Resting at the confluence of the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, sandwiched between the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening sapphire waters of Table Bay, the exceptionally scenic city of Cape Town is in a class of its own. Some cities boast rich culture, vibrant nightlife, a cosmopolitan atmosphere and extraordinary architecture, while others boast breathtaking landscapes and extraordinary natural wonders. Cape Town is lucky enough to be blessed with all of these attractions and so much more. With its bustling harbour, world-class beaches, top-notch vineyards, and its mountainous surroundings brimming with diverse flora and fauna, Cape Town consistently captivates the hearts of all who visit.
Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, Stellenbosch is an enticing Western Cape destination with an exciting culinary scene, photogenic historic buildings, and a youthful atmosphere. The beautiful university town is surrounded by mountains, vineyards, and nature reserves (Jonkershoek and Simonsberg), making it a charming base for wine tours, day trips and outdoor adventure. The town centre is characterised by both a “holiday feeling” - sublime art galleries, award-winning restaurants and alluring boutiques fringe leafy cobbled streets - and a sense of aliveness as students bustle between faculties. Architecture enthusiasts will enjoy the numerous Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings, while music lovers can look forward to world-class classical music concerts at the grand Music Conservatory. Two dreamy botanical gardens (with gorgeous tea rooms under the trees) add to the unique character of this special town.
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 arid landscape of the Karoo. 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 glittering 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.
Serving as the gateway to the arid wilderness of the Great Karoo, the little South African heritage town of Prince Albert is surrounded by an oasis of magnificent mountains, fresh sparkling water, lush gardens, vineyards, and fruit orchards. This Karoo gem is home to beautifully preserved Cape Dutch and Victorian buildings. It is a popular place in which to relax in the sun and enjoy the peaceful serenity of the town or appreciate the spectacularly clear and star-filled night sky to the rare sound of silence. Visitors can discover ancient fossils, visit a working moonshine distillery at the Fransie Pienaar Museum, enjoy a historical walking tour through the town, and drive along the edge of the harrowing 19th-century Swartberg Pass for dramatic mountain views. Other popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and botanical excursions.
Sandwiched between the towering Outeniqua Mountains and the Indian Ocean, Knysna is known as the ‘Garden of Eden’. It is surrounded by world-renowned forests, lovely lagoons and pristine beaches. Visitors can look forward to an array of markets offering delicious food and organic locally-made goods, explore the town’s picturesque waterfront and quaint streets, adventure through the lush forest, skip over streams and catch a glimpse of the multicoloured Knysna Loerie, take a ferry trip to the famed Knysna Heads and sample the local oysters. Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of exciting activities including: surfing, swimming, yachting, jet skiing, boating, fishing, and golfing.
The indigenous fynbos of the Cape meets the cold seas at the southernmost tip of Africa along the incredibly scenic Cape South Coast. This region produces top-notch wine encompassing the wild Elgin Valley, beautiful Bot River, Elim, Hermanus and Napier wine regions. The coast is also a world-renowned whale watching mecca offering visitors excellent whale watching opportunities. Running from the quaint coastal hamlet of Rooi Els in the west to Quoin Point in the East, this spectacularly scenic stretch of South African coastline is flanked by majestic mountains and the crashing Atlantic Ocean. Be sure to visit the quaint fishing village of Arniston, the Victorian village of Stanford and Gansbaai has a little something for those looking for a thrilling adventure.
The Whale Coast is a rugged stretch of South African coastline, snaking along the Atlantic Ocean and encompassing the towns of Kleinmond, Hermanus, Stanford, and Gansbaai. The route is backed by fynbos-covered mountains and includes farms, rivers, caves, and valleys. Between June and October, and especially over August, September, and October, the humpback or southern right whales that come here to mate and give birth can be seen frolicking offshore. The Whale Festival, held annually in September in Hermanus, is a special event featuring live music, markets, and much more. Throughout the year, explore the historic villages, and enjoy bird watching, wine tasting, paragliding, fat bike rides, river rafting, game viewing, mountain biking, and golfing. Don’t miss a visit to the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary in Gansbaai.
Located in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, the Elgin Valley stretches between the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and the Groenland Winery. It is one of South Africa’s top apple producers. The undulating landscape is characterised by deep valleys, forests, mountain streams, lakes and rivers, and lush hills covered with vineyards and apple orchards. This outdoor adventure mecca offers visitors a wide selection of activities including: swimming, apple-picking, hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, river cruises, ziplining, bird watching and wine tasting. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample locally-made craft cider and visit the UNESCO protected Kogelberg Reserve.
As previously described
