Travel Guides
Western Cape
The Western Cape is the most southwestern province in South Africa, covering most of South Africa's tourist destinations and attractions.
Regions
* Cape Peninsula - on the Southwestern tip - one of the most beautiful places in the world
* Cape Winelands - east of Cape Town and easily visited in a day trip from Cape Town
* West Coast - less crowded with tourists this region offers beautiful scenery for the nature
lover
* The Overberg
* The Garden Route - lovely scenery and one of South Africa`s tourist hot-spots
* The Little Karoo - nowadays popular semi-desert region easily reached on the R62
* The Cape Karoo
* Cape Town - one of the world`s top destinations
* Stellenbosch - a university town in the winelands
* Paarl
* George - gateway to the Garden Route
The Cape Peninsula is in Western Cape of South Africa, encompassing the Cape Town metro area, Cape Point and the False Bay area.
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa (the Houses of Parliament are here). It is located in the south-west corner of the country near the Cape of Good Hope, and is the most southern city in Africa. It is a stone's throw from South Africa's world-famous Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
This is a World Cup 2010 host city with games to be played at the new African Renaissance Stadium.Cape Town is also known as the Mother City in South Africa.
Popular Areas
Camps Bay:Originally known as Kamps Baai it was once considered to become Cape Town's harbour. It has become a tourism hot spot because it offers a great combination of restaurants, bars, amenities, accommodation and a fantastic beach, all very close to each other.
Clifton:An exclusive residential area and is home to some of the most expensive real estate in South Africa, with dwellings nestled on cliffs that have sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean.The area has a set of 4 beaches which are frequently used destinations for both locals and tourists.
Climate
The summer is long and lasts from November right through to March or April. Days are usually very hot, but the humidity is low, so it is not uncomfortable. The winter months of June and July are a bit rainy, which does not mean rain every day. Often you will have one or two days of rain and a week of total sunshine.
To See:
Bo-Kaap This neighborhood, located on a hill south-west of downtown is the area historically inhabited by mainly Muslim descendants of slaves from South-East Asia (hence an older term for the area - 'Malay Quarter'. It's a common location for film shoots, as there are some very colourful buildings, quaint streets and mosques.
The Castle of Good Hope, Buitenkant Street, Popularly called 'The Castle' by locals, it has extensive displays of historical military paraphernalia, a history of the castle, an art collection and the William Fehr Collection (including old Cape Dutch furniture). You can eat inside the Castle at the restaurant or café, as well as buy wine. R20 entrance free.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Drive, Newlands,Open daily 8AM to 6PM (7PM September to March). View the hugely diverse and beautiful plants and flowers of the Cape flora in one of the most stunning botanical gardens in the world.
Robben Island is located just off the coast from Cape Town, this was the location used during the apartheid days to hold political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela and the late Walter Sisulu. Some of the tour guides were themselves political prisoners so they have plenty of insight about what went on there. Tours run several times per days, seven days a week from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront. R150.
South African Parliament,Cape Town is the legislative seat of South Africa (the Presidential seat is in Pretoria and the Supreme Court is at Bloemfontein). A tour of this compound will acquaint you with South Africa's recent history and its political system.Free entrance and tours.
Two Oceans Aquarium, V&A Waterfront,Open 9:30AM to 6PM. An excellent modern aquarium. R70 entrance fee.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, A huge shopping and entertainment area at the slopes of Table Mountain, next to the harbour. High density of shops, restaurants and amusement possibilities, like the Aquarium or the Marine Museum. Harbour tours and trips to Robben Island start from here, as well as helicopter flights to the Cape Peninsula.
Museums and Galleries
Bo-Kaap Museum, 71 Wale Street, Bo-Kaap,Open 9:30AM to 4:30PM Monday to Saturday. R5 entrance fee.
