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| Kirstenbosch Gardens Cape Town |
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| Helicopter Trips from the V&A Waterfront Cape Town |
One
of the best ways to see Cape Town and it’s stunning beaches, mountains and
suburbs is from the air. This will be, hands-down, a highlight of your holiday.
There are a few companies that offer heli-flips from their V&A Waterfront bases
– you are likely to come across their stands while perusing the quayside
shopping hub.
Prices
for helicopter flights are pretty similar at each company and they all offer
flights of varying time. The short flights (about 10 minutes) start at around
R1600 per person, while the long flights (about 40 minutes) can cost up to R15
000, depending on the company you choose. Each of the charters also offers
special flights to wineland destinations and Robben Island, too.
2.
Take a drive over Chapman’s Peak
If
you prefer to keep your feet planted on the ground, then this trip can offer
stunning views and an incredible driving experience. Chapman’s Peak Drive is
one of the most picturesque roads in the world – no exaggeration. It has been
used as a backdrop in many television adverts and movies. The road goes
from Hout Bay to Noordhoek and
winds along the steep cliffs of Chapman’s Peak above the Atlantic Ocean.
There
are numerous lay-bys from which you can stop and take photos of the incredible
views. Driving along this road at sunset will be a memory you will never
forget. Take R50 with you as you will need to pay at the toll gate – this money
is used to maintain the road and the steel catch fence that protects road users
from falling rocks.
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| Llandudno Cape Town |
On
your way to or from Chapman’s Peak, stop off at the tiny seaside suburb
of Llandudno. It’s
pretty well hidden from the road, but if you find the turning, you can wind
your way down to the Atlantic Ocean and discover one of Cape Town’s best
beaches. We love Llandudno because it is quieter than Camps Bay and
the Clifton beaches.
Llandudno
beach offers pristine sand and a secluded spot from which to soak up the sun.
The beach is also a surfer’s paradise – granite boulders on either side of the
450-metre beach funnel the waves into the bay. It’s also the perfect beach for
children as there are lifeguards on duty during peak season.
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| Camps Bay - View of mountains Cape Town |
4.
Hike a mountain
Capetonians
love a good hike and the options are almost limitless. The two most-obvious
mountains to climb are Table Mountain and Lion’s Head. If you’re looking for
something a little different, we’d recommend finding Elephant’s Eye Cave in the
hills above Tokai. Take a drive up Ou Kaapse Weg and turn-off at the top into
the Silvermine Nature Reserve. From there, you can park your car and walk to
this massive cave that overlooks Cape Town’s southern suburbs.
If
you are looking for something more challenging, try Devil’s Peak. This hike
will take a few hours, so leave early in the morning. The views from the top
are unrivalled – you will see a 360-degree panorama that includes Table
Mountain, Lion’s Head, the Cape Town city centre,
Table Bay, the southern suburbs and all the way back to Muizenberg. There
are hikes that are suited to people of all ages and abilities, so speak to us
about the best one for you.
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| Sea Point Promenade Cape Town |
5.
Take a bike ride along the Sea Point Promenade
This
is such a fun and relaxing way to spend a summer afternoon. Ride a bike from
one end of the Sea Point Promenade
to the other, and back again – a 6.6-kilometre round-trip. You can hire one of
the orange bikes from the food court next to the Sea Point swimming pool. These
are normal pedal bikes with one gear.
On
the other hand (and to make it even more exciting), you can hire an electric
bike from GOnow. These bikes have an electric motor, so if you
get tired of peddling, you can use the throttle to whisk you along at a
comfortable speed. These e-bikes allow you to travel further – as far as the
V&A Waterfront or, you can hire the bikes for a whole day and take a ride
along Chapman’s Peak.
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| Simonstown Cape Town |
6.
Boulders Beach and Cape Point
If
you have a whole day free, make a trip to the tip of the Cape Peninsula.
Drive through Simon’s Town and
take a break at Boulders Beach – home to Africa’s largest colony of wild
penguins. Boulders Beach is named after the massive granite boulders that
intersperse the sandy beach. It’s a bit like a maze walking through the
boulders and finding little penguins around every corner.
