Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

ing it to life for people. Some of the best-known museums include the South AfricanMuseum in Cape Town with its fusion of nature and culture, the South African MaritimeMuseum with its real-life, floating ship exhibits, and the Robben Island Exhibition andInformation Centre, an important reminder of our history, and which is now a World HeritageSite.CAPE WHALE ROUTEHumpback whales migrate along the Western Cape coast en route to their feeding andbreeding grounds off Mozambique and Angola. Bryde's whales are found in False Bay allyear round, and the orca (killer whale) is also occasionally seen. The presence of thesegentle giants draws many visitors to the Cape shores every year from June to November,evidence of the fascination they have always held for people.The whales share these waters with many other marine species, such as dolphins and sealswhose activities are also a pleasure to watch. Heaviside and dusky dolphins are found in thecolder waters on the western side of the Peninsula, and bottlenose, common and humpbackdolphins often visit the eastern (False Bay) side. Large numbers of Cape fur seals can alsobe seen throughout the year.The Cape Whale Route stretches for 900 km around the southern tip of Africa. In 1998 thisroute won the British Airways “Tourism for Tomorrow” Award. Boat-based whalewatchingis legal in South Africa, but only a few operators have been granted boat-basedwhale-watching permits. Make sure that you procure the services of one of these companies.The MTN Whale Route Hotline at +27 (0) 83 910-1028 has day-to-day updated information inseason of where whales can be seen.14