The Western Cape South African Experience

Cape Town offers a broad range of domestic and international goods including gold, diamonds, gemstones, leather goods, African antiques, art, antiques, ceramics, fashion goods, world-famous Cape brandy and wine. The V&A Waterfront has a number of shops open 7 days with late trading hours and at Greenmarket Square you can shop for nearly anything in a typical flea market environment. Eat excellent seafood along the coast including “snoek”, oysters, crayfish, lobster, squid and mussels; also try the Karoo lamb and Cape Malay dishes.

Table Mountain

Cape Town’s world-famous landmark peak is 1,086m above sea level and was declared a national monument in 1957. Weather permitting; visitors can reach the top by rotating the cable car, which allows 380-degree panoramic views of this lovely part of the world. Hiking trails of varying degrees can be taken, but an experienced guide is highly recommended. Don’t miss Lion’s Head and Signal Hill.

Robben Island

One of South Africa’s most significant historical sites, Robben Island rose to prominence as a jail for those deemed a danger to the apartheid authorities including, for more than twenty years, former South African president, Nelson Mandela, the island’s most infamous former prisoner. . Island tours and visits to the Island Museum can be arranged depending on the weather.

Cape Town

One of the top city destinations in the world, Cape Town has the history, ambiance, natural beauty, modern facilities and charms to keep visitors enthralled. The main tourist attraction is undoubtedly the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront with its world-class Aquarium of the Two Seas, museums, restaurants, boat trips, shopping, hotels and entertainment offering a broad range of activities. Don’t miss the beaches eg Clifton and Camps Bay, the Castle of Good Hope, Ratanga Junction, the city streets where you’ll find many historical buildings, museums and art collections, in addition to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden on the outskirts.

Central & Klein Karoo

Klein Karoo is nestled between the Outeniqua, Langeberg and Swartberg mountains, it’s an area of ​​contrasting landscapes, lovely sunsets and ostrich-producing Oudtshoorn. The Central Karoo is drier and more expansive, is the country’s main sheep-raising region, world-renowned for its fossils and its capital Beaufort-West is the birthplace of cardiac surgeon Dr. Christian Barnard. Don’t miss eating Karoo Lamb at among the best restaurants.

west coast

The West Coast is popular with photographers, artists, adventurers and bird watchers for its waveless beaches, astonishing mountains, spectacular spring wildflowers, San rock art and an area that captivates many birds. Many picturesque little villages dot the shoreline, but do not miss Darling for the flowers, Langebaan, Saldanha Bay, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and surrounds, Vanrhynsdorp for rock art and the Bay of Elands for surfing.

Cape Peninsula

The Cape Peninsula stretches from downtown Cape Town to Cape Point, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. Along this coast you will find the Western Cape’s famous beaches such as Camps Bay and Clifton and the nudist beach Sandy Bay. Visit the charming fishing village of Hout Bay with Mariner’s Wharf and Simon’s Town, famous for its Boulders beach and seal colony. Activities include bathing, diving, fishing and hiking, visiting museums, forts, art trails, shopping and enjoying the best seafood has to offer. Chiseled into solid rock, Chapman’s Peak Drive is among the world’s most spectacular mountain drives, starting at Hout Bay and ending in Noordhoek allowing you to enjoy panoramic views at several lookout points.

Land of Wine

Home to many of the country’s award-winning wines, the region features vineyards and orchards in lovely green valleys surrounded by mountains and dotted with historic towns and villages. Must-see towns include Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, world famous for their whites, reds, sherry, port and brandy. The wine route and brandy route can be explored including tastings along the way.

Breede River Valley

This is the biggest fruit and wine growing valley in the Western Cape and is the country’s leading racehorse breeding area. The area stretches from Gouda in the west, McGregor in the south, Montagu in the east to the Tankwa-Karoo National Park in the north. This is an area of ​​incredible scenery, panoramic views and soaring cliffs, crystal clear rivers, abundant trees and native flora such as fynbos and proteases.

Garden Route

The Garden Route, with its spectacular scenic beauty, runs parallel to the Cape’s shoreline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber rivers, golden beaches and towns along the way. Winding paths are followed by hikers, forests invite long, leisurely walks, and lakes and rivers are perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. Must-see towns along the way include the Garden Route gateway, George, Wilderness, Sedge field, Knysna with its famous Heads and oysters, and Plettenberg Bay. This area is phenomenal for adventure seekers and nature lovers.

Overberg

Hermanus offers the best land-based whale views in the world with cliff trails that run from one side of town to the other and whale-watching hotlines. Walker Bay is a nursery for the magnificent Southern Right Whale and do not miss Bientang Cave where you can sample delicious seafood in the cave and see whales. Don’t miss the Harold Porter National Botanical Gardens with over 5 hectares of cultivated fynbos gardens and 195 hectares of natural fynbos; the lovely fishing village of Arniston, the southernmost tip of Africa – Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum, Caledon for the September Wildflower Show and hot mineral springs and the charming colonial town of Swellendam.