Hermanus whale watching

Hermanus is a small town an hour and a half along the east coast from Cape Town. Once famous for the healing powers of its ‘champagne air’ Hermanus now boasts another claim to fame. Hermanus is the best land based whale watching site in the world. The Southern Right Whale visits the shores all along South Africa’s Western Cape coast every year from July to November to breed and calve. But nowhere offers views of this magical phenomenon quite like Hermanus.
With its 12 kilometres of cliff top paths which stretch the length of the town and offer unparalleled views of the bay where the whales like to frolic, Hermanus offers an unforgettable whale watching experience.

The most common whale seen in Hermanus is the Southern Right Whale, so called because it was considered by whalers the ‘right’ whale to hunt due to the fact that it floated when killed. Keen spotters however may also be lucky enough to see Humpbacks or Brydes whales and occasionally even Killer Whales.

Hermanus is the heart of the ‘whale trail’ and this can be seen in the culture of the town which embraces all things ‘whale’. Hermanus is famed for being the only town in the world to have its very own ‘whale crier’. Similar to the town criers of Europe, the whale crier announces the presence of whales in the bay by blowing his unique kelp horn. He is also a local expert on both the whales and the town of Hermanus itself and will gladly answer questions for you.
Hermanus also hosts a whale festival every September in the peak of the whale season. It is the only enviro-arts festival in South Africa combining themes of conservation and sustainability with those of arts and culture.

If whale watching from the cliff tops is not up close and personal enough for you there is also the option of boat based whale watching trips. They will take you closer to the whales then you ever dreamed of being and give you the opportunity to spot other wildlife such as dolphins, seals and otters.

If the weather is not conducive to whale watching, do not despair. There are plenty of other things to do in and around Hermanus. There are many great wine farms in the region which offer wine tastings and cellar tours as well as a number of fabulous art galleries which showcase local talent.

Travel holidays in cape town

 Cape Town Travel Attractions...
Cape Town travel is internationally renowned for the endless and diverse attractions offered by this gorgeous cosmopolitan city and its surrounding areas. The Cape Town accommodation offerings present the perfect location from which to explore everything this fantastic holiday city has to offer.

No Cape Town holiday is complete without a trip up Table Mountain via the Cableway which provides 360 degree views of all the splendour that Cape Town has to offer and is an excellent way to get your bearings before heading out to explore.

Cape Town travel is internationally renowned for the scenic drives and gorgeous beaches you will encounter. A drive along the Atlantic seaboard will take you past Clifton - the most popular stretch of beach in the country, Camps Bay - a slice of tropical island paradise with beach side cafes, restaurants and night-time hotspots, Llundudno - a surfers dream complete with bronzed bikini clad maidens, and then on to Hout Bay - a fishing village and small harbour with excellent seafood and boat trips out to Seal Island.

Then it's over Chapman's Peak - a mountain pass carved into a sheer cliff face rising up out of the Atlantic Ocean with arguably the best views you'll ever see from inside a vehicle - and on towards distant Cape Point along a road that hugs a coastline filled with crashing waves, dolphins and whales, all available on our Cape Town Tours.

After a visit to Cape Point return via False Bay where you will find a colony of Jackass penguins' en-route, a naval base at Simon's Town and the National Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch - one of the worlds finest with over 5000 plant species and incredible hikes and views. A must visit during your Cape Town holiday are the rolling vineyards of the Cape Wine Route, you can see all of this and more with our 7 day self drive Whale Route and Winelands Tour.

Back in Cape Town you'll find the Castle of Good Hope - the oldest building in South Africa and protector of the new Cape, the Bo Kaap - a Cape Malay area with beautifully coloured historic houses and then finally the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. No Cape Town holiday is complete without a trip to this working harbour, shopping and entertainment complex. From this harbour in the centre of Cape Town, travel by boat, on a day trip to Robben Island - the former prison island where Nelson Mandela spent 27 years of his life.

