Everything is in one destination. Beaches, Table Mountain, cable car, hiking trails, penguins, forests, nature, beauty, waterfront shopping, wine, and luxury.
“South Africa gives me a perspective of what’s real and what’s not real. So I go back to South Africa to both lose myself and gain awareness of myself. Every time I go back, it doesn’t take long for me to get caught in a different thing. A very different sense of myself.”
Dave Matthews
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What is the Best time of the year to Visit Cape Town?
If you look at a map, you will see South Africa is on the base of the African continent, in the Southern hemisphere. The Mother City, as Cape Town is often referred to, is in the Western Cape, South Africa. Both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans splash together at Cape Point, which is only an hour’s drive from Cape Town.
During the winter months, it rains and the wind blows a great deal of the time. Not the best time? March to May, then September to November are spectacular months in this paradise. Also, you will not have the crowds which explode in the summer peak months. The flights are out of season so will be more cost-effective.
The average high temperature of 27°C (81°C), and temperatures are cooler overnight, with the average low temperature dropping to 14°C (57°F). Very comfortable for the tourist.
What are the people like in Cape Town?
It is a medley of cultural and ethnic diversity. The mixtures of ethnicities enrich your familiarity with the city. The majority of society is extremely friendly and helpful. Under the apartheid government which ended in 1994, there were laws to enforce racial segregation, so areas sprung up which were either just whites, blacks, coloreds, or Indians.
The predominant black tribe is the Xhosa, which is the second largest tribe in South Africa. I love listening to their “click’ as they communicate with each other.
The Cape Malay people enchant me with their accents, expressions, and cuisine. Cape Coloreds bring home the reality that you are in the Cape. Their sense of humor and sharp wits encourage you to talk to as many as you can. Every year in January, the Kaapse Klopse, or rather the Cape Town Minstrel Carnival explodes with song, color, and dance as the Cape Coloreds perform unique songs for the audience to experience.
The white population is a mix of different heritages, mainly Afrikaans speaking, and English.
What can I do in Cape Town on my First Day?
Where do I start? There is so much to see and do, that you will never be able to see it all! I suggest you take a few day tours out to these numerous sites to confront and encounter.
You just must go on a tour out to Boulder’s Beach and then through to Cape Point. This is a full day’s tour and I suggest you do it on your first day. You will pass through Simonstown, the home to the South African Navy’s Naval Base. I love this charming, picturesque town. Shopping too is such fun.
A shop called Craft Art Gallery & Emporium you need to explore. Very unique wares and are such a pleasure just to browse through. Every individual who steps into this shop will spend ages perusing slowly as Louise Patterson the owner, has an eye for inimitable, incomparable products that are made within South Africa. Her window displays are gorgeous and these alone will keep you delayed! What a pleasure to go into a shop like this. A perfect shop gallery!
Boulders Beach
The name Boulders Beach speaks for itself. There are huge granite boulders on either side of the inlets of the beach. The sand is white and soft, but most mind-blowing is the large colony of penguins.
The predominant inhabitant is the African Penguin, which is only found along the coastline of South Africa.
There are pathways where you can meander around viewing the penguins, or go onto the beach and walk alongside or swim with them. One is advised not to touch the penguins as they have sharp beaks and should they get frightened, they could hurt you.
You will also see dassies, their official name being Hyraxes. The first time I saw the dassies, I was amazed at how big they are: approximately 30 to 70 cm. They weigh about 2 to 5kg. I love their little short tails and stout, fat furry bodies. They are herbivorous and can live up to 10 years. You can hear them sing “songs” to each other to communicate. They are extremely sociable animals and snort, growl and squeal at each other.
At the entrance, there is a gorgeous penguin pacific curio shop where you can purchase memorabilia.
Down the one street where you enter there is a quaint little coffee shop that makes the most delicious cappuccinos or cups of tea and cake.
If you would like to eat at a restaurant, there are a couple of restaurants in Simonstown and closer to Boulders Beach there is the Seaforth restaurant.
Cape Point
Then on to Cape Point! Remember while you are driving, keep your eyes peeled toward the sea. You may see a school of dolphins or a Southern Right Whale or a Humpback Whale.
