Cape Town is a great base from which to explore the
stunning surrounds in the rest of the province. Whether you want to go on
safari, visit the Cape Winelands, or just take in the amazing scenery the
Western Cape has to offer, there’s plenty to see and experience no matter your
interests. Here are our five favourite day trips from Cape Town.
WEST COAST
The West Coast is made up of expansive beaches,
fields of wildflowers, tiny fishing villages, and quaint historic towns. There
is plenty to see and do, from the incredible fields of
wildflowers along the Wildflower Route between August and October to a
totally unplugged camping weekend in the mountainous region of the Cederberg.
Darling offers craft beers and gourmet lunch food at the local Darling Brewery,
while Atlantis is where you’ll find enormous dunes to sandboard down.
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| Club Mykonos West Coast South Africa |
Visit
fishing towns like Paternoster or Saldanha Bay for a relaxing beach-side day
trip, or tackle the many mountain biking trails that criss-cross the West
Coast National Park. Stop over at Club Mykonos, where you can go jet-skiing or
sailing, visit the restaurants and spa, and send the kids to enjoy a huge and
colourful play area.
Distance: 1-6 hours,
depending where you go
Highlights: A real
road-trip feel, wildflowers in spring, quiet beaches, family-friendly fun,
local beer and wine
THE KAROO
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| Swartberg Pass South Africa |
The Karoo starts just an hour away from Cape Town
and sprawls across the southern half of the country, so there are many options
for great day trips in the area. It’s a semi-arid region, in stark contrast to
the mountains and forests of the Cape. Here you’ll find quirky little
towns connected by long, straight roads that stretch to the horizon over
scrubland. Sheep graze on the stubs of grass and small koppies (hills) rise now
and then from the landscape. There’s the iconic Ronnies Sex Shop—the
self-proclaimed “oddest pub in Africa” that was formerly just “Ronnie’s Shop”
before it hilariously gained its fame after someone graffitied the
adjective onto the signboard. Prince Albert is a an artsy and historic little
town tucked behind the majestic Swartberg pass, which makes a perfect escape
from the city.
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| Aquila Game Reserve South Africa |
A highlight of the Karoo area is Aquila Private
Game Reserve. It’s the only place near Cape Town where you can go on safari and
see the Big Five. Go on a half-day or full-day safari and come face-to-face
with lions and leopards, or the enormous, majestic African elephants. A
full day tour includes a buffet breakfast and lunch, and a stop at one of the
breathtaking swimming pools to take a dip and cool off in the wilderness.
Distance: 1-6 hours,
depending where you go
Highlights: See the big
five, explore historic towns, get in touch with the real, rugged side of
South Africa
.
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| Floral beauty Cape Point Cape Town |
CAPE POINT
Cape Point has got to be one of the world’s most
beautiful promontories, with its cliffs rising high above the waves that crash
at its base. The scenery from here is truly magical, with endless views of the
ocean. Seabirds nest in the cliffs high above turquoise waters, and tiny hidden
beaches are tucked into private alcoves. You’ll spot the famous dassies (rock
hyrax), along with other small animals, and can take the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the top
lighthouse for panoramic views that look like something from a postcard.
The Two Oceans Restaurant serves great food
overlooking False Bay, and the Parks Shop sells unique locally-made
fynbos body products.
On the way, you’ll travel along the False Bay
Coast, a stretch of beach-side suburbs like Kalk Bay, where you’ll find innumerable
bars and restaurants as well as little antique shops and art galleries. You’ll
also pass Simon’s Town, where you can get up close to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach and
take a dip with the creatures. All of these neighbourhoods make perfect day
trips from Cape Town.
Distance: 1 hour from
Cape Town
Highlights: See the
penguins, stunning scenery, restaurants, beaches
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| Cape Point Nature Reserve Cape Town South Africa |
THE WINELANDS
Distance: 1 hour from
Cape Town
Highlights: Wine, wine,
wine!
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| Lourensford Wine Estate Cape Town South Africa |
THE WHALE ROUTE
The Whale Route takes in some spectacular scenery
and some really nice little towns, perfect for day trips. Of course, it’s best
to go during whale season, between June and November. Hermanus is the go-to
place to see whales, and they host an annual Whale Festival in peak season. The
town has gorgeous beaches and many simple but tasty seafood restaurants.
There’s a rich history showcased in lovely museums, along with nature reserves
with spectacular walking trails overlooking the sea.
On the way there, stop over at the southernmost
point of Africa, Cape Agulhas, where there are beautiful coastal rockpools and
a brilliant sea view.
Distance: 2 hours from
Cape Town
Highlights: The
southernmost tip of Africa, whale watching, seafood
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| Hermanus South Africa |
For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
