equipment before the cage dive. Boat, equipment, shark cage 🙂 – all gave a very good impression and were in good condition. Wetsuits in all sizes, good cyclops etc. The children received assistans and felt safe, so they too could dive without problems. The meeting time was changed from nine to seven, but they informed both via text message and called to our accommodation, so we got the information in good time. A super day and guaranteed with memories that will stay for a long time. ”

— LARS ÖQUIST

 
 
 

Rooisand Nature Reserve

Rooisand Nature Reserve is located near Kleinmond, about 35 minutes by car from Hermanus. This is where you can experience a horseback ride in fantastic nature on the beach, among wild horses or take the opportunity to take some riding lessons. Book a 2.5 hour horseback ride on the beach or a longer ride (about 4 hours) that includes a picnic or breakfast / lunch at a restaurant.

 
 
 

Botriver

Many of South Africa’s highly respected wineries are located around the village of Botriver (20 minutes drive from Hermanus) and are well worth visiting. If you are lucky, you can get yourself a sip of wine straight from the barrel.

 
 
 

Stanford

The cultural heritage and wine experiences in Stanford is worth to explore. Stanford is an idyllic town (10 minutes drive from Hermanus) which was founded in 1785 and named one of Africa’s best-preserved cities. Enjoy a delicious organic lunch on one of the beautiful surronding farms. Combine this with wine tasting in South Africa’s most southern wine district where its becoming more commonly that winemakers choose to settle.

 
 
 

Cape Agulhas

Enjoy a journey to the southernmost point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where the two oceans – the Atlantic and Indian Oceans – meet. Stay overnight in the charming town of Arniston and take the opportunity to visit some of the most southern wineries.

 
 
 

Activities

South Africa has a lot to offer in terms of activities. Upplev Sydafrika have put together activities to do in regions or areas you will visiting during your trip. Contact us for more information.

 
 
 
 
 
 

Suggested travel that includes Hermanus

 
 

Proposed itinerary Unique Wine Tours

 

10-DAYS UNIQUE WINE TOUR IN WESTERN CAPE

A return trip with a start in the gastronomic capital town, Franschheok and the wine capital, Stellenbosch. A visit to vineyards in Botriver and then on to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus. End the trip in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town. During the trip you will visit Upplev Sydafrika’s specially selected vineyards – some of South Africa’s finest!

 
 
 
 

Proposed itinerary Exploring Tours

 

12-DAYS EXPLORING TOUR IN WESTERN CAPE

A return trip with a start in charming fish village of Paternoster. Of to the gastronomic capital town, Franschhoek and the wine district around Stellenbosch. Then on to the scenic coastal town of Hermanus and end the trip in one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town.

 
 
 
 
 

Hermanus history

At the beginning of the 1800s large parts of South Africa still remained undiscovered. The inhabited areas were mainly close to colonial fortifications …

 
READ MORE ABOUT HERMANUS HISTORY

Hermanus-pietersfontein

At the beginning of the 1800s large parts of South Africa still remained undiscovered. The inhabited areas were mainly close to colonial fortifications. Hermanus Pieters arrived in Cape Town in 1815 and worked his way westwards as a teacher and shepherd (his salary was often paid in sheep by the farmers) in the smaller farm settlements which were built along the outermost border areas. One warm summer he walked through the Hemel-en-Aarde valley (heaven and earth) where a colony had established itself earlier. The colony told Hermanus about the Olifantspad (the elephant path), which crossed the mountain and down towards the coast. Once Hermanus reached the coast, he was taken by the the area’s beauty, an intense greenery with a river leading down to the ocean below. He decided to settle down by a spring with access to both food and water for his sheep. During the following years Hermanus returned to this area after each winter to fish and feed his sheep. The area beside the spring was eventually given the name, Hermanuspietersfontein. The word spread about the great fishing and animal feed the place offered. Soon, more and more farmers travelled to the area during the winter.

It was the farmers who initially found Hermanuspietersfontein but it was actually the fishermen who eventually settle there. Walker Bay was rich in fish and shellfish and the first fishermen settled permanently in the area at the end of 1850s. The fishing industry grew and was for long the growing town’s main source of income. Word of the place’s excellent fresh and healthy air and the beautiful nature spread to other areas of the country. Many hotels and Sanatorium opened and summer guests as well as patients came from as far away as London to enjoy Hermanus’ “Champagne air”.

In 1904, Hemanuspietersfontein was given township privileges and at the same time the town’s name was shorted to Hermanus – for practical reasons and upon advice given by the town’s post office.

One of the most prominent contributors to Hermanus’ picturesque environment is Sir William Hoy. Originally Scottish, Hoy worked his way up to become head of South Africa’s railway company in the early 1900s. As a regular guest in Hermanus, he appreciated the quiet and still environment as well as the fishing – Sir Hoy was a devoted fishing enthusiast. The villagers were convinced that a railway track should be build to Hermanus to attract a higher number of visitors. This should also be made easier because of the Railway President’s love for the growing town. Sir William Hoy had an other view and despite that a decision was made to build rail tracks and a train station from Bot River to Hermanus, the whole process was stopped by Sir Hoy. He wanted to maintain the peace and calm around Hermanus and did not want the rail tracks to destroy the idyllic place. Thus, Hermanus has the world’s only railway station which has never seen a train. Sir William Hoy died in Hermanus during one of his fishing trips and is buried beside his wife on a little hill, Hoy’s Koppie, namned after him inside Hermanus.

Text: Henrik Schauman

You can travel to South Africa all year round, but we recommend going September to May

Healthcare is good in South Africa. Even so we suggest obtaining a sound travel insurance before departure

As a EU and UK citizen, you will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival in South Africa

To ponder before travelling:

The so-called “peak season” in December / January is very popular indeed and requires booking of accommodation, safaris, activities and restaurants well in advance.