South africa

Elephants, lions, rhinos, hippos, crocodiles – South Africa is home to an endless number of exciting animals. Including right Whales!

Photo: Shutterstock

whales: South Africa

Hermanus at the South African coast is one of the world's most popular whale-watching spots. Over 400,000 people come here every year to see the giant southern right whales – even from land.

In South Africa, southern right whales are the main focus from June to November, with most sightings occurring between July and October. Occasionally, humpback whales, orcas, Bryde's whales and various dolphin species can also be seen here, but the majority of whale watchers are here for the massive and playful southern right whales.

As they sometimes get very close to the coast, they can also be observed from land in numerous places – the Western Cape of South Africa is even considered one of the best places in the world for whale watching from land.

The centre of South African whale watching is Hermanus, located on Walker Bay, 100 kilometres east of Cape Town. There is also a multi-day whale festival here at the end of September, which attracts up to 100,000 people every year. Over 400,000 people visit Hermanus every year to see southern right whales.

A southern right whale off the coast of South Africa. In many areas, they can also be observed from land. Photo: Shutterstock

Hermanus even employs a "whale crier" whose main task is to blow a horn as soon as southern right whales are sighted in Walker Bay. The signals vary and thus provide information on how many whales have been sighted and where exactly they are.

Between September and October, daily sightings are largely guaranteed, especially from the higher cliffs where the favourite breeding grounds of southern right whales can be easily overlooked.

The population of southern right whales has increased significantly on the South African coast in recent years, so that whale watching is also possible in many other places along the coast, especially in Cape Town, Plettenberg Bay, Gansbaai, Simon's Town and from Table Mountain National Park.

The populations of the other whale species found here have also increased in recent years, meaning that South Africa is perhaps no longer only interesting because of the southern right whales.

Photo: Shutterstock

TO DO: South Africa

In South Africa, almost everything revolves around the "Big Five" – elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and lions. But Africa's only penguin colony in the south of Cape Town is also very much worth a visit. And if you are brave enough, you can also encounter great white sharks underwater.

Table Mountain in Cape Town is South Africa's landmark and with over 2,000 different plant species and over 1,400 flower species it is one of the "New 7 Wonders of Nature". Accessible via a cable car and well suited for hiking, you have an excellent view over the city all the way down to the Cape of Good Hope.

The penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simons Town is part of the national park and located about 45 minutes south of Cape Town on False Bay. It is the only colony of penguins in Africa (African Penguins, also known as jackass penguins). Two animals found their way here in the early 1980s and since then the colony has grown to 2,500 and counting.

Tourists are delighted, the animals are anything but shy – you can even swim with them. Residents, on the other hand, are rather annoyed, as the penguins are everywhere and keep encroaching on the upmarket residential neighbourhood – and their noise is reminiscent of donkeys.

“The colony at Boulders Beach is the only penguin colony in the whole of Africa. Two animals accidentally strayed here at the beginning of the 1980s – and now there are over 2,500...”

The coasts of South Africa are home to many great white sharks, which are the largest and most dangerous predators in the world's oceans – after orcas. Cage diving with great white sharks is one of South Africa's main attractions, but those who don't dare go underwater can also simply watch them from a boat. Problem: The animals are often lured with bait. The main season is between May and October, half-day tours in False Bay or from Gansbaai cost from 150 euros.

In Hout Bay, 20 kilometres west of Cape Town, you can swim with fur seals in shark-free waters. Duiker Island is home to over 10,000 animals, which are very curious and playful towards humans, but not dangerous.

The Cango Caves system is one of the oldest tourist attractions in the country and, with its huge stalactite formations, is considered one of the most beautiful caves in the world. There are three chambers, the largest is around 18 metres high, 50 metres wide and 90 metres long, the entrance to the narrowest section is less than half a metre wide. Easy and difficult tours are available.

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Located in the north on the border to Mozambique, Kruger National Park is the largest wildlife reserve in South Africa – home to thousands of lions, hyenas, elephants, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, buffaloes, antelopes, hippos and crocodiles, making the park one of the most biodiverse areas in the world. In South Africa, people often talk about the "BIG FIVE", meaning elephants, rhinos, buffalo, leopards and lions. There are numerous camps in the park where you can stay overnight during a round trip. Guided walks are also possible.

The Addo Elephant National Park in the south is home to elephants, lions, buffalo, rhinos, leopards, hyenas, antelopes and zebras. As the park is located close to the coast, you have the unique opportunity to go from "BIG FIVE" to "BIG SEVEN" with great white sharks and right whales.

In the far east of South Africa, you can take a boat trip from Santa Lucia to the crocodiles and hippos of the lake of the same name. Around 800 hippos and 1,000 crocodiles live here. Although they look friendly, hippos are among the most dangerous animals in Africa.