The route stretches from the hidden corners of the Agulhas Plain, near the southern tip of Africa, to Stanford, Gansbaai, Baardskeerdersbos, Pearly Beach, Elim and Wolvengat.
The Southern Overberg Fynbos Route links is renowned for memorable experiences and hospitality, be it on working farms, guest farms or private nature reserves. Although fynbos is at its most spectacular during late winter and spring, also the wettest and coldest time of the year, indigenous flowers can still be enjoyed any time of the year. Fynbos is by no means the only attraction on the route and secluded beaches with good angling spots, hiking trails, wonderful birding and land and boat-based whale and shark-watching make this area a great destination for nature lovers.
Fynbos is the characteristic vegetation of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the smallest of the six floral kingdoms of the world with an astounding total of 9,000 species. Of these 6,300 are endemic, occurring in a restricted area and nowhere else in the world, and 1,400 are Red Data Book species, meaning that they are rare and/or threatened.
Fynbos (meaning ‘fine bush’) is the popular name for the shrub found in the winter rainfall area of the Western Cape. This hardy vegetation has adapted to the dry summer season and strong coastal winds in special ways by producing large, hard, leathery leaves (as in the protea family) or fine, tiny leaves, often with rolled edges (the erica family) or by having long, thin stems with no leaves (the reed family).
Reasons to visit
At the centre of the route is the charming fishing village of Gansbaai. The town offers all basic amenities and a number of interesting restaurants and activities. The town is the capital of the shark cage diving industry in South Africa and a number of operators offer daily excursions to interact with these magnificent creatures.
Stanford is a quaint, rural village that is popular among artists, musicians and writers. The Klein River that runs through the town gives a unique atmosphere and the streets are lined with antique stores, coffee shops and vineyards. Activities around Stanford include horse riding, boat cruises, hiking and bird watching.