By world standards Cape Town is a small city, confined in its growth by both the sea and the mountain and covering only a dozen or so blocks. Its suburbs however are enormous, located in widely varied surroundings and stretching outwards from the city centre for tens of kilometres. What makes a Cape Town holiday so interesting are the attractions located in each of these suburbs. Each suburb is rich in a culture and history as varied as the surroundings you find them in. The contrasts between Bishops Court, Kommetjie, the Cape Flats and Kayelitsha are mind boggling, reflecting South Africa's deeply divided past. Township tours are a major attraction and give visitors insights into exactly what life is like for the underprivileged and the innovative ways they have come up with to try and improve their situations.

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Garden Route Tours

False Bay Great White Shark Tours

False Bay is recognised by National Geographic and Discovery Channel as one of the world’s most amazing viewing sites for watching the Great Whites.

The boats we use for our tours are owned by Chris Fallows and Rob Lawrence. They depart every morning from Simons Town at 06h45, April till September.
The boats head out to an island called “Seal Island” which is just off the False Bay coast. This a popular feeding area for the Great Whites.

The trips are unique because the boats hold a maximum of 5 passengers, so the excursions are very personal and non-commercial. The boats are also easy to manoeuvre when shark activity moves to another part of the island coast.

Great white sharks can grow up to 6.5 metres in length and their bite may exert tons of pressure per square centimetre. The animals are extremely intelligent and can travel at high speed underwater.

Rob and Chris avoid using hook-less bait whenever possible, preferring to rely on dummy seals to draw the sharks to the boat. Cage diving is possible (if you are qualified) but the water visibility is often not good so most visitors who do this trip, prefer to surface view. There are many occasions in June and July when the sharks will launch themselves out of the water in an attempt to get their prey. It is an experience that you will never forget.

Light refreshments and snacks are served on the boats, to help you reduce the adrenaline rush……
The boat returns to Simons Town harbour at approx. 1.30 or 2pm. All trips are weather dependant for the safety of our passengers.

Great white sharks do not survive in captivity and their numbers are still declining world-wide. Chris, Rob and “Take 2 Tours” would like you to experience this phenomenon in the hope that you will be able to understand that they are not the fearfully dangerous “beasts” that the media makes them out to be. And, by educating others, you may be able to save the species from possible future extinction.

Because Simons Town is 45 minutes by car from Cape Town CBD, we can arrange for you to stay at an apartment or a hotel in Simons Town on the night before your trip. This means you won’t miss the trip if you get up late! Anyway, Simons Town is a beautiful place.

Otherwise, if you phone us the night before, we will collect you from your hotel at 06h00 in Cape Town and transport you down to the boat departure point. In this way you don’t have to worry about getting lost AND being late!

Bookings in advance: ESSENTIAL.

……..and if you are still unsure…….rent the DVD called “Airjaws” by Discovery Channel.

Cape Town Tours-Take 2 Tours

Cape Town tours: a great day out.

Cape Town is a vibrant city, which is full of colour, history and of course its diverse population. The best way to see the city bowl and some of the suburbs is the hop-on hop-off bus that goes all the way to Kirstenbosch Botanical gardens and takes you to the Cable-Car station for the Table Mountain Cable way. It’s a very cheap way to get out and about, and the bus makes regular stops all over the city.

Additionally you can catch any number of taxis to take you where you want to go. The private taxis can charge basically whatever they want, but most of them offer competitive rates. A word of warning on the minibus taxis, however. Although the taxis here in Cape Town are better than in the rest of the country (a variety of people catch them here, and are relatively safe on board), they do drive like absolute idiots. Idiots that are blind and deaf with only one hand and a foot that can only slam on either peddle (slam on gas, slam on brake, and no in-between). Additionally, although they are cheap, they are also very intimidating. It’s recommended that young women alone do not catch them and to avoid them at night. Although it’s a great way to tour Cape Town, it does have its risks. The taxi industry is constantly at loggerheads with pretty much every authority going, and these protests usually turn violent. It’s the unwary traveller that gets caught up in one of the riots.

