Cape Town and Surrounds

The most dramatic view of Table Mountain is that presented to travellers approaching Cape Town by sea, but also an unobstructed view can be obtained from the sandy shores of Bloubergstrand.To understand its true beauty, visit Table Mountain and experience the panoramic views and indigenous flora and fauna. Today many well known routes lead to its table top summit and for those not inclined to walk or climb, a cable-car offers an easy ascent.

Flanked by the Sentinel and Chapman's Peak is Hout Bay harbour where tranquil waters host a colourful fleet of fishing boats. Drive over Kloofnek and along the Atlantic coastile to Hout Bay and take a boat cruise to the bird sanctuarty of Duikers Island. While in Houtbay, you can also visit the World of Birds, the largest bird park in Africa.

Taking the Constantia Neck road will lead you through the Hout Bay valley and over the mounatin to
Groot Constantia which is the oldest wine estate in South Africa. Here you can indulge in wine tasting and also purchase bottles of wine to take with you.

Take a walk through the famous Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Once the property of the Kirsten family, the estate was unanimously approved as the site of the National Gardens in 1913, and today occupies some 485 hectares on the slopes of Table Mountain. This incomparably beautiful setting provides sanctuary for a great variety of the Cape's flora and contributes to the conservation of indigenous species.

The mother city of Cape Town offers a variety of exciting options. Visit Greenmarket Square with its colorful stalls packed with hand-made arts and crafts from all over Africa. When the weather is good and the sun is shining, you are sure to catch troops of traditional dancers swaying to the sounds of an Africa drumbeat.

Stroll up leafy Government Avenue, past the stately House of Parliament and the beautiful surrounding gardens. This area is also home to a number of museums, memorials and other historical sights. Be sure to visit the Castle of Good Hope and the District Six Museum, both located in the heart of the city.

The Bo-Kaap sits on the slopes of signal hill and is rich in traditon with its cobbled roads and many historic mosques and museums. While in this area, be sure to take a drive up signal hill for an unobstructed view of the sun setting over the Atlantic.

The 144km long marine drive skirting the Cap Peninsula leads to scores of unspolit beaches as it winds through residential suburbs. The Cape is famous for its sandy white beaches that align the Atlantic Coast. The beaches of Clifton, Camps Bay and Bakhoven are the best places to catch up on some reading while relaxing on the soft white sand and soaking up the mild summers. Beyond Camps Bay stretch the Twelve Apostles, this chain of mountain peaks extends southward towards Cape Point.

A joureny along Ou Kaapse Weg will take you to the quaint coastal towns of Noordhoek, Kommetjie and Scarborough. Cape Point Nature Reserve is also along this route and offers a array of indigenous flora and fawna as well as a good selection of wildlife and birdlife, including Wild buck, Ostrich and Baboons.
Continue along the coast to the naval town of Simon's Town with its unique architecture, where you can visit the penguin colony at Boulders beach. From here you can travel along the False Bay coast through the towns of Fish Hoek and Muizenburg on your way back to Cape Town.

If you have shopping in mind, why not spend the morning at the V&A Waterfront where you can shop till you drop. The V&A also has some interesting options such as the Imax theater,the Two Oceans Aquarium and many pubs and restaurants that cater to all tastes. Tours to the historic Robben Island depart daily from here daily.

Take a tour to Stellenbosch, a picturesque region thats boasts a multitude of wine estates where wine tasting, cellar tours and fine restaurants can be enjoyed. Over the scenic Helshoogte Pass is the small town of Franschhoek with its superb restaurants and famous vineyards. Here you can also visit the wine estates for a bit of wine tasting while you enjoy the unsurpassed views of the mountains and shady forests.