Top Things to do in Overstrand
The 7 Best Nature & Wildlife Areas in Overstrand, Western Cape
Discover the best top things to do in Overstrand, South Africa including Panthera Africa - Big Cat Sanctuary, Phillipskop Mountain Reserve, Fernkloof Nature Reserve, Walker Bay Nature Reserve, Haarkapper Hiking Trail, African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary, Walker Bay Nature Reserve.
Restaurants in Overstrand
1. Panthera Africa - Big Cat Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 523 reviews
Panthera Africa - Big Cat Sanctuary Panthera Africa offers you the unique opportunity to learn about the big cats and hear their heartfelt stories! We are a true sanctuary with no trading, breeding or interaction, operating as a safe haven for rescued big cats. EDUCATIONAL VISIT Have a guided walk around to see our white and brown lions, black leopard, caracals and tigers and learn more about their species and their threats. TIMES: Everyday expect Tuesdays, 10am and/or 3pm (April - September) 9am and/or 4pm October - March); Open on public holidays. Price: R340 per adult / R170 per child under 13 years. PRE-BOOKINGS ONLY (as we only have a limited amount of spots per visit). SUNSET VISIT Come and enjoy the early evening with your loved ones as the sun sets and the cats come alive after a long day of rest! Your passionate host will take you around to the big cat enclosures. Price: R490 per adult, no children under 16 years allowed. Minimum 4 people. PRE-BOOKINGS ONLY.
Reviewed By eskecilliers - Malmesbury, South Africa
What an amazing and eye opening experience it was to visit Panthera Africa! I am in awe of what the two owners and their team have accomplished and commend them for the difference they are making in the industry and the lifes of the animals they have saved. Tarryn was a great host and gave us an insighful experience. her passion and love for these beautiul creatures is inspiring and contagious. We hope to one day return again. Thank you to Panthera africa!
2. Phillipskop Mountain Reserve
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 85 reviews
Phillipskop Mountain Reserve protects 246ha of beautiful fynbos on the slopes of the Klein River Mountains. It is also home to Phillipskop Cave, an important local heritage site due to the presence of rock art - the only recorded rock art on the Cape Whale Coast. There are a range of hiking trails for all abilities leading to a small waterfall, the peak of Phillipskop itself, interesting rock formations, such as the David and Goliath Rock Stacks, as well as lots of magnificent views. The trails can be combined into longer circular routes. WATERFALL HIKING TRAIL (3.5km) An easy, more or less level, hike to a small waterfall with a popular picnic spot underneath a beautiful rock candlewood tree. This is also the route to take to access Phillipskop Cave. ROCK STACKS HIKING TRAIL (3km) A short climb up to admire the two rock stacks, David and Goliath, with great views on the way back across the fields of the Overberg. This trail is good to combine with the Waterfall Hiking Trail for a circular route. SADDLE HIKING TRAIL (4km) A chance to reach the highest parts of the reserve. Beautiful views from the Saddle into the hidden valley behind Phillipskop. You can go from here up to the peak itself or onto the ridge of the Klein River Mountains to look down on Tesselaarsdal.
Reviewed By ToniHuyssen
Everything about our first stay at Phillipskop exceeded our expectations. The stunning fynbos, the well kept trails, the bird life (fish eagles, Verreaux's eagles and sugarbirds etc) and the wonderful, spacious accommodation. We can't wait to return to see other seasons' flowers. It's perfect for nature lovers, those who want to escape the city and not have to drive too far, for hikers and families that need space. This was a perfect first wedding anniversary holiday for us!
3. Fernkloof Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 503 reviews
Reviewed By 968verad - Czech Republic, null
Very nice place to spend half day walking and enjoying the beautiful flora! There are more flowers than you could imagine. The walks/hikes are easy and very enjoyable.
4. Walker Bay Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By Christine029 - South West England, United Kingdom
Loved this area, even staying in De Keller’s, which doesn’t have a lot else to offer, but does have the most amazing views and direct access toThe Bay by walking along the cliff path. Beautiful area and well worth a visit, especially of heading back to Cape Town airport and wanting a shorter drive to get there after a Garden Route holiday. We stayed at. Cliff Lodge which has amazing views across the bay. It must be wonderful in the whale season, but even without this added excitement, we enjoyed our time here. It’s free to access if walking along the cliff too, it small fee if raring by road and parking at the over the bay.
5. Haarkapper Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
This 15km hiking trail between Stanford and Tesselaarsdal allows you to follow in the footsteps of the famous Tesselaarsdal Barber. The hiking trail traverses the Klein River Mountains with its beautiful fynbos, rich in proteas, and spectacular views across the Overberg. The route can be started at Phillipskop Mountain Reserve or in Tesselaarsdal, and done as figure of eight or just one way.
Reviewed By marianbinder
Walking in the footsteps of the Tesselaarsdal barber is part of the special charm of this well-marked trail from the beautiful Philipskop to Tesselaardsdal. Goosebump views. Gorgeous fynbos. And of course a brilliant lunch at De Poskantoor afterwards before getting a lift back to the car.
6. African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 163 reviews
The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary (APSS) a project of the Dyer Island Conservation Trust (DICT) based in Gansbaai, South Africa. A state of the art facility, designed and built by passionate experts, that strives to provide local marine avian species with a local rehabilitative centre where injured, diseased or distressed birds can be treated and rehabilitated.
Reviewed By janethN9787CD - Banbury, United Kingdom
My husband read about this Sanctuary in a local newspaper and thought it would be somewhere interesting for us to visit, as I am obsessed with penguins! We always visit Boulder Bay and Stony Point when we holiday in South Africa, but this is a very different attraction. Due to all the over-fishing and plastic waste in our oceans,, there are many thousands of sea creatures who are suffering. This Sanctuary rescues sea birds and penguins and takes them to this amazing place. I was delighted to be allowed to be shown around the whole place including the ICU, the hospital, the medical centre, and the various places where the inmates are taken from arrival to hopefully their rehabilitation into the wild. They have the most gorgeous selection of penguins in various states of health, and there are even three pairs who have settled down together. I cannot speak highly enough of this 'attraction' and would encourage anyone to go and visit and get a greater wealth of knowledge about the care system for our sea birds and penguins. We were told that in 1920 there were 1,000,000 African penguins, now there are 18,000 and by 2030 they will probably be extinct - how awful!