Cape Town tours are the recommended way to see our city, but do your research before booking a trip on public or private transport.

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cape town travel

 Should you be a wine enthusiast looking for a trip that allows you to tour a number of breathtaking wine estates and taste some of the best wines available, then Cape Town is surely the destination to consider. Naturally, these estates are not within the city itself, but the numerous Cape Town travel services make it ideal to be staying in Cape Town and use  it as a base of operations while you explore the lush wine lands.

Before you begin your journey into the heart of the wine lands, it would be best to first decide on whether or not you are going to be staying in Cape Town. Indeed, this choice ties in to the two real options that you will face.

1.      Choose to make full use of the excellent Cape Town travel services for day trips out to the wine lands that are located just 45 minutes away, coming back and staying in Cape Town itself every night.

2.      Opt instead to stay in other accommodation within the wine lands, enjoying the full effect of their natural splendor.

Both of these options have their merits, and at the end of the day it largely amounts to a matter of personal taste and preference.

Making the Case for Staying in Cape Town

By staying in Cape Town you will obviously benefit from being able to enjoy a more diverse holiday, and will be able to take in the numerous other sights and sounds of the city itself. Activities are never lacking, and if you are travelling with family or friends, it could offer a number of welcome alternatives.

Obviously, you will still want to spend a considerable amount of time going on wine tasting trips and tours, and many of these are constantly being offered by Cape Town travel services . Notably, there are some very attractive half day trips to the legendary wine routes of Stellenbosch, followed by an exquisite wine tasting session, that constantly prove to be popular.

Furthermore, should you have some spare time then you will be spoilt for choice in regards to what to do next. Such is the primary advantage of staying in Cape Town; the sheer abundance of options ensures that there will never be a dull moment.

Still, there is something to be said for spending time in the wine lands instead of staying in Cape Town. Excellent as Cape Town travel services may be, some do enjoy spending more time surrounded by the wonders of nature. If that is your preference, then there are many guest houses and hotels that will cater to your needs.

Whichever option you may choose, always remember: Carefully planning and arranging your holiday will enable you to get the most out of it.

In line with that, choosing between Cape Town travel services and accommodation options could be tricky. Depending on your choice, between staying in Cape Town or the wine lands, be sure to pick the correct type of accommodation that suits you best. Also, it would make sense to look up the best tours and packages that you might be interested in during your stay there.

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Take 2 Tours & Safaris

Experiencing Cape Town from all Angles

 Staying in luxury accommodation in Cape Town’s centre is an ideal base for exploring all the nearby tourist attractions. The city centre itself is a hive of activity, where you can buy hand-crafted African curios from street vendors, designer handbags from international shops, and antique jewellery from trendy second-hand stores.

A trip to Green Market Square on a weekday morning while on a Cape Town holiday will allow you to experience the range of cultures that diverge in the city centre. This outdoor market is surrounded by Rastafarians playing slow drum beats on bongos, marimba bands playing traditional African songs and deli’s where you dine on the pavement.

On the other side of town, offering a more mainstream and conservative day out, is the V&A Waterfront, hosting a range of designer shops and waterside seafood restaurants. A tailor-made holiday in Cape Town will allow you to explore both aspects of the city, so you can make the most of your Cape Town holiday.

Looming above the city centre is Table Mountain, and a short trip by cable car will have you towering above the city in no time. Views from the top are spectacular, with the sea, the city and nearby forests making up the surrounding area. Be sure to look out for your Cape Town hotel from the top.

