Top Things to do in Overberg District
Top 10 Outdoor Activities in Overberg District, Western Cape
Discover the best top things to do in Overberg District, South Africa including Cape Canopy Tour, Green Mountain Trail, Fatbike Tours Cape Town, Phillipskop Mountain Reserve, Gansbaai & Pearly Beach Horse Trails, Swellendam Hiking Trail, De Hoop Nature Reserve Whale Trail, Rooi Els Beach, De Hoop Whale Trail, The Tradouwspass.
Restaurants in Overberg District
1. Cape Canopy Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 918 reviews
Only an hour from Cape Town, this is a must do activity for all adventure and nature lovers alike! Cape Canopy Tour takes you on an unforgettable journey as you slide from one platform to the next along a series of steel cables set amongst magnificent natural surroundings of a World Heritage Site, the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, in the scenic Elgin Valley.
2. Green Mountain Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 186 reviews
The Green Mountain Trail is a four day hiking trail around the Green Mountain in the Overberg region of the Western Cape.Traversing a tapestry of fynbos and fruit farms this slackpack trail offers fine food and comfortable overnights in the Cape Winelands of South Africa. Accommodation is in four star country guesthouses. Delicious , wholesome meals are provided throughout.The trail meanders around the Groenlandberg, part of the Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. Guided by THETA accredited guides you learn about the biodiversity and the history of the area. Swimming in rock pools and dams on a hot day is as refreshing for the body as it is for the soul.The Green Mountain Trail is a moderate walking trail with distances varying between 11kms and 18kms each day. The effort level, as gauged by Slackpacker S.A., is set at 3.5 with 5 being the most difficult.The trail traverses privately-owned land. All landowners are members of the Green Mountain Eco Route, the world’s first biodiversity wine route, and part of the region’s efforts to conserve the environment and promote responsible tourism. All members are Biodiversity Wine Initiative champions. This enlightened initiative unites conservation and agricultural development in a complementary, mutually beneficial manner. As part of the Green Mountain Trail’s social responsibility programme, hikers are encouraged to Walk with an Alien, a project in which a personalised walking stick is carved from alien vegetation by local communities.
Reviewed By wilderkrans
A group of friends did the Greens Mountain Trail hike in the Elgin area. We had the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide, and I would highly recommend this walk. It is a very beautiful part of the Cape.The accommodation and food was superb , with the staff at each venue adding to the enjoyment with their warm welcome.
3. Fatbike Tours Cape Town
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 375 reviews
Fatbike tours are new to South Africa! Join us on an amazing ride on Sand Dunes from 185 meters down to the cliffs. Suitable for all levels of riders and this is a bundle of fun in the Great Outdoors with breath-taking views! From ages 8-80 on our Dunes and sunset Dunes tour with a variety of routes for all levels :-) learn to ski on a bike down the dunes and ride down verticle dunes or meander between them. This is a must do activity when visiting South Africa
4. 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!
5. Gansbaai & Pearly Beach Horse Trails
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 249 reviews
Gansbaai & Pearly Beach Horse Trails invite you on a memorable horseback adventure that will take you through a dune forest and across the pristine white sandy beaches of one of the most tranquil stretches of the Cape Whale Coastline. Enjoy individual and knowledgeable attention from your personal trail guide, Sarah Coronaios, who will share with you her passion for horses and the Overberg. Southern Right Whales are plentiful in season and the lure of a dip in the cool blue Atlantic beckons on hot trail-riding days. With over 30 years of hands-on experience in riding instruction, natural horse training and trail riding, Sarah Coronaios would like to share her passion with other horse enthusiasts. An excursion on horseback with Gansbaai and Pearly Beach Horse Trails is undoubtedly the most exhilarating way to explore one of the most secluded and pristine stretches on the Cape Whale Coast. Two well appointed, self-catering cottages are available on the farm.
Reviewed By S1219XGlaurenc
Unforgettable! Amazing hosts and beautiful horses, long white beaches, Sandunes, snacks and drinks, swimming with the horses - amazing
6. Swellendam Hiking Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
This popular hiking trail through the gorgeous Marloth Nature Reserve offers hikes of all lengths and difficulty levels.
Reviewed By RynoMyburgh - Swellendam, South Africa
The nature reserve is situated in the mountains and has stunning views from numerous hiking, running and MTB trails.
7. De Hoop Nature Reserve Whale Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 443 reviews
Reviewed By WJP89 - Ottawa, Canada
My wife and I took our 12 year old son to de Hoop Nature Reserve in November 2019. We stayed at the de Hoop Collection in Opstal Cottage #4 - an equipped cottage that suited us perfectly. I can't say enough good things about this place. It may be a bit off the beaten track, but the drive is well worth the effort. Actually, my wife and I had been to de Hoop in 2005, and at that time the cottages were vacant as far as I can recall - we camped with the baboons! This time it was pure luxury by comparison, with a well-appointed cottage and a very decent dining room (the Fig Tree) where we could have dinner. We went to the beach (Koppie Aleen) three times, and each visit was worth the drive. We saw loads of wildlife including a puff adder on the roadway one morning, several big land tortoises, many, many bonteboks, elands, ostriches and of course baboons,the rare Namaqua Sand-grouse, and much more. We also took the boat tour on the vlei, which was really worth the price. We had great looks at greater and lesser flamingos, great white pelicans, cape teal, and several clawless otters among other things. A few useful notes - if you like to look for birds, there is a good farm pond about 15km from the turnoff after you leave the tar road on your way to de Hoop where you can look for flamingos, ducks, storks, herons, blue cranes, and other water-loving birds. The Fig Tree restaurant is really nice with indoor and outdoor seating, and very good service. Prices are reasonable. You can bring your own wine to the Fig Tree for a modest corkage fee, so remember that if you are doing a winery tour on your way to de Hoop. Don't forget to reserve meals and activities in advance. The curio shop sells a very good guide to the reserve for R20, and you should just buy one as soon as you arrive (or even see if you can have one sent to you before you travel). If you have a Wild Card, it ought to cover your conservation fees even though this is a Cape Nature reserve. The cottages get besieged by gnats at night if you leave your lights on, so bring headlamps or flashlights to help you get around inside your cottage after dark. You can buy coffee, cold drinks, and snacks at the beach at Koppie Aleen, and there are picnic tables there as well.
8. Rooi Els Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
9. De Hoop Whale Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 93 reviews
Reviewed By nasihasurtee - Johannesburg, South Africa
Recently renovated, the Whale Trail is a dream slackpacking trail in De Hoop Nature Reserve, and a must-do for all nature lovers. The Trail combines both mountain and coastal walking, The first 3 days hike is fairly strenuous, varying in intensity with some tricky hills; you will need endurance to complete 5 days. It has the most breathtaking scenery, panoramic views, amazing landscapes and rock formations. The fauna is exquisite. The inter-tidal pools on the wave-cut rock platforms and coral reefs are remarkable sights. The azure blue colour of the sea and unspoilt beaches simply spectacular. We did not see whales but large schools of resident dolphins made up for that. Each overnight cottage is mildly rustic and it's own unique character. Each with a well-appointed kitchen, clean bathrooms, hot water and electricity. It is by no means roughing it. Each room is dormitory-like with bunk beds. The setting of each overnight cottage just gets more scenic each day. Well worth the money spend and 1 year waiting list.
