The map above shows the area from Cape Town in the West to Barrydale in the East. The area in green visually indicates the Overberg. All towns on the map contain useful information such as major attractions, shows and festivals, sporting facilities and services such as banks and postal services. Click on the town of your choice to view this information.

The Weather:
The climate is typically Mediterranean with cool wet winters and pleasant summers.

Financial Facts:
The unit of currency is the South African Rand (R), consisting of 100 cents (c). Bank notes are issued in denominations of R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200. Coins are in denominations of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, R1, R2 and R5.
Most credit cards are accepted at points of sale and service, as are traveller's cheques in major currencies.
Foreign currency may be exchanged at any commercial bank represented in the region.
For foreign exchange rates, click HERE

Getting around:
For car rentals and information and pricing click HERE
A well laid out road network links major towns and villages in the region. White lines on the map above indicate tarred roads and the brown lines dirt or gravel roads. The pale blue line indicates the N2 highway.
Driving hints: The rule of the road in South Africa is to keep to the left of the road as opposed to many other countries where drivers keep to the right. Please keep this in mind at ALL times if new to our roads. On freeways, a 120 km per hour speed limit is strictly enforced and in urban ares the speed limit is 60 km per hour. This speed limit is also strictly enforced as is a ban on drinking and driving. Penalties for driving over the legal alcohol limit are severe (0.08%). Use of seat belts and carrying your driver's license at all times (when the car is in motion) are compulsory. Failure to comply will result in a fine and/or prosecution.

What to see:
The mountains, kloofs and coastal plains of the southwestern Cape are the natural realm of the most varied assembly of plant species on earth - the Cape Floral Kingdom. The greatest variety of fynbos species occurs in the Cape Overberg region.
In the country seasonal changes are distinct, and each season has its own enchantment. Midsummer with its ripening orchards and vineyards occur in December and January. Late summer (February and March) is the sheep shearing and lambing season. Wine grapes are harvested from January to March. April and May (autumn) are the months for ploughing, cultivating and planting. Winter, although generally mild, is the time for snow-capped mountains, winter waterfalls, log fires, onion broth, duck down and feathers. In June and July (midwinter) unsurpassed rural splendour, green tranquility and blooming proteas surround you. Spring, occurring from August to October, sees the advent of apple, pear, plum and youngberry blossoms and spectacular wild and crop flowers. November is the month for reaping, cut flowers and roses. A wealth of seed eating birds, including large flocks of the endangered Blue Crane, frequent farmlands and between September and December breeding pairs may be spotted.
Bontebok National Park near Swellendam and De Hoop Nature Reserve near Waenhuiskrans/Arniston provide a refuge for one of the rarest antelope species in southern Africa; the bontebok. Cape mountain zebra, red hartebeest, eland and smaller antelope species are also found here. Shy, nocturnal leopard are rare, but individuals are still found in mountainous areas.
Southern Right whales frequent the sheltered bays along the Overberg coast between June and November each year to mate, calve and nurse their young.
The open ocean habitat attracts many deep-sea birds, including albatrosses, shearwaters and petrels. The tiny Damara tern and black oystercatcher are endemic to South Africa and are the Overberg's rarest breeding coastal birds.