The Garden Route

Whale Spotting in Hermanus

Whale spotting season runs from June to December in South Africa, and nowhere is better to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures that Hermanus. From the pretty coastal town, you’ll find a number of boat trips to take you out to sea where you can get up close as the migrating Southern Right Whales pass by on their migration from their Antarctic feeding grounds.

Tasting the Western Cape’s Best Wines

Home to the majority of South Africa’s wine production, the western cape wine region hosts a number of award-winning wineries such as Waterford Estate, Spier Wine Farm and Vergelegen Estate. The two most famous wine destinations in the country can be found here, Stellenbosch and Paarl.

Safari Drives

How could we talk about South Africa without mentioning the world class safari opportunities? the country’s third largest of its 20 National Parks sits just off the Garden Route, making it an easy addition to any trip and one that ticks off a huge item from many people’s bucket list. Addo Elephant National Park houses around elephants, endangered black rhinos, Cape buffaloes, Lion, and spotted hyena.

Dining in Cape Town

Enjoying a fortuitous location sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and one of the world’s best wine regions, Cape Town’s dining scene has a lot to offer for seafood aficionados and wine connoisseurs. Head to Willoughby & Co. in the V&A Waterfront for reliably delicious seafood, or for a taste of Japan, try Kyoto Garden Sushi.

Climbing Table Mountain

The iconic snapshot of Table Mountain looming over Cape Town is etched into the memory of everyone that has been lucky enough to visit the city. The mountains most popular route, Platteklip Gorge Trail, heads straight for the summit, with very little weaving, which makes for a quick ascent. If you’ve time to spare, then take the 12 Apostles Trail to avoid the crowds and capture a photo at the diving board cliff edge.

To book your Garden Route trip, get in touch today. You’ll benefit from full financial protection and a 24-hour duty office ready to assist you before, during and after your trip.

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There's something wonderfully unifying about a great beer festival. Whether you're a seasoned taster or simply someone who appreciates a well-poured pint in fine company, these events bring together the best brews, the warmest crowds, and traditions worth crossing continents for. We've rounded up five of the finest beer festivals on the planet, each with its own character and each deserving of a spot on your bucket list. Grab a glass, and let's raise a toast to the world's most memorable beer celebrations.

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Top tips for the responsible traveller

23 July 2026

Wherever your next Travel Counsellors’ trip will take you, we hope you’re looking forward to the amazing memories you’re sure to create. To help ensure that you tread a little lighter and enrich the places you visit along the way, we’ve gathered some top tips for responsible travelling that we’ve assembled with support from our sustainable tourism charity partner, The Travel Foundation.