District Six Museum, 25A Buitenkant Str The museum provides information about the area, the eviction, the Group Areas Act, and the people who used to live there. The director of the museum is a former resident. There is a small bookstore with an excellent selection of books on South Africa's history, District Six and apartheid. Admission is free.
Slave Lodge, cnr Adderley and Wale Streets Open 8:30AM to 4:30PM Monday to Friday and 9AM to 1PM on Sunday. One of the oldest building in Cape Town R7 entrance fee.
South African Jewish Museum, 88 Hatfield Street,Open Sunday-Thursday 10AM to 5PM and Friday 10AM to 2PM. Closed Saturday. The Museum is interactive and hi-tech, using different media to present highlights of South African history, and examining the Jewish community's story of individual and organisational roles and contributions. R35 adults, R15 students.
South African Maritime Museum, Union Castle Building, V&A Waterfront
South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Gardens,10AM to 5PM Tuesday to Sunday. Located in the Gardens area of Cape Town off Government Ave (about a 20 minute walk from downtown). Contains extensive displays of South African art, as well as information on the history of censorship of art during apartheid R10 entrance fee.
Performing arts
Artscape Theatre, D F Malan Street, Foreshore, Cape Town,
Armchair Theatre, 135 Lower Main Road, Observatory,
Baxter Theatre, Baxter Theatre Centre, Main Road, RondeboschTheatre performances, comedy, jazz and others
Labia Screen, 68 Orange Street, Gardens, Has an African Screen showing African-made and African-oriented films all year round.
On Broadway, 88 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town
Townships tours
Touring a township may seem strange, even inappropriate, but it is a good way to learn about South Africa's history, and the poverty that many people continue to live in. Tours can be booked through us!
Wildlife
There are a number of small nature reserves in and around Cape Town
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and Nature Reserve The 3000 hectare buffer zone around the power station has been converted to a nature reserve with Bontebok, Genet, Steenbok and many other antilope.
Table Mountain National Park,Table Mountain National Park forms part of the Cape Floristic Region UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers a large area of the Cape and incorporates a number of park areas. Most of it is free access; the only places you need to pay are at the Cape of Good Hope, Silvermine and Boulders
Shopping Malls
As in any large city you will find a number of major shopping malls:
Bayside Centre, cnr Blaauwberg Road and Otto Du Plessis Drive, Tableview, Shops are open 9AM to 7PM Monday to Friday, 10AM to 5PM on Saturday and 10AM to 2PM on Sunday.
Canal Walk, Century Boulevard, Century City
Cavendish Square, Vineyard Road, Claremont,Shops are open 9AM to 7PM Monday to Saturday and 10AM to 5PM on Sunday.
Constantia Village, cnr Constantia Main and Spaanschemacht, Constantia
Tyger Valley, Cnr. Bill Bezuidenhout and Willie van Schoor Avenues, Bellville, shops are open 9AM to 7PM Monday to Saturday and 9AM to 5PM on Sunday.
To Eat:
Food in Cape Town is generally of high quality. The wines are much celebrated, but the surrounding region is also a major fruit producer, and the Karoo lamb is widely regarded. Seafood caught locally is superlative
Five Flies, 14-16 Keerom Street Enjoy a wonderful, multi-course meal in a stylish restaurant housed in one of Cape Town's oldest still-standing buildings. Favorite of local diplomats. Menu changes regularly; book reservations online
95 Keerom, 95 Keerom Street. A top class Italian restaurant with modern decor and a trendy atmosphere. Attached to the nightclub Rhodes House.
Safety
Although Cape Town has its share of violent crime, you are safe if you keep your wits about you.Simply leave everything you value - especially your papers and tickets - in your room safe if you plan to stroll through Cape Town. At night, make sure you stay on well-lit and crowded streets.
The Cape Winelands are a region in the south of South Africa. The winelands boasts some of the most majestic scenery in South Africa. It is situated to the north-east of Cape Town and offers a beautiful landscape of wine hills and mountains.
