Cape Town is the capital of the Western Cape Province. It is a city with two faces, European and African, a blend of first and third world. Despite these vast differences Cape Town is a relaxed city. It has a number of very interesting museums including the South African National Museum, with a planetarium, the Bo-Kaap Museum and the National Gallery. In the city centre is the Castle of Good Hope. This fort was built in 1666 by Van Riebeeck and still serves as the headquarters of the Western Cape Military.
Table Mountain is situated on the southern side of Cape Town and is famous for its table shape. The mountain provides stunning views over the entire city and is easily accessible via the rotating cable car. The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is a working harbour and shopping/entertainment centre where you can shop, eat out, watch a movie or stroll around the interesting shops and craft markets from early morning until late in the evening. Situated near the centre of the Waterfront is the Two Oceans Aquarium, with more than 300 species of marine life.
The biggest attraction of the Waterfront is the Robben Island museum and tours to Robben Island. Ferries depart at 9am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm (weather permitting) from the Waterfront to Robben Island. The tour lasts 3½ hours and includes a bus tour of the island as well as a tour with an ex-political prisoner and a visit to Nelson Mandela’s cell. It is advisable to book your tour in advance. A visit to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens should also be on your agenda. It is one of the world’s greatest botanical gardens and is also a starting point for a number of walks on Table Mountain. Rhodes Memorial on the way to the gardens is an excellent point for a coffee break and to take in the views of the city and surrounds.
Situated just 140 kilometres from Cape Town and built between the beautiful shores of Walker Bay, Hermanus has grown from a small seaside resort town to become arguably the best-known place for whale watching in the world. This town is also famed for its natural scenic beauty, featuring long stretches of pristine beaches. An excellent variety of restaurants, cafes and bars are also on offer. Today, Hermanus is more than just a popular holiday destination and offers visitors all kinds of activities, both energetic and relaxing. Visitors can explore the Old Harbour Museum, which is comprised of the charming fisherman’s village, the old harbour, and the Whale House Museum; hike through the nearby Fernkloof Nature Reserve, and sample an array of top-quality wine along the famous Hermanus Wine Route. Hermanus is very popular because of the annual whale visits off the coast of Hermanus. The best whale viewing points are Castle Rock, Kraal Rock and Sievers Point.
Sandwiched between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Knysna is a large town often referred to as the ‘Garden of Eden’, surrounded by stunning bays perfect for sailing, boating, and swimming; picturesque beaches and lagoons; and world-renowned forests. This well-catered town is also a perfect base for safari expeditions at nearby parks such as Knysna Elephant Park, and close-up animal experiences at centres such as Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Tenikwa Wildlife Awareness Centre, Birds of Eden, and Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary. From here, enjoy ample opportunities for surfing, swimming, yachting, jet-skiing, boating, fishing, and golfing. Visitors can also look forward to an array of wonderful markets, a picturesque waterfront filled with superb restaurants and shops, and several fantastic art galleries. Make sure to take a ferry trip to the famed Knysna Heads and sample the local oysters. Multiple family beaches can be found in Knysna, like Bollard Bay Beach (Leisure Isle) with shallow waters to enjoy swimming and Buffalo Bay, where you are might able to spot a whale directly from the beach! The most adventurous beach is situated on the Eastern Head: Coney Clean, which is ideal for snorkeling. Please be aware that it’s very dangerous to swim out into the channel between the Heads because of tidal currents.
Cape St Francis is a tranquil seaside town and a popular water sports destination, especially for surfing - now one the top in the country. The photogenic lighthouse at Seal Point overlooks a pristine beach, and hundreds of rock pools teeming with marine life. Spend an afternoon among the glory of the numerous plants and flowers at the gorgeous Irma Booysen Floral Reserve, or enjoy the town’s fantastic selection of restaurants, bars, and cafes, which offer some stunning views. Several vibrant regular and annual events add appeal - among the top choices are the annual Calamari Festival and the monthly St Francis Market.
As South Africa’s ‘wild’ province, the Eastern Cape features magnificent stretches of untouched beach, peaceful river estuaries, lush forests, breathtaking mountain vistas, and the arid Karoo Desert landscape. Nelson Mandela Bay (Port Elizabeth) serves as the province’s primary commercial and industrial centre as well as a gateway to the popular Garden Route where visitors can enjoy ancient forest walks, surfing in the world-renowned surf spot of Jeffrey's Bay, and even bungee jumping from the world's highest bridge bungy above the Bloukrans River. Beyond the Garden route lie some spectacular malaria-free wildlife reserves including the remarkable Addo Elephant National Park, now the only place in South Africa where you can see the Big Seven - elephant, lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, whale and shark. Further east, don’t miss the Wild Coast region which, as it is far less developed than the rest of South Africa, offers visitors a glimpse of rural African village life.
This beguiling Eastern Cape village is nestled at the base of the Compassberg, the region’s highest mountain, and is a lush, sleepy place where life has changed little over the last century. Nieu-Bethesda is best known for The Owlhouse, the intriguing former abode of artist Helen Martins, who created a series of cement and glass sculptures throughout her home and garden. Now functioning as a museum, this unforgettable house is at once mystical, beautiful and eerie, allowing a glimpse into the life and mind of the mysterious Martins.
Located along the well-known Route 62 in South Africa’s beautiful Klein Karoo, the charming town of Oudtshoorn is known as the ostrich capital of the world. It is surrounded by numerous ostrich farms and the golden arid landscape of the Karoo. Many of the ostrich farms welcome the visitor who wants to see and admire the birds. The beautiful old houses, known as 'ostrich palaces', were built during the feather boom of the late 19th century and often have a Victorian interior. Visitors can enjoy the locally produced wine and port; sample ostrich meat and biltong; learn about the ostrich feather boom at the C.P. Nel Museum; and visit the world-renowned Cango Caves, the largest cave system in Africa featuring ancient rock formations and sparkiling stalactites and stalagmites. Other popular activities include: mountain biking, paragliding, horse riding, and taking a day trip to the quaint town of Prince Albert over the scenic Swartberg Pass.
Idyllically situated in the Cape Winelands, this peaceful country retreat is one of the oldest towns in South Africa. The once sleepy little village was named Franschhoek, meaning 'French Corner' as it was founded by French Huguenots. Between 1688 and 1690 about 200 French Huguenots came from France to settle in and around Franschhoek. Despite the fact that only a few of them had any experience in making wine, they gave the wine industry a real boost. The fertile valley of Franschhoek boasts a rich heritage showcased at the fascinating Huguenot Memorial Museum and the Cape Dutch architecture in much of the village remains remarkably well preserved. The town’s proximity to Cape Town allows for pleasant day trips during which visitors can explore the area’s many world-class wine estates and impressive range of excellent restaurants or simply browse the quaint, upmarket boutiques strewn along the town’s lovely tree-lined avenues.