A Day in the Vineyards

Luxury accommodation in Cape Town is often located very near the city centre, allowing for easy access to the main tourist attractions. Even the wine route is only about an hour’s drive from the main Cape Town hotels, where you can taste the wine produced in the local vineyards as you take in the mountains, fields and rivers that surround you. Most of the vineyards have picnic spots, where you can enjoy a sunny afternoon outdoors as you feast on local food and your favourite bottle of the vineyard’s own wine.

Cape Malay Culture and Townships Tours

South Africa’s complex political history makes for different cultures congregating in different parts of the city. While the city centre sees a divergence of the local cultures, a trip to the more specific cultural epicentres is well worthwhile on a Cape Town holiday.

The Cape Malay community is vibrant, friendly and buzzing, and engaging in an activity such as a music tour will give you some insight into this dynamic community. For a bit of history on this cultural group, paying a visit to the old area of District Six, a suburb from which many Cape Malay residents were forcibly removed under the previous government, will shed some light into the lifestyles and heritage of these people. The choice is all yours on a tailor-made holiday in Cape Town.

An integral part of Cape Town’s history and culture are the townships that lie on the outskirts of the city. You could go on a township tour of the areas, or you could go for lunch at a local township restaurant. One of the most well-known township restaurants that is safe to visit, is Mzoli’s, a restaurant owned by a local in the township of Gugulethu, just outside Cape Town. A Sunday afternoon is the best time to go, when a local DJ gets people dancing at their tables on the pavement. The restaurant serves only local food, and your choice of meat is barbecued in the restaurant’s courtyard. A visit to this vibrant hangout will make for a different Sunday afternoon experience on a Cape Town holiday.

Beaches and Wildlife

A Cape Town holiday will ultimately always incorporate at least a few days spent basking in the sun on a beach, or taking a stroll through the forest. Just a short drive from the city centre, are the beautiful beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay. With rollerbladers skating down the promenade and a range of cocktail bars overlooking the beach, this is one of Cape Town’s trendiest areas. Many of Cape Town’s hotels are situated on the mountain slopes above the sea, where you can walk down to the beaches in just a few minutes.

On the other side of the city are the beaches of False Bay, where a colony of penguins await you at Boulders Beach, and the warm Indian Ocean water demands to be explored. Though less trendy, these beaches are extremely beautiful and less commercial.

Kistenbosch Botanical Gardens makes for quiet afternoon strolls along the foot of Table Mountain, and Cape Point Nature Reserve sees the point where the two oceans (Indian and Atlantic) meet. If you’re driving to Cape Point, you can expect a baboon or two to hop onto your car whenever you stop, so keep your windows closed to avoid your bag being nicked!

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Things not to Miss During Your Holiday in Cape Town.

It’s freezing outside, there’s nothing good on TV and everyone is away spending the holidays somewhere else. And all you can think of as you snuggle up in the couch is that Hawaiian sand nestling up around your feet as you take a sip of your piña colada.

But haven’t you thought about somewhere else, somewhere more unique, more adventurous? Then why not go to Cape Town, South Africa, during your holiday? It is a place exclusive to decades of hope, liberation, and history. It is also a place with a colorful present and a fruitful future.

Tourism is bustling in Cape Town; thanks to the efforts of its local municipality. Everything it offers has been put on the map, and all you need to do is fix your schedule and choose from a variety of things to do while you’re there. So here a few things to do during your holiday in Cape Town:

Ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Table Mountain is Cape Town’s most popular mountain next to the Devil’s Peak and Lion’s Head. It is famous for its flat summit stretching about 3 kilometers along its longest ends. The flatness of its peak not only adds a certain eccentricity to the place but also actually serves as a pleasant destination if you prefer to see Cape Town and beyond from a panoramic point of view.

And the easiest way to Table Mountain is to ride the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. It also serves as its most popular form of transportation. Every cable car has a rotating floor and its wide glass windows offer a 360 degree view from all sides. And the best part is that it only takes 10 minutes to reach the Table Mountain summit.

