Birkenhead House, South Africa Vacations, Honeymoons and Luxury Travel Packages

In 1969, one wing of the Birkenhead Hotel burnt to the ground. Due to many of the visitors falling in love with the area the property market boomed, which had a detrimental effect on the hotel industry. In 1989 the Birkenhead Hotel was demolished to make way for the demand for prime property. Three years later Phil and Liz Biden bought and built a holiday home on the property. After the huge success of developing their other two holiday homes, La Residence and Royal Malewane, into exclusive holiday destinations, they decided to follow suit with Birkenhead House.

Dyer Island Cruises

A unique whale watching experience in season. Departs from Kleinbaai Harbour every day in a custom built boat with a raised viewing platform. Dyer Island cruises invite you on an unforgettable journey to the domain of the Southern Right Whale with their accomplished skipper and trained guides. During the voyage around Dyer Island, you will also experience a great diversity of marine wildlife, including African Penguins, Cape Fur Seals, Great White Sharks and various sea birds.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

This internationally recognized Nature Reserve is the largest private fynbos conservation area in the world. Day trips are offered to our guests from Birkenhead House to enjoy this very special environment. This will include guides that are qualified botanists, a walk through this unique eco-system, a luncheon and whale watching in season.

Hermanus Orientation Tour

Get taken out for a tour around Hermanus to see the variety of shops, restaurants and places of interest in and around town.

Stanford Tour

Taste local cheeses and see them being made, then onto the local Birkenhead Brewery to sample their lagers and stouts, from there a two minute drive into Stanford for a wander around and some lunch.

Shark Diving

Spend the day with the legendary Brian McFarlane, the best and most experienced shark man in Southern Africa.

Get up close and personal to learn all about these wonderful and much maligned creatures. You can play ‘bait’ in the cage with just a few inches between you and the sharpest teeth in the marine kingdom.

Local Wine Tour

The Hemel n’Aarde Valley is one of South Africa’s best kept secrets. The valley boasts four amazing wine vineyards, award winning wines and breath taking scenery. Meet the wine makers, taste the wines, tour the cellars and learn a few things about the South African wine industry.

This rather spectacular valley, which runs 50km from the ocean in Hermanus to the famous wheat growing town of Caledon, is home of one of the worlds top 10 Chardonnay’s, an award winning Pinot Noir and also produces South Africa’s most expensive export wine. You can visit the famous Hamilton–Russell vineyard, Bouchard Finlayson and Beaumont.

Sea Kayaking

Spend a morning out at sea, kayaking between the old and new harbour with the chance of seeing whales and seals and relishing the beauty of the scenic coast line and Kleinriver mountains. Sea Kayaking is the only permitted water sport allowed in the Walker Bay Whale Sanctuary.

Boat Fishing

Departing daily from the New Harbour in Hermanus, let the very experienced, local fisherman, Burt, take you fishing in beautiful Walker Bay. You may be lucky enough to spot dolphins and a Southern Right Whale.

Horse Riding

Rides can be arranged for a full two hours on the beach or just meander through the local vineyards. The vineyard rides are very relaxed and ideal for “first timers”. Experienced riders will enjoy the beach ride.

Scuba Diving

NAUI training certification courses are available, ranging from day snorkeling trips to instructor courses.Boat dives, shore entry dives, night dives, deep dives, gear rentals, air fills, underwater photography opportunities, crayfish chartering or boat charters are all available.

Golf

There are two golf courses in the area – The ‘friendly’ Hermanus golf course located between Birkenhead House and the centre of town or the more sophisticated and manicured course at Arabella Country Estate which is about half an hour out of town. This internationally known Golf Estate boasts 18 holes in a magnificent environment, which has been earmarked to become a “World Heritage Site”.

Renting bikes

Rent bikes for the day to explore local area and surroundings.

Yoga

Depending on demand, we can arrange a teacher to come and give lessons on the deck at Birkenhead House.

Township Tour

Get a taste of the unique culture that developed in South Africa’s black townships by embarking on a Zwelihle Township Tour (walking tour). This cultural tour presents an opportunity for tourists to gain an insight into township life and to experience UBUNTU, ‘The Traditional African Hospitality’. It provides a fascinating way for domestic and international tourists to get to know more about the living conditions of local township inhabitants in Zwelihle.

Bird Watching

Around 60 species have been recorded on Hermanus’ cliff paths, the most common being the Cape Cormorant, Kelp Gull, Cape Robin, Rock Pigeon, and Cape Francolin. While the cliffs are alive with feathered life, Hermanus’ two large lagoons positively buzz with it. Around 187 different bird types have been spotted at the bird sanctuary surrounding the Bot River lagoon and the Afdaks River that feeds it.

Deep Sea Fishing

Enjoy the adrenalin rush of this exciting sport.

Quad Biking

34 Degrees South, Cape L’Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. An eco-adventure through the national park on an automatic four wheel drive quad bike. This tour includes drives through some of the most exquisite towns and villages in the Overberg region.

VH