It will take a further 29 minutes to reach Cape Point National Park. What is so spectacular at this point? The walks are breathtaking! Mind-blowing hikes can be done around the park. Considering your age, I advise you to take the Flying Dutchman Funicular 600m to the very top to view the lighthouse.
When gazing down at the turquoise, wild waters you will encounter the most exquisite, breathtaking aura and miraculous sensation of pure joyfulness and elation. Before you are the true pleasure of ocean wilderness! I return many times and continue to have the same sensation.
The Olifantsbos trail, which doesn’t require too much exertion, will lead you down the beach, through the fynbos vegetation to where the shipwreck of the prominent SS Thomas T. Tucker lies. It was wrecked in 1942.
Two Oceans Restaurant has marvellous seafood cuisine, wine and stunning views, stretching across the ocean as far as the eye can see.
Pop into the curio shops. You will find stunning products that are created, designed and made by South Africans.
Watch out for those baboons! They love to “share” your snacks! The National Parks rangers are constantly chasing them away.
Grysbok, chacma baboons, leopard tortoises, porcupines, bontebok antelope, Cape Mountain zebra, eland (Africa’s largest antelope), ostrich, mongooses, chameleons, lizards, a variety of birds and snakes such as cape cobras, puff adders, boomslangs can all be found here. You will not find large herds, due to the type of vegetation, which are predominantly different species of fynbos.
Proteaceae, commonly known as the family of species of Protea, are scattered over the terrain and bloom magnificently in season, from April to August.
“The Cape Peninsula reaches out like an elongated claw at the bottom of the mighty beast that is Africa. Surrounded by great oceans, gale-force winds, ancient mountains and fire-dependent plants, could there be a place that is more brutally elemental than South Africa’s Cape Point?”
Matthew Sterne
Cape Point Ostrich Farm & Reptile Rehabilitation Centre
As you exit Cape Point National Park, and you turn left, on the right you will see Cape Point Ostrich Farm. Are you familiar with the ostrich? An ostrich is a bird that cannot fly. It has long legs and a long elongated neck. Males have bold black and white feathers used to attract the grey female. The female lays huge eggs which are the largest eggs of all the bird species. 15cm long and 13cm wide.
These strong unfertilized eggs are used by manufacturers in South Africa to decorate and decoupage. The most exquisite eggs are made by Gala Star CC. Have a look at their Decoupage Egg Facebook page to view some designs. Loved by buyers throughout the world! These deco eggs can also be purchased in the Leather Shop at the Cape Point Ostrich Farm and many other curio gift outlets in and around Cape Town.
Ways to return to Cape Town
On your journey back there are numerous different ways to travel. My most-loved return journey is through Scarborough, past Misty Cliffs. The view is exhilarating!
Another awe-inspiring way is over Chapman’s Peak, from Noordhoek through to Hout Bay. It is 7.2km over a mountain alongside the Atlantic Ocean. At the peak, you have to stop to take in the view. It is regarded as one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world!
Hout Bay is a fabulous seaside town next to the Atlantic Ocean. The harbor is very special to visit and so is the retail gift shop. Tourists can venture out onto the ocean with tour boats or go to the World of Birds. Galleries and restaurants are snuggled into the town with a wonderful ambiance. Many people who visit Hout Bay make it their prime objective to move there.
Enjoy your drive back to your lodgings. The view is spectacular!
Which days, your days, great choice!
“All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveller is unaware”. – Martin Buber
Table Mountain, is a natural world heritage site and a world wonder! It is a national park and draws tourists from throughout the world. The national park supports a high diversity of flora, much of which is endemic and rare. Smaller animals can be found on the sides of the mountain, such as small antelope species, klipspringer, caracal, rock Cape hyrax, and klipspringer.
You can reach the top of Table Mountain to captivate the glorious view, either by mountaineering to the top or going via the Table Mountain Cableway. Climbing the mountain is tough going and steep. It takes a fit individual approximately 1.5 to 2 hrs to get to the summit.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway is my preferred method. The times are from 8.30 am to 13.00. Depending of course on the weather. Wise to be there early. Tickets can be purchased online. This is a truly memorable destination for anyone visiting Cape Town.
