The Southern Cape’s interior is characterized by its towering mountains, whose high-walled passes offer visitors a number of awe-inspiring scenic drives. The region’s largest town, Oudtshoorn, upholds its reputation as ostrich farming capital, while on the coast, tourist are drawn to Hermanus every year to watch southern right whales from excellent vantage points along the coast.

The quaint seaside towns of the Southern Cape lie in a region known as the Overberg, which extends east of the Hottentots Holland Mountains and is defined to the north by the Riviersonderend mountains and the Langeberg and Outenique ranges.

The Overberg was populated by the nomadic Khoina, attracted by abundant mountain water and grazing for their herds. Elohant and other wildlife also roamed the area; in fact, the pass follows an ancient migratory trail, named eland’s path by the indigenous peoples.