The Whale Trail is a gorgeous and remote 56-kilometer trek along the southern tip of Africa. It's named for the crowds of southern right whales that can be glimpsed offshore. These marine giants can grow to up to 15 meters in length and can weigh more than 47 tons. They're easily recognized by the callosities, often mistaken for barnacles, that cover their heads and blowholes.
Whale Trail —
The Whale Trail is a gorgeous and remote 56-kilometer trek along the southern tip of Africa. It's named for the crowds of southern right whales that can be glimpsed offshore. These marine giants can grow to up to 15 meters in length and can weigh more than 47 tons. They're easily recognized by the callosities, often mistaken for barnacles, that cover their heads and blowholes.
Megan King
The area is also renowned for its rare plantlife, including fynbos -- a unique and strikingly beautiful group of flora endemic to a small section of South Africa's Western Cape. It's the smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms, but with around 9,000 species it's one of the most diverse. It's also the only floral kingdom to occur entirely in one country.
Rare flora —
The area is also renowned for its rare plantlife, including fynbos -- a unique and strikingly beautiful group of flora endemic to a small section of South Africa's Western Cape. It's the smallest of the world's six floral kingdoms, but with around 9,000 species it's one of the most diverse. It's also the only floral kingdom to occur entirely in one country.
Megan King
The first stretch of the trail descends from Potberg Mountain and meanders through the fynbos plains of De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop encompasses 84,000 acres of coastal and mountain reserve offering whale-watching, hiking trails and rich wildlife.
Potberg Mountain —
The first stretch of the trail descends from Potberg Mountain and meanders through the fynbos plains of De Hoop Nature Reserve. De Hoop encompasses 84,000 acres of coastal and mountain reserve offering whale-watching, hiking trails and rich wildlife.
Megan King
The Cape Floral Region is the only floral kingdom to occur entirely in one country. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.
Cape Floral Region —
The Cape Floral Region is the only floral kingdom to occur entirely in one country. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004.
Megan King
The first, and toughest, part of the trail leads from Potsberg to Cupidoskraal, where it's possible to overnight at this isolated cottage. The next day it's on to Noetzie and the coast.
Cupidoskraal —
The first, and toughest, part of the trail leads from Potsberg to Cupidoskraal, where it's possible to overnight at this isolated cottage. The next day it's on to Noetzie and the coast.
Megan King
Because of its diversity of forms, protea is named after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape at will. Protea plants are also known as sugarbushes, from the Afrikaans word suikerbos.
Fynbos from the protea family —
Because of its diversity of forms, protea is named after the Greek god Proteus, who could change his shape at will. Protea plants are also known as sugarbushes, from the Afrikaans word suikerbos.
Megan King
The marine reserve extends five kilometers into the ocean and is one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in Africa. It conserves a vast and fascinating variety of marine life.
Rock pools at Noetzie Bay —
The marine reserve extends five kilometers into the ocean and is one of the largest Marine Protected Areas in Africa. It conserves a vast and fascinating variety of marine life.
Megan King
The emerald-colored rock pools along the path leading from Noetsie Bay to Hammerkop offer bathing opportunities just meters from the crashing waves along the coast.
Safe for swimming —
The emerald-colored rock pools along the path leading from Noetsie Bay to Hammerkop offer bathing opportunities just meters from the crashing waves along the coast.
Megan King
A short detour from the path leads to the pebbled beach and rock pools at Stilgat.
Stilgat —
A short detour from the path leads to the pebbled beach and rock pools at Stilgat.
Megan King
The trail includes five overnight stops, with transport contractors on stand-by to port luggage to the next cottage. Reservations are limited to group bookings of six or 12.
Rock pools at Stilgat —
The trail includes five overnight stops, with transport contractors on stand-by to port luggage to the next cottage. Reservations are limited to group bookings of six or 12.
Megan King
A hiker stands on the epic path towards Hamerkop watching the whales breach in the ocean. The callused markings on the whales' heads are used to track them, as each one is as unique as a fingerprint.
Hamerkop —
A hiker stands on the epic path towards Hamerkop watching the whales breach in the ocean. The callused markings on the whales' heads are used to track them, as each one is as unique as a fingerprint.
Megan King
The cottage at Hamerkop is set between fynos and sand dunes and is an example of Cape Dutch, an Afrikaner architectural style developed in the 17th century.
Cape Dutch architecture —
The cottage at Hamerkop is set between fynos and sand dunes and is an example of Cape Dutch, an Afrikaner architectural style developed in the 17th century.
Megan King
The 10-kilometer stretch between Hammerkop and Vaalkrans is mostly a beach walk. Oystercatchers and whitebreasted cormorants are some of the bird life that can be spotted en route.
Hamerkop to Vaalkrans —
The 10-kilometer stretch between Hammerkop and Vaalkrans is mostly a beach walk. Oystercatchers and whitebreasted cormorants are some of the bird life that can be spotted en route.
Megan King
Formations of intertidal pools on wave-cut rock platforms and coral reefs on Lekkerwater beach. Lekkerwater Lodge is the former vacation home of F.W. De Klerk, the last president of apartheid-era South Africa.
Lekkerwater beach —
Formations of intertidal pools on wave-cut rock platforms and coral reefs on Lekkerwater beach. Lekkerwater Lodge is the former vacation home of F.W. De Klerk, the last president of apartheid-era South Africa.
Megan King
The final night is spent atop a cave in the Vaalkrans stone cottage where waves can be heard crashing onto sculpting the jagged shorelines beneath the cliffs.
Vaalkrans —
The final night is spent atop a cave in the Vaalkrans stone cottage where waves can be heard crashing onto sculpting the jagged shorelines beneath the cliffs.
Megan King
The magic of the Whale Trail lies in its quietude. The only other humans you'll meet are the group you arrived with, allowing you to enjoy undisturbed contact with the wilderness. <br />
Hikers rest on the cliffs near Vaalkrans —
The magic of the Whale Trail lies in its quietude. The only other humans you'll meet are the group you arrived with, allowing you to enjoy undisturbed contact with the wilderness.
Megan King