Wintertime in the Glorious Western Cape

One of the most beautiful provinces in South Africa, the Western Cape is a small yet perfectly formed region on the country's southern tip. It lies between the Indian Ocean to the south and the Atlantic to the west, and offers long stretches of sandy beaches and a sun-drenched hinterland swathed in vineyards set against a mountainous backdrop.

24th April, 2023 | Travel Inspiration

Your two Club Homes in Western Cape are both within easy reach of Cape Town, Hermanus and all the region's top attractions, from the iconic Table Mountain and the V&A Waterfront to the Stellenbosch Wine Route.

South Africa's winter is mostly pleasant sunny weather with cloudless blue skies, punctuated now and then by a few days of cold fronts. The winter months are June, July and August but there are many exciting activities and things to see and do this time of the year.

Whale Watching

The Whale Season of Hermanus occurs during winter when the mighty whales migrate to this part of the marine world. The sight of these magnificent creatures gliding through the coastal waters of Hermanus makes winter the best season of the year to explore this city.

Animal encounters

The below organisations offer the chance to see some of the magnificent animals native to South Africa:

Wine Tasting

Top wine experiences in Hermanus Areas (Hemel en Aarde Valley):

La Vierge Winery and Restaurant
Newton Johnson Vineyards
Spookfontein
Ataraxia
Creation Wines
Bouchard Finlayson
Or enjoy a vineyard safari tour with Wine Hoppers.

Top wine experiences around Cape Town:

Nature & hikes

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Take the Aerial Cableway on a five-minute ride to the top of Table Mountain, the 7th Natural Wonder of the World. Make your next trip a memorable one with a spectacular winter sunset. Buy an afternoon ticket, valid from 1pm onwards, and take the last trip down while the sun descends over the Mother City. Please book in advance to avoid waiting.

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape Point, just 60km outside Cape Town, is a spectacular sight. With towering stone cliffs, endemic fynbos, breath-taking bays, beaches and rolling green hills and valleys, it's definitely worth adding to your Cape Town list.

Signal Hill

Signal Hill, connecting Kloof Nek to Lion's Head in the distinctive shape of a lion's rump, is one of the most famous spots in Cape Town for sundowners. Views from the 350m high summit are nothing short of spectacular, particularly at night, and picnic dinners with accompanying drinks is something of a capital pastime.

Lion's Head

Lion's Head in Cape Town is a peak situated at 669 metres above sea level. The hike up takes approximately 90 minutes at a moderate pace. The views from Lion's Head are amazing and hiking is the preferred route for mountain enthusiasts, the easiest of the routes in Cape Town.

Victoria & Alfred Waterfront

The V&A Waterfront is a 123-hectare mixeduse destination, and one of Africa's most visited cultural and historical hubs. Set on the edge of a natural, historic working harbour with the iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop, it offers local and international visitors a cosmopolitan mix of experiences ranging from leisure, shopping and exclusive entertainment.

Diving with Great White Sharks

Gansbaai is known as the Great White Capitalof the world as it is the only place where you can dive with Great White Sharks all year round. Only a two-hour scenic drive from Cape Town, Great White Shark Cage Diving in Gansbaai is without a doubt the most exhilarating and adrenalin pumping experience. The biggest sharks of the year are often seen in Autumn and Winter.

Nature & Art

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden

Nestled at the eastern foot of Table Mountain, the garden is one of 10 National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa's six different biomes and administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. It also includes a venue for sunset concerts.

Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa

Zeitz MOCAA opened in 2017 as the largest museum of contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora.

Dine around

The region's flavoursome cuisine reflects its rich cultural heritage while its award-winning wines complement each dish perfectly. Below we have listed a few of the region's best restaurants that are accessible from Villa Arabella and Villa Steenberg.