Luxury Southern African Travel

Hermanus is a tiny coastal village on the southern coast of South Africa’s Western Province. Its claim to fame is for being regarded as one of the best whale spotting venues in the world. The Hermanus Whale Festival, 24-27 September 2009, celebrates the annual return of the Southern Right Whales. For 4 days the quiet little village is turned into a mega music, food and fun festival that draws thousands of visitors from all over the country, as well as abroad.

Activities such as a sustainable lifestyle expo, the whales and wheels car show, wine tasting, kiddies markets, art exhibits, and live music, rock throughout the weekend.

Hermanus even has its own whale crier. Pieter Claasen’s kelp horn was first heard in 1992. Pieter, then an employee of the Old Harbour, was the first Whale Crier and he went on to the UK where he was guest of honour at the annual Town Crier’s competition. He has since retired and his position has been taken over by Wilson Salakusana.

In the months of June through November, when Southern Right whales come to frolic, mate and calve in the warm waters of the bay, it is Wilson’s mission to alert hundreds of shore-based whale watchers to the whereabouts of the whales. He does this by blowing his kelp horn. The sandwich board he wears tells whale watchers how to interpret the code which will lead them to the spots where the whales have been sighted.

Visit www.whalefestival.co.za, for more info and be sure to book soon as this is one popular festival.