Stellenbosch
Stellenbosch (pop. about 100.000) is a city in the Western Cape of South Africa and is the heart of the Cape Winelands, South Africa's prime wine region. Stellenbosch (founded in 1679) is about 50km east of Cape Town and is the second oldest town in South Africa. It was named (like Simon's Town) after the former Governer Simon van der Stel. The city is situated on the banks of the Eerste River ('First River').
It's home to one of the country's most established universities with over 25000 students and offers some fine examples of Cape-Dutch architecture. It is also known as 'Eikestad' (Oak city) because of its oak tree lined streets. Wines from Stellenbosch are known internationally and rank among the best in the world.
To Eat:
There are many good restaurants in the town. The area around Church Street is informally known as the local restaurant district, with approximately 19 venues within a four block radius.
Basic Bistro, 31 Church Street, Offers a variety of international cuisine. Reviewed by Rossouw's Restaurants - 7/10 food, 8/10 service
Cognito, Dorp Street.
Lafayette, Andringa Street.
Paarl
Paarl is the third-oldest town in South Africa and located approximately 60km to the north-west of Cape Town. It is famous for having one of the world's largest rock outcrops.It is about 60km from Cape Town. The easiest way to get there from Cape Town is by car is to follow the N1 North, however one can also get there by train or bus.Paarl is located in the center of the Cape Winelands, within proximity of the major town of Stellenbosch.You can reach all main attractions within 30 to 45 minutes (except the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point).
To See
Afrikaans Language Museum, 11 Pastorie Ave,Monday to Friday 9AM to 5PM. R5 entrance fee.
Paarl Bird Sanctuary, Drommedaris Street,Home to Hartlaub's Gull, Greyheaded Gull, Cape Shoveller, African Black Duck, Cape Reed Warbler, African Rail, Little Bittern and other species
Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve, Jan Phillips Mountain Drive,During summer the park is open 7AM to 7PM, during winter 7AM to 6PM. Fynbos landscape and wild olives dominated by massive rounded granite rock formations.
To Do
Boland Kelder, Monday to Firday, 8Am to 5PM. Saturday from 8:30AM to 1PM. Cheese and wine tasting Under the Tree
KWV wine Emporium, Kohler street,Open for wine tasting Monday to Saturday from 9AM to 4:30PM. Cellar tours Monday to Saturday at 10AM, 10:15AM, 10:30AM and 2:15PM, the tour starting at 10:15AM is conducted in German. Home of some of the best wines and brandies produced in South Africa
Laborie Estate, Taillefret street Open from October to April every Monday to Sunday from 9AM to 5PM.
Nederburg, Sonstraal Road, Daljosafat, Monday to Friday 8:30AM to 5PM, Saturdays 10AM to 2PM.
Rhebokskloof, Paarl,Open 365 days a year, 9AM to 5PM.
Ruitersvlei, Suid-Agter Paarl Road,Monday to Friday 8:30AM to 5PM, Saturdays from 8:30AM to 3PM, Sundays from 11AM to 3PM.
Simonsvlei,Offers cellar tours, wine tasting and olive tasting
Adventure
Wineland Ballooning,Go on a Hot-Air balloon over the Berg River Valley
Hiking
Paarl Mountain Nature Reserve A number of trail run through the reserve, ranging from 2.4km to 10km.
Laborie Wine Hiking Trail,See the cape flora and birdlife on the Laborie Estate
Limietberg Trail,A two-day trail of 36km. Start at the foot of the Du Toitskloof, then to Bainskloof village and on to Tweede Tol.
To Eat:
Bosman's at the Grande Roche, Plantasie street, One of the top 10 Restaurants in South Africa according to Wine Magazine.Supurb winelist
Laborie Restaurant, Taillefer Street,9AM to 4PM daily. Cape Provencial Cuisine and traditional
The West Coast Region, located along the South-West Coast of South Africa, skirts the Atlantic ocean from Bloubergstrand in the Cape Metropolitan Area in the south, to the provincial border in Namaqualand in the north, all within the Western Cape. It is a remote strip of land and famous for its spectacular fields of flowers in the Spring, west coast hospitality, peace and tranquility.
