Regional Tourism slogan: ‘Where fun in the sun never ends”

Where is Hessequa?
Follow the N2 national road, direction Port Elizabeth. The Hessequa is the gateway to the world-renowned Garden Route and extends from Heidelberg (273km from CT) to Witsand (267km), Riversdale (305km), Stilbaai (323km), Albertinia (339km) and Gouritsmond (370km). Other towns within the region are Slangrivier, Vermaaklikheid, Melkhoutfontein and Jongensfontein.
The region boasts diverse scenery, from winelands, blazing red carpets of aloe, pristine beaches, rivers, lagoons and mountains, to nature reserves and game farms.

There is a wealth of cultural and tourist treasures to be discovered.

Which is the largest town in Hessequa?
Riversdale is the ‘capital’ and is a three hour scenic drive (305km) from Cape Town along the N2 national road.

Is it possible to fly to Hessequa?
Not directly, but you can fly to George Airport, which is about an hour’s drive from Albertinia, and that services the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region. Alternatively you can travel by bus/coach or car from Cape Town or Port Elizabeth.

What is the climate like?
Hessequa lies in the heart of the world-renowned Garden Route, between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and enjoys moderate year-round climate: Summer average 28ºC and winter, 15ºC. The winter rains fall between May and August but do not hamper most activities.

When is the best time to visit?
Spring, summer and early autumn (September – April) are best for sun-sea-and-sand activities, but the mild climate allows for beach and river activities, mountain hikes and walking trails throughout the year.

Where are the best whale-watching vantage points?
All along the coastal reaches of the Hessequa, but the best land-based whale watching is from the pristine beaches and walking trails of Witsand. The village is known as THE Whale Nursery of southern Africa due to the large number of whales that migrate to San Sebastian Bay annually from August to November.

Are there any game-viewing opportunities?
As part of the World Heritage Site Cape Floral Kingdom, the region is rich in fauna (small game) and flora. The Big 5 (lion, buffalo, elephant, leopard and rhinoceros) can be seen at the local game farm near Albertinia.

Our towns and activities
Witsand: THE Whale Nursery!
Known as THE Whale Nursery of southern Africa, the village boasts four kilometers of pristine beaches, magnificent Cape fynbos that forms part of the Seven Floral Kingdoms of the World, and more than 180 bird species.
De Hoop Nature and Marine Reserve hosts 3000ha of unspoilt Cape fynbos and is home to the endangered Cape mountain Zebra and Cape vulture.
The nearby ‘pont’ (ferry) crossing is the last hand-operated ferry in South Africa.
Between July and November, the mighty 58-ton southern right whales migrate to San Sebastian Bay to calve and frolic in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. As many as 70 can be seen on any one day, but up to 233 have been recorded.
Can you imagine the thrill of watching a baby whale being born, then tossed into the air by the midwife to enable it to gasp its first breath of air!

Heidelberg: Eco-tourism at its best!
Situated on the banks of the Duivenhoks River, between the beautiful Langeberg Mountains and warm Indian Ocean, this quiet hamlet and second oldest town lies in one of the most scenically preserved regions of the Western Cape.

Beautiful old Gothic and Cape-style buildings dating back 200 years are dotted around the town and on local farms.

There are nature reserves and, as part of the World Heritage Site Cape Floral Kingdom, carpets of exquisite Cape fynbos. It is a true birders’ paradise set amid unspoiled indigenous forest adjacent to the 14 200ha Boosmansbos Wilderness Area.

Visit the traditional little settlement at Slangrivier where the locals have many a tale to tell or the little village of Vermaaklikheid on the banks of the Duivenhoks River.

Riversdale: Nature and adventure combined
Riversdale is a flourishing country town dotted with quaint and elegant historical buildings and is well worth discovering on foot.
Several tours and outings are available - For the adventurous there are 4x4 trails on the slopes of the Langeberg Mountains and abseiling down the vertical face of a waterfall, and kloofing.
Prehistoric rock paintings can be viewed before you end off the perfect day around a campfire high up in the mountain.
Nature- lovers can revel in the rich flora and fauna, unique fynbos and variety of animal and birdlife. There are a number of farms and nature reserves in the region.
Visit the Old Tollhouse on the Garcia Pass to enjoy a picnic lunch under the old oak tree. At The Aardvark Nature Reserve, 40km from Riversdale in the Succulent Karoo, guides will introduce you to the magic of the ecosystem.

Stilbaai: Fun in the sun!
Situated on the estuary of the navigable Goukou River and along the beaches of the warm Indian Ocean, Stilbaai offers safe swimming, white sandy beaches, whale-watching, indigenous flora and fauna, and a mild climate make it a perfect all-year-round destination.
Feed the tame eels, enjoy sun-sea-and-sand activities and river and beach festivals. The annual ‘beach touch rugby’ is one of the festivals that draw thousands of visitors from near and far.
The region has a rich heritage and ancient fish traps and shell middens dating back 2000 years can be seen as well as rock art from the renowned Blombos Cave.

Albertinia: Home of the Aloe!
Blazing orange carpets of Aloe rising out of the fynbos are a sure sign that you’re entering the country’s ‘aloe capital’.
Aloe products produced here are distributed worldwide and the town is also an important thatch and ochre supplier.
Enjoy an eclectic mix of attractions and activities, including a pukka South African game drive experience, as you follow in the footsteps of the BIG FIVE, 4x4 trailing and bird-watching along the banks of the Gourits River,
Many unique Cape fynbos, can be found in the region. A great place for viewing is along the Dunes Country Route that snakes through the Canca Valley.
Quality wines are produced on the foothills of the mountain and wine tasting is now a popular tourist activity.

Gouritsmond: Best fishing along the coastline!
Beaches are tranquil and the Gourits River flows, virtually undisturbed, into the inviting Indian Ocean.
The ‘small village with the big heart’ comes alive during the spring and summer as tourists descend for skiing on the Gourits River, boating and rubber-ducking, or simply chilling out on the long stretch of sandy white beach.
Set out on a deep sea fishing adventure or ski on the Gourits River.
There are great lookout points from where you can see the Southern Right whales frolicking offshore, or perhaps you’ll be lucky and see one of these mighty ships of the sea calving in the warm waters.
Fauna and flora hiking trails are worth discovering and for the more adventurous, there are 4x4 trails.
Nothing pretentious in Gouritsmond, just home-grown hospitality, home cooking and home-from-home accommodation.