South Africa’s Whale Route is just 'over the mountain' from Cape Town in the Overberg region. The heart of the route is the once-humble fishing village of Hermanus which has grown into a world-famous tourist destination, known for offering outstanding whale watching from June to October. Appealing to outdoor enthusiasts and culinary connoisseurs alike, the Whale Route offers whale watching, wine tasting in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, beaches, restaurants, art galleries and boutique hotels.
Highlights
Watch female Southern Right Whales come inshore to Walker Bay and calve
Enjoy spectacular views and cosy seaside charm
Take a boat trip to get closer to the whale migration
Indulge in shark cage diving, golfing, hiking, surfing and much more
Iconic Activities
Birdwatching
Boat Trip
Whale Watching
Shark Diving
Canoeing/Kayaking
Golf
Hiking
Wine Tour
Explore More
Whale Route Map
Enriching encounters
ICONIC WILDLIFE
Whether you want to observe the area's spectacular sea creatures underwater or from the shore, our expert guides reveal the typical marine life, as well as the endemic mammal and bird species, to expect in Whale Route
Orca
Humpback Whale
Great White Shark
Cape Fur Seal
Bottlenose Dolphin
Baboon
African Penguin
Southern Right Whale
Sample itineraries
TRIPS TO INSPIRE
From exhilarating wildlife encounters to out-of-this-world natural wonders, echoes of ancient empires, and rose-gold beaches, every bespoke Mahlatini journey is designed to immerse you in the extraordinary. Whether it’s a bucket list trip, marking a milestone, or a soul-stirring retreat, let this handpicked selection inspire your next escape.
From remote safari camps to world-class resorts, our selected properties are hand-picked by our experts and endorsed by our guests. Often intimate, always exceptional, we'll choose the perfect lodges, hotels and villas to suit your personal style and interests.
Start your unique journey
HOW TO BOOK
At Mahlatini, we believe in making your journey effortless. Browse our website for inspiration or get in touch with us directly. Whether you already have a dream destination in mind or need some inspiration, our travel experts are here to create your custom itinerary. Serial safari-goer, Indophile or first-time explorer, your adventure starts with a conversation.
Connect
Call us or inquire online. Share your wish list and we’ll start planning your adventure.
Customize
Your dedicated travel expert will be in touch within 24 hours to start designing your bespoke itinerary.
Confirm
We won’t stop refining your plans until we get the perfect trip at the best price.
Travel
Receive your Mahlatini travel documents, pack your bags and set off on your trip of a lifetime!
We routinely go the extra mile to ensure that we not only plan the perfect itinerary but ensure that you're in good hands at every stage of your journey. That's why we are especially proud to maintain an overall client satisfaction rating of 98%.
Ricardo Rodriguez, 28th May 2025
vacation to
South Africa
The overall feeling was great. We had an amazing trip. The hotels and staff were amazing and we loved that all of them left us nice surprises for our honeymoon.
We had the most amazing honeymoon, it was so relaxing and so well organised. The hotels were top notch for what we asked for and wanted - and frankly we couldn’t have asked for any more!
It exceeded any expectation I could have imagined! Every stop was beautiful and lovely in its own unique way, and every transfer and tour was seamless. We never had to think too hard and could enjoy being in the moment until the moment we left!
+1 347-708-1755
Birdwatching
Boat Trip
Whale Watching
Shark Diving
Canoeing/Kayaking
Golf
Hiking
Wine Tour
