Hermanus - A Nature Enthusiast's Paradise

Seaside Escape Hermanus is a coastal town located less than an hour's drive from Cape Town and is an extremely popular holiday destination amongst both domestic and international tourists. Hermanus is known as the "heart of the Whale Coast" and is recognised by World Wildlife Fund as the best land-based whale watching area in the world. It is in the bays of Hermanus that the enormous Southern Right Whales come to calve and whale watching is best between the months of September and November. Apart from the excellent whale watching opportunities a host of outdoor activities for nature lovers in the surrounding mountains and Fernkloof Nature Reserve are what draw visitors to the town. The pristine beaches, outdoor markets, fantastic restaurants and boat trips add to the appeal of bustling seaside resort. Fernkloof's Floral Kingdom The Cape floral kingdom is the smallest of the six recognised kingdoms in the world, yet in relation to its size it exhibits the greatest biodiversity. Fernkloof Nature Reserve is nestled in the mountains above Hermanus and comprises of 1 800 hectares of pristine mountain and coastal fynbos. The name of the principal vegetation type of this region is derived from the Dutch word 'fijn bosch' which is the collective name for a multitude of evergreen shrub-like plants with small firm leaves and woody plants with hard leathery leaves. Over 1100 species of fynbos have been identified in this reserve which protects coastal plants, fynbos and a small patch of evergreen forest. Carnivorous The Fernkloof Nature Reserve is home to the largest carnivorous plant in the world and many are attracted to the reserve to behold this fascinating giant of the carnivorous world. The Roridula (or vlie