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.
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 kilometres away, is a beautiful spot to explore, with its boulder-framed bay dotted with camping spots and barbeque facilities. Spoil yourself and stroll along 8km’s of unspoiled white sandy beach. Feel, see and smell the ocean and quaint white cottages. Paternoster is a crayfish (lobster) paradise with local fishermen selling on the roadside during season. One of the most enjoyable local customs is a ‘Kreef Braai’ (which means Crayfish Barbeque) and entails lots of fine white wine, crayfish fresh from the sea and an open fire.
Located in the scenic Olifants River Valley, the town of Clanwilliam is the ‘Rooibos Capital of the World’. The town features an array of tea houses and historical buildings. It is conveniently situated next to a large dam perfect for swimming and fishing. The Clanwilliam Dam resort is a popular holiday resort for water-sport enthusiasts and angling and it is known as the best place in the Western Cape for water-skiing. Visitors can enjoy a tour at the Elandsberg Rooibos Estate to view the unique tea-making process, learn about the town’s history at the Old Gaol Museum, explore the ‘Rooibos Route’ and enjoy a cup of tea at one of its many stopovers namely, The Rooibos Teahouse. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore the spectacularly scenic surrounds including: the Cederberg Mountains, the West Coast and the annual wildflower splendour of Namaqualand.
Stretching for over 1000 kilometres along South Africa’s scenic West Coast, the Namaqualand is known for its stark, arid beauty. Once a year in early Spring, the Namaqualand landscape explodes into a kaleidoscope of colour. The dusty plains are transformed into a blanket of thousands of flowering wildflowers. International and local visitors flock here to see this seasonal natural splendour. Aside from the endless photogenic landscapes, visitors can look forward to viewing a wide variety of wildlife and exploring the quaint seaside towns dotting the coast as well as the various historic towns scattered in the hinterland.
