Cape Town is one of the world's most beautiful cities and a top international destination. Large numbers of tourists flock to Cape Town to enjoy this unique city with its fascinating history, interesting culture, natural beauty, award winning wines and laidback lifestyle. Whether you are a serious tourist or just want to lie on the beach and enjoy life, Cape Town will satisfy your needs.
De Kelders is a small town in Walker Bay, about two hours drive from Cape Town. Protected coves and inlets provide the ideal conditions for Southern Right Whales to mate and give birth, and, every year between July and November, these giant creatures can be spotted in the waters. A collection of caves offer much to explore; at Klipgat, some of the oldest human remains and stone artefacts have been found; while Drup Kelders presents a freshwater pool cave perfect for swimming and decorated by striking stalagmites and stalactites. The tranquil cove at Standford’s Bay is another perfect place to swim, surrounded by 150-year-old fig trees. Visitors can also enjoy hiking, angling, quad biking, and horse riding in the area, and the exquisite natural beauty of the Walker Bay Nature Reserve. Make sure to visit one of the local restaurants, too, which serve up wonderful fresh seafood.
Set along the famously beautiful Garden Route, Dehoop Nature Reserve is known for its spectacular natural scenery, excellent hiking trails and abundant wildlife. This magnificent reserve stretches over 34000 hectares and is decorated by awe-inspiring, brightly-coloured indigenous fynbos. The area is home to a variety of mammals including bontebok, eland, Cape mountain zebra, and baboon, and also encompasses a marine section that extends for five kilometres into the ocean, allowing for wonderful snorkelling opportunities among pristine turquoise pools and shallows. The birdlife in this area is also prolific. Enjoy a fantastic selection of activities including the popular 5-day Whale Trail (known as one of the best hikes in South Africa), exploring the environment-sensitive Elim Wine Route, and taking adrenaline-pumping eco-quad bike tours.
At Sanbona Wildlife Reserve, open plains, sculpted ridges, and deep gorges stretch beneath the Warmwaterberg Mountains across the semi-arid Little Karoo. The reserve spreads across 62,000 hectares along scenic Route 62, just three hours from Cape Town. Once farmland, the area has been restored into a sanctuary where the Big 5 share space with species such as gemsbok, hartebeest, eland, kudu, zebra, springbok, jackals, and the rare riverine rabbit. Succulent Karoo, renosterveld, and mountain fynbos cover much of the terrain, supporting over 600 species of flora. Visitors explore the reserve on guided drives, bush walks, and tours of San rock art, some over 3,500 years old. Stargazing and nature photography are also recommended, while birders can look out for species such as jackal buzzards, Namaqua sandgrouse, and chestnut-vented tit-babblers, among many others, as the reserve is home to over 200 bird species.
Resting at the feet of the Boland Mountains in South Africa’s Western Cape Province, the Cape Winelands area is renowned for producing some of the world’s finest wines. The enthralling mountainous landscape boasts an impressive list of luxury wine farms, stretching across lush fertile valleys. Visitors can look forward to a variety of wonderful activities suited to all types of travellers. Explore a collection of historic little hamlets and towns dotting the countryside, sample a wide selection of world-class wine at historic Cape Dutch farmsteads and other wine estates; and make your way through a sublime network of hiking and biking trails. The culinary scene here is world-class and constantly improving; visitors who don’t drink alcohol will also enjoy discovering this destination as part of a ‘food tour’ - numerous superb restaurants are on offer.
The Cederberg is a region of wild, dramatic valleys situated just 2.5 hours' drive from Cape Town, between Citrusdal and Clanwilliam. Lined with citrus orchards and surrounded by magnificent mountains, the jaw-dropping scenes here become even more spectacular at sunset when they are bathed in an array of vivid colours, and in springtime when flowers completely take over (this is the heart of the biodiverse Cape Floral Kingdom). Travellers can also swim in turquoise rock pools, visit intriguing ancient rock art sites, take advantage of superb beaches with excellent surfing conditions, or learn about the clear night skies at the Cederberg Astronomical Observatory. Some other activity options include hiking, bouldering, tubing, sundowner cruises, and rock climbing - as well as dining at top-notch wineries and restaurants.
Located 15 km north-west of Vredenburg and 145 km north of Cape Town, this charming fishing village is a great place for a seaside escape, with its historical buildings, warm hospitality, long beach and beautiful views. It also has several quaint restaurants serving sublimely fresh and tasty seafood and one or two bars where you can enjoy a few drinks and get acquainted with the locals. Dolphins and whales can be spotted off the coast for ten months of the year and the striking Cape Columbine Nature Reserve, located just three kilomteres away, is a beautiful spot to explore, with its boulder-framed bay dotted with camping spots and barbeque facilities.