Overberg is an area rich in biodiversity between Cape Town and the Garden Route
Gansbaai
Gansbaai (Goose Bay) is a town on Danger Point Peninsula in the Overberg, the most southern region of the African continent, 200 km from Cape Town in the Western Cape.
To See
Danger Point Lighthouse
To Do
Shark-diving boats and whale-watching boats leave from the small harbour of Kleinbaai, a coastal village on Danger-Point-Peninsula, to the best spots to see the whales or find the sharks or –onwards- to the Dyer-Island-Group, which rocks are covered with thousands of Cape fur seals and African penguins and numerous other birds.
Visit Flower Valley, a Unesco initiated empowerment farm and a pilot project of the Agulhas Biodiversity Initiative for sustainable harvesting of fynbos for the cut-flower industry.
The shores on the eastern side of Danger Point exist out of endless and undisturbed sand-beaches, inviting for long and refreshing walks.
Guided nature horse trails can be enjoyed along the coast of the Walker Bay and in the mountains behind Gansbaai.
The Garden Route in the Western Cape is one of South Africa's main tourist attractions and is generally thought to stretch from Mossel Bay to Port Elizabeth along the Indian ocean and also includes parts of the inland.
The central part of the Garden Route is formed by the coastline of the Indian ocean. To the north it is bordered by the Little Karoo, a semi-desert region.
George is situated in the Western Cape Province in South Africa and is the main gateway to the beautiful Garden Route. It is the sixth oldest town in South Africa and very centrally situated halfway between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth. Cradled by the Outeniqua mountains to the north and the Indian ocean to the south, George is an ideal town from which to explore the area’s many scenic attractions – be it on the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe train, on walks and hikes on the George and Cradock Peaks, on a boat fishing, or pushing a cart across the golf courses at Fancourt.
Rich in historical landmarks, such as the Slave Tree and the King Edward VII Library, George retains a small-town character without compromising on a sophisticated infrastructure.
To See:
George Museum or the crocodile farm, both in York Street.
The old "Moeder kerk" - the spectacular Dutch Reformed church in Mead street
Caledon street - the most beautiful street in George
Anglican Church in York street.
Arts theatre
George botanical Garden
To Do
Take a trip on the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe (the oldest steam train in Africa) to Mossel Bay or visit the Railway Museum.
Enjoy Nature and Historic Trail Rides with Environmentally Friendly Motorcycle and Quad Bikes
Experience the Historic Attakwas Ox wagon Pass Route (National Monument)
Ride on a Private Eco Game Reserve
Explore the beautiful Outeniqua Mountains (Nature Conservation Area) and ride where few are privileged to venture
Go hiking
Play golf, either at Fancourt or Ernie Els's new course Ou Baai
Swim, surf or tan at one of the sandy beaches during summer. Parking may be a problem at many of them during peak season.
Little Karoo
The Little Karoo (Klein Karoo) is in the Western Cape province of South Africa, between the Swartberge and the Garden Route.
Oudtshoorn
Oudtshoorn is situated in the Western Cape in South Africa and world-known for its ostrich farms and the nearby Cango Caves.
To Do
Cango Caves
Quad Adventure Tour Options
Barons Palace Gaming Centre
Highgate Ostrich Farm
Rock Climbing
To Eat
As this is the ostrich capital, this is the place to taste everything one can get out of this species. Most of the ostrich (show) farms offer a restaurant or braai facilities.
Important telephone numbers
From a fixed line
* 107 - Emergency
* 10111 - Police [117]
* 10177 - Ambulance
* 082911 - Netcare911 and The National Sea Rescue Institute
From a mobile phone
* 112 - Emergency
* 911 - Netcare911 and The National Sea Rescue Institute
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