V&A Waterfront, the correct name being Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, is situated on the Atlantic shore in the oldest working harbor in the Southern Hemisphere. Designed so that heritage and diversity have been the top priority. Young and old can explore where to dine, shop, play, experience, and work. The restaurants are obviously classy, friendly, luxurious, cheap, expensive, open-air, Italian, Chinese, and perfectly charming, where fish is the flavor of the day!
Whatever suits your taste buds, you will find it here! Shopping to delight all! Make sure you have numerous hours to meander through the Waterfront. Museums, art galleries, cinemas, or how about a ride on a cruise charter filled with luxuries and comforts? Or go up for a helicopter ride! You couldn’t find a better way to have a truly magnificent scenic view of Cape Town!
Robben Island is one of Cape Town’s top attractions. For centuries the whole island was used as a maximum security prison for political prisoners, including where the South African President Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. In 1997 the island was turned into a museum and in 1999 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit the prison on a Robben Island tour.
The ex-inmate will let you get an understanding of what life as a prisoner was like, as he was there. A ferry will take you to the island which is set off the shore of Cape Town. You will depart and return to the V&A Waterfront.
“Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world. Few gardens can match the sheer grandeur of the setting of Kirstenbosch, against the eastern slopes of Cape Town’s Table Mountain.”
A botanical garden that leaves you so exhilarated and euphoric with a feeling of intense wellness. The beauty is astounding! You will be able to observe small fauna and observe and inspect majestic flora in abundance. Forests that invite you to travel to different worlds. You can have lunch at Moyo restaurant or a cup of tea which is next to the spectacular gift shop. Go in search of the waterfall, and an absolute must is to experience the Boomslang which is a curved tree canopy walkway that actually winds its way through the arboretum at the summit of the trees. I actually feel breathless just talking about this wonderful experience!
Cape Wine Routes of the Western Cape and wine tasting tours. A Cape Wine tasting experience and the tour will expose you to the magnificent scenery and landscapes of the Cape. Go with a tour guide as they know the best wine farms for you to experience, plus their knowledge of wines, history, and understanding is far more than you can experience by yourself. Have a look at our suggested tour operators and wine tours that I can highly recommend.
Beaches you should visit
“A day at the beach is never lost time. When the warm grains of sand touch our hearts, we know we are in the right place.”
goodhousekeeping.com
Platboom (Flat tree) and Diaz Beach are two of the most unspoiled beaches based at Cape Point. When you stroll along the sand which stretches like a huge blanket of sand and dunes, you feel as if time is endless and you have encapsulated eternity. Swimming in these waters is not recommended as the water is freezing and there are no lifeguards.
Water’s Edge is a secret held by the locals. So private and picturesque, with the large round boulders making their own art impression alongside the ocean.
Sunset Beach on the ocean path at Blouberg Strand. The name Sunset depicts the stunning sunsets you can view in wonder as Table Mountain is your backdrop and the stretches of white sand lay the platform to the magnificent mountain over the ocean.
Olifantsbos Beach exposes the wild side of the coast. Fynbos frays the edges and the desolation exposes freedom within your soul!
Muizenberg Beach is well known for the many painted multicolored little houses that line up on the beach. A popular beach for both locals and tourists. Muizenberg town is also lovely to walk through or pop into one of the restaurants.
Clifton Beach and Camps Bay Beach are for tourists. The restaurants that lace themselves are perfect to sit at, enjoy fine cuisine, and gaze and the striking ocean.
There are many more superb beaches in and around Cape Town, You will need to come to see them all!
Where should I stay in Cape Town?
There are so many wonderful places to stay so I have dedicated a section to these remarkable, wonderful places. Please go and visit RECOMMENDATIONS. Under RECOMMENDATIONS there will be a section on Hotels. These places come highly recommended, especially for us wiser individuals.
“When time and space and change converge, we find a place. We arrive in Place when we resolve things. Place is peace of mind and understanding. Place is knowledge of self. Place is a resolution”.
Abdullah Ibrahim