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.
Perfectly situated at the foot of the Langeberg Mountains, the quaint heritage town of Swellendam is South Africa’s third-oldest town. It is Idyllically positioned in the scenic Overberg area and serves as an excellent base to explore the magnificent surrounding landscape, including the Little Karoo in the hinterland. The streets are lined with beautifully restored Cape Dutch buildings dating back to 1745. Visitors can explore; Bontebok National Park, where one of the rarest species of antelope on earth can be found, The Bontebok. Additionally; the Dutch Reformed Church and Drostdy Museum complex, visit the surrounding nature reserves and enjoy the local farm stalls selling an array of locally produced jams, liqueurs and baked goods. Other popular activities include: hiking, kayaking, camping, game viewing, horse riding, and stargazing.
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.
Sandwiched between the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the glistening Indian Ocean, this lush 200-kilometre stretch of coastal plain between Mossel Bay and Storms River Mouth provides one of the world’s most spectacular drives. Visitors typically base themselves at the heart of the Garden Route - either in Knysna, complete with its scenic lagoon; or neighbouring Plettenberg Bay, famous for its excellent beaches - and then spend a few days exploring countless surrounding attractions. Whether you are seeking pristine, uncrowded white-sand beaches, world-class golf courses, ancient forests, top-notch surf spots, extraordinary nature reserves, excellent hiking opportunities or exhilarating outdoor adventures such as bungee jumping or ziplining, the Garden Route has it all.
Set along the spectacularly scenic Garden Route in South Africa, the coastal town of Plettenberg Bay is a popular holiday destination. The Portuguese explorers called it the 'Beautiful Bay', and it’s easy to see why – Plettenberg Bay is a picturesque, charming town with endless pristine beaches, tranquil lagoons, clean rivers, indigenous forests and a dramatic rocky peninsula. Playground to the wealthy, beach mansions overlook the Indian Ocean, often dotted with luxury yachts, while leisure time is given over to polo and golf, among other things. However, all kinds of visitors will feel at peace here as simply swimming in the warm water on a safe beach is a great way to experience the beauty of Plettenberg Bay.
There are a number of nature reserves in the area surrounding Plettenberg Bay. Canoe trips, mountain biking and horse riding are also possible in ‘Plett’ as the town is lovingly called. At the Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary visitors can see South Africa's only black panther as well as many species of endangered big cats.
Please be aware when traveling to Addo from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), take the N2 and then N10 through Paterson. Please avoid the R335 on the Southern side of Addo, for safety reasons. Please do not use Google Maps as it will direct you to the shortest and a very unsafe routing. If unsure of your routing, please contact the accommodation.
Addo is set in the enchanting Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, the Addo Elephant National Park is the country’s third largest national park and offers a truly unforgettable safari experience. This finely-tuned ecosystem provides a sanctuary to large numbers of elephant, lion, buffalo, black rhino, spotted hyena, leopard, antelope, zebra and over 400 bird species. This unique park is the world’s only park with the ‘Big 7’ - the Big 5 plus the southern right whale and great white shark off the coast of the Algoa Bay. Spend your days marvelling at the free-roaming wildlife, enjoy exhilarating 4x4 safari adventures, exciting horse riding excursions, and wonderful night drives where you are likely to spot some fascinating nocturnal wildlife. Famed for its large herds of elephant, Addo provides an ideal, tranquil retreat for those looking to escape the stresses of big city living.
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.
Set on the spectacular Garden Route of South Africa, along the Indian Ocean coastline, Wilderness is a gorgeous little town famous for its enthralling, jungly nature reserve and beautiful beach lagoon. The town is wedged between the Kaaimans River, Goukamma Nature Reserve, and the Outeniqua Mountains - providing a huge variety of landscapes to explore. The Wilderness National Park is a Ramsar site (wetlands of international importance), home to numerous exquisite birds and animals, including the legendary, brightly coloured Knysna Lourie, as well as some fascinating archaeological sites. Visitors can enjoy whale and dolphin spotting at Dolphin Point, and can look forward to plenty of opportunities for hiking, watersports, abseiling, kloofing, paragliding, hang-gliding, quad biking, canoeing, horse riding, and cycling. A collection of charming shops, restaurants, and art galleries complete the package.