Visit the Wineries

Cape Town is also well-known for its world-class wines. And one of its most popular wineries is in the regions of Cape Winelands. They offer everything from wine tasting, detailed tours, and even horseback riding in the vineyards.

Take a Historical Tour Around Robben Island

Now this is where your historical guide to Cape Town begins. Robben Island is famously known as Nelson Mandela’s place of exile for almost 30 years. It is generally known as a prison for politicians and even commoners who were seen as threats to the African rulers during the Apartheid Era. An emblem of humanity’s battle against coercion, a visit Robben Island is a must.

Go to the Rondevlei Nature Reserve

If you have an itch to be in touch with nature, then go to the Rondevlei Nature Reserve along the False Bay area. Rare species of birds are everywhere and even kids can enjoy the Reserve’s snake house and aquarium.

After the Enlightenment

Now that you know where to go during your holiday in Cape Town, all you have to worry about is your place to stay. Cape Town hotels are virtually everywhere, choosing which one is the only hard part. There are affordable inns lining the streets and pricier ones as well along the beaches or the marina. Enjoying your holiday in Cape Town is only as good as enjoying your Cape Town accommodation.

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Cape Town - Wealth of Attractions

 The City of Cape Town was founded as a trading station and stopover for passing traders, Cape Town is a city that boast of an interesting history and a promising future. The city of Cape Town recently won an award  in the International Luxury Awards held in Luagano Switzerland, the city fitted the requirements as one of the "most exclusive and unique world wide destinations". There is a wealth of attractions surrounding the city of Cape Town.

Welcome to Cape Town

With a host of activities on offer, you’re spoilt for choice. From nature reserves, scenic drives and hiking trails to adrenaline rushes in the form of the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at Bloukrans Bridge or world-class shark cage diving. In addition, we’re a golf lovers paradise sporting some of the best golf courses in the world! These are but a small sample of what is available to do. Sailing, flying, balooning, helicopter flights, climing, absailing, sport, birdwatching are other activities that spring to mind.

If Culture and Heritage is what you’re after, then there’s no shortage either. Take the ferry to Robben Island to visit liberation icon and former South Africa president, Nelson Mandela’s prison cell. Learn about apartheid. Take a township tour and experience Cape Flats and African Culture, food and way of life.
Travel to the Karoo and discover the ancient rock art of the peoples who inhabited the area for thousands of years before being overwhelmed by modern history. Explore the preserved mission stations where many of these people settled and learned the Western ways of life.
Join in the Cape Minstrel Carnival, a tradition of music and colour dating back to the American Cival War and kept alive by troups of locals in parade through the streets of Cape Town. The Carnival now has a regular date in early January.

If it’s business as usual for you then Cape Town and the Western Cape, winner of the 2008 Travel Awards for Africa’s leading destination, answers all your business needs. A convention, conference and investment hub, the destination consistently wins 90% of all conferences it bids for.

Still looking for a reason to visit us? How about joining us for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in just over two years. Share in and celebrate this historic event with us as South Africa plays host to Africa’s first ever football world cup.

Welcome to Cape Town, Welcome to our home.

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Sensational Sirloin at Headquarters Steak Restaurant in Cape Town 

 Exploring Cape Town

After arrival settle in at your accommodation in Cape Town. It will take you approximately 30 minutes to reach your hotel / guest house in Cape Town form the airport. The rest of the morning you can spend relaxing after the long flight.

In the afternoon you can pay a visit to the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Much of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront’s charm lies in the fact that this busy commercial harbour is set in the midst of a huge entertainment venue. There are pubs, restaurants, specialty shops, craft markets, theatres and movie theatres. The buildings are all in beautiful Victorian style.

Visit the Nelson Mandela Gateway to learn more about South Africa’s history and book a boat trip to Robben Island. The museum tells the story of apartheid in South Africa in the sixties.

Good Hope Nature Reserve
You can visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve the next day. Drive along one of South Africa’s most scenic and popular routes.

