The Hermanus Whale Festival, the only Enviro-Arts festival in South Africa is held annually in September to celebrate the return of the Southern Right Whales to the waters of Walker Bay, Hermanus which is the best land based whale watching destination in the world. This is a fantastic addition to a South African travel itinerary (especially for those visiting Cape Town) and is a popular attraction for families.
From early June until November, the whales come so close to the Hermanus shoreline (within 200 meters) that they can be viewed from the strategically positioned boutique hotels situated along the coastline. The town even employs a whale crier who walks through the town announcing the places where the whales have been spotted.
The Southern Right Whale is a baleen whale, one of the three species classified as the Right Whale belonging to the genus Eubalaena. There are around 7,500 Southern Right Whales spread throughout the southern part of the Southern Hemisphere.
There has been historical disagreement on whether to classify the populations of Eubalaena whales as one, two or three species. Morphological factors indicate that there were at least two species. One in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Ocean. No group of Right Whales has been known to swim through the warm equatorial waters to make contact with and breed with the other sub species. Recent studies have proved this to be correct.
Southern Right Whales are distinguished from other whales by the callosities on their heads, a broad back, absent dorsal fins and a long, arching mouth that begins above the eye. The body is dark grey or black with with some white patches on the belly. The length of the Right Back Whale is between 11-18 metres (36-59ft) and they can weigh up to 100 tonnes. The females have a gestational period of 1 year.
One behaviour that is unique to this whales is called 'sailing', where the whales use their elevated flukes to catch the wind. It is interpreted as a form of play and is seen on the coast of South Africa and Argentina. Another interesting behavioural pattern is the fidelity of a mother to its feeding and calving habitats. This instinct is very strong and is passed down to the calves.
The Southern Right Whales are listed as endangered species and have been protected since 1946 in the territorial waters of the countries where they breed.
Hermanus boasts some world class hotels. It is a cosmopolitan town that has retained some of its historical fishermans village heritage. The harbour has been restored and gives visitors a glimpse of times past. For those looking for an adrenalin filled activity, shark cage diving gives you the opportunity to get up close and personal with these magnificent sea predators.
A visit to Hermanus can easily be combined with a malaria free safari in the Eastern Cape. Some excellent family lodges/hotels include the Grootbos Nature Reserve, Long Lee Manor, the beautiful Cape Grace and the Waterfront Apartments.
Article Source: http://articlesabroad.com
About the Author:
Jane Harmsen is a specialist in luxury safari travel to africa. http://www.safari.co.uk |
