8
WAVE TO
THE WHALES
Spring in the Cape sees
hundreds of southern
right whales arrive on their annual
holiday from Antarctica, making use
of the warm waters and calm coves
to calve. For whale watching without
the crowds head for the rustic-luxe
chalets of the De Hoop Nature
Reserve. There’s also wonderful
Game drive at Thanda Safari.
whale watching along the beaches
of Struisbaai and the rocky shores
of Cape Agulhas, while the steep
cliffs of De Kelders, Gansbaai and
Hermanus often offer up views of
the blubbery visitors just metres
from shore. Add a little culture to
your cetaceans by booking your
trip to coincide with the 26th
annual Hermanus Whale Festival
(September 29 to October 1).
TAKE A
MIDLANDS MEANDER
Hire a car and hit the highways
and byways of the KwaZulu-Natal
Midlands before the summertime crowds
arrive. Just an hour’s drive from Durban,
you’ll be hard-pressed to choose how to
spend your days: zip-line through the high
boughs of the Karkloof forests? Learn how
to cast a line for trout in local streams?
Watch the world-famous artisans of Ardmore
at work? Settle into a table by the fire for
gourmet country cuisine at Granny Mouse?
Or make for the surrounding Drakensberg
Mountains? Our advice? Book an extra night.
10
GO ON A
SAFARI SPLURGE
While the summer rains
transform the Lowveld into a lush green
wonderland, safari aficionados argue spring is the
ideal time to book a safari. You’ll avoid the searing
heat of summer but benefit from the warming
days. And, best of all, the lack of rain over the
winter means the vegetation is sparse and the land
is dry. That means better game viewing from the
vehicle, and wildlife flocking to waterholes and
perennial rivers.
Your choice of lodge depends on the depths of
your pockets – ask your Sure Travel consultant for
recommendations, or browse through options on
www.suretravel.co.za
MAKE MEMORIES FOR LIFE // 39