You drive through Sea Point, visit Hout Bay and enjoy the dramatic views from Chapman’s Peak. Then it is on to Cape Point where two marine ecosystems meet.

From here you continue to the historic naval base of Simon’s Town. Twenty-one buildings along the main street are over 150 years old and have been restored to their original Victorian splendour.

The final leg of your trip takes you through Muizenberg, to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens.

Sprawled over 560 ha on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, these world-renowned gardens are dedicated to the preservation of the indigenous plants of Southern Africa. Some 6000 different species are grown here. They include ancient cycads and many species of Protea, Erica, pelargonium and ferns.

Cape Town
Spend a leisurely day relaxing on one of Cape Town’s superb beaches the following day. Clifton, Camps Bay or Llandudno are all highly recommended.

Alternatively, Cape Town’s shopping options invite the visitor to endlessly browse. Elegant malls, antique shops, craft markets, flea markets and art galleries abound. Specialist boutiques offer an enticing array of unusual items not readily obtainable elsewhere.

Explore Adderly Street with its colourful flower market and historic buildings. Take a stroll through the Company Gardens. It is an original vegetable garden established by Jan van Riebeeck to supply local settlers and visiting ships with produce. This attractive, shady botanical garden is today a popular meeting place for the locals and tourists, and home to hundreds of squirrels.

Visit to The Groote Kerk in Adderly Street - the oldest church in South Africa.

Winelands
You have the opportunity to explore the scenic wine routes of Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch the following day.

Stellenbosch lies in a fertile valley, surrounded by vineyards, orchards and mountains. This historic town is renowned for the gracious Cape Dutch thatched and gabled buildings and stately oaks that line the streets.

It is considered one of the best-preserved towns from the era of the Dutch East India Company and it is the second oldest town in the country.

Paarl lies cradled in the verdant Berg River Valley about half an hour’s drive from Stellenbosch. It is set between the second largest granite rock in the world. This gave Paarl its name (the pearl).

Paarl’s unique architectural heritage is famous and this can be seen from the Main Road. The town encompasses a range of architectural styles dating back to the late 18th century.

The wine and fruit farms make Paarl unique. Visit some of the wine estates for cellar tours and wine tasting.

The drive to Franschhoek from Paarl is only 25minutes. Franschhoek was originally known as "Le Quartier Francais" (The French Quarter).

The rich cultural and historical heritage of Franschhoek, and its tradition of viniculture date back to 1688 when some 200 French Huguenots were appointed land in the district.

The town’s attractions don’t end with wine. This picturesque valley also offers some of South Africa’s most acclaimed restaurants with everything from Cape country fare to French cuisine. It’s not surprising that the area is known as the "Wine and Food Capital of the Cape".

Spend the last day at your leisure before returning home. Or if you have time left, take the cable cart to the top of Table Mountain for a last view of this exiting city.

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Take2 Tours

 7 Great Things To Do This Weekend in Cape Town

 101 Things to do in Cape Town for under R101

From climbing to the top of Table Mountain, horse riding on Noordhoek Beach, club-hopping to see up-and-coming South African Musicians, Dragon Boat racing at the Waterfront, Cruise around Cape Town’s historic harbour, museum visits, wine-tasting, indoor karting, Sight-seeing on the double-decker, topless City Explorer Bus, Theatrical Dining at a Restaurant in Rondebosch, places to go, things to do all for under R101.00. And about 50% of the suggestions are totally free of charge!

Visit the South African Rugby Museum in Newlands, attend a parliamentary session (no charge but bring your passport!), stroll up Government Avenue, Watch the firing of Cape Town’s Noon-day Gun on Signal Hill (it’s free), enjoy a site-seeing horse-drawn carriage tour through the streets of Cape Town (did you know that exists? I didn’t), visit the Comedy Warehouse for a good laugh or laugh yourself silly at the side-splitting comedy at Theatre Sports … so much to do, so many places to see.

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Take 2 Tours

The Wine Routes

Two things which will always be associated with the Western Cape are Wine and Whales. While the northern provinces of South Africa are traditionally big game country, not many people are aware that the big five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, rhino) roamed the valleys and mountains of the Cape until they were hunted to extinction by early settlers. In fact there are moves to bring them back to the Western Cape, (watch this space), when that happens we will in fact be able to offer the big six, with the inclusion of the Southern Right Whale.

The Cape Winelands around the range of mountains to the east of Cape Town were settled in the 1600's by settlers from European countries who brought their knowledge of viticulture with them. Many of these early settlers were French Huguenots and their legacy can still be found in the names of the estates, La Provence, La Motte, Haute Provence and L'Ormarins are some of the better known producers of fine wines founded by those early pioneers.

The Wine Route, as it is known, is a popular day tour from Cape Town with most of the estates offering wine tasting and sales. Many of them also include top quality restaurants while others provide picnic baskets which can be enjoyed on the lawns under shady oaks, one of the first to offer this type of catering is Boschendal Estate, situated between the university town of Stellenbosch and Franschoek, the estate is a producer of several excellent wines.


The pocket sized town of Franschoek boasts some 27 restaurants at last count with an enormous variety of choice, from gourmet breakfasts to top quality dinners including smoked trout from the clear and unpolluted local rivers and lakes.

A worthwhile trip is a drive over Franschoek Pass to the Elgin Valley, the foremost region in the country for the growing of apples. The pass follows the route originally taken by elephants on their travels, although it is now well maintained asphalt.

One and a half hours drive from Cape Town along the coast to the east is the town of Hermanus. Popular with Capetonians as a weekend getaway, the towns main claim to fame is the annual arrival of the whales. The Southern Right Whale, so named because it was the Right whale to hunt is one of the success stories of conservation. Although hunted to near extinction in the early part of the century, since a ban was placed on hunting the whales in 1935 they have rebounded and return annually from their feeding grounds in the southern oceans to calve in the coastal waters of the Western Cape. 

Take2Tours

Hot Air Ballooning

A Unique Experience

Bill Harrop's Balloon Safaris

The unique experience of hot air ballooning is, essentially a rather elegant, eccentric adventure in space and time, and promises an excitement all of its own. Hover at tree-top height for a chat with or a wave to a local farmer as you go. Or, if you wish, and conditions permit, your pilot can take you to soar high among the clouds.

There, from the slowly moving vantage of a hot air balloon you will experience the "720 degree" wrap-around panorama of the Magalies River Valley and nearby Hartbeespoort Dam area which, incidentally, boasts some of the best ballooning weather in the world.

On a typical Balloon Safari we can collect you from your hotel to transport you by comfortable mini-bus, or meet you at our Skeerpoort Balloon Field near Hartebeespooort Dam, just as the sun rises.

Quaff champagne as you go, and enjoy what some describe as the closest thing to heaven known to man - the "magical experience" of lazily drifting with the wind in a Hot Air Balloon, on a fascinating aerial sightseeing flight over the beautiful countryside bordering Gauteng and North-west Province.

After landing, which can be most fun of all, your ground crew, who have been following in the "retrieve vehicle", will collect you and drive you back to our well appointed Riverside Country Base where our staff will have a freshly cooked "champagne breakfast" waiting for you. Use your own transport to drive back to Johannesburg or Pretoria, rent a car from us, or let us quote you for return transport.

THIS IS NOW ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE WINE COUNTRY (near Paarl/ Cape Town) and in the Garden Route (outside Oudtshoorn).

Hot Air Ballooning In The Wine Country (near Paarl)

Cost R1950pp (Paarl/ Cape Town) including Champagne breakfast.
R2285pp Magaliesberg (near Johannesburg/ Pretoria) including Champagne breakfast.

Source: Take2Tours