When
you’re ready to move-on, keep driving south towards the Cape of Good Hope Table
Mountain National Park entrance. From here, it’s another 20-minute drive to
Cape Point. You can park your car and make your way to the funicular – a green
tram that takes you up to the Cape of Good Hope lighthouse. The views from this
vantage point are really breath-taking. You can see along the jagged edge of
Cape Point, some 240-metres above the frothing sea below. Numerous ships have
been wrecked in this very sea over the past 400 years or so. Some of the
wreckages can still be pointed out on a clear day.
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| Kalk Bay Harbour Cape Town |
7.
Walk through Kalk Bay and stop for lunch
The
seaside suburb of Kalk Bay is a
must-see for any visitor. The narrow streets are lined with antique shops, art
galleries and cafés. They are always abuzz with live music, curious tourists
and jolly locals. Kalk Bay is a small gem that must be experienced, but parking
can be hard to find so be patient. Visitors can walk from one end of the suburb
to the other and see hundreds of different things along the way.
Stop
by any one of the amazing restaurants – The Brass Bell is a bit of an
institution here, so have an ice-cold drink and some battered hake and chips
while enjoying a pristine view of the sea. There is also an old railway
carriage that has been converted into a café, a quaint and cosy bookstore, as
well as the actual fishing harbour itself. Kalk Bay harbour is a thriving hub
of local fishermen and hungry seals. Take a walk along the harbour pier and get
a great view of Kalk Bay with the colourful fishing vessels in the foreground.
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| Seal Kalk Bay Cape Town |
8.
Seal snorkeling
Talking
of hungry seals, summer visitors should book themselves a seal snorkeling
experience. At the cost of around R950 per person, you can swim with wild Cape
Fur seals in their natural habitat. The boats set-off from Hout Bay. After a
quick safety briefing and a change into wetsuits, guests board a boat that then
takes them around The Sentinel peak, out of Hout Bay and to Duiker Island.
Don’t
be afraid of sharks either – the cold water and thick kelp forests around the
island keep sharks away. This is why it’s such a popular spot for the seals.
They can play and thrive around the island without worrying about their natural
predators. After the snorkeling experience, guests are offered hot chocolate
and biscuits on the boat ride back to Hout Bay. Seal snorkeling is a great way
to cool off and hang out with some furry critters during summer.
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| Kirstenbosch Cape Town |
9.
Spend a day at Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden is home to the most diverse array of flora in the
world. The garden is a world-class habitat and offers incredible picnic spots
for families on a sunny day. There is a coffee shop and restaurant, but
visitors are welcome to bring their own picnic blanket and snacks for a day in
the pristine environment. Every Sunday afternoon during the summer season,
there is an outdoor concert held at the music stage. This is a magical way to
spend an afternoon and evening – listening to some of the finest local music in
the open-air.
Kirstenbosch
is also home to some of the oldest plants in the world – cycads (Encephalartos species).
These palm-like plants are often called ‘living fossils’ because they have
remained remarkably unchanged from millions of years ago. Cycads have grown
since the Jurassic Era, some 150 to 200 million years ago. Visitors to
Kirstenbosch also need to take a walk along the Boomslang – a steel and wooden
walkway that weaves its way along the tree canopy. This structure was designed
to look like a snake and is remarkably well integrated into the treeline.
Entrance to the gardens will cost R75 for adults, R20 for children over six
years old and there is free entrance to kids under six years of age.
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| Lourensford Stellenbosch |
10.
Wine tasting at a farm in the area
You
cannot visit Cape Town without having a wine tasting experience at one of the
scores of wine farms in the area. Many visitors believe that you need to travel
out to the Cape Winelands to
find the wine farms, but there are numerous establishments right in the heart
of Cape Town itself. Some of the oldest Cape wineries are still going in Constantia.
Book
a lunch at any one of these venues and try some of Cape Town’s unique wines. We
can give you some helpful tips to select a wine farm, depending on your
preference for food, views and prices. Constantia is home to the most wine
farms in Cape Town, but more exist all around the region, including Noordhoek
and Hout Bay.
These
are just a few of the incredible experiences and destinations that visitors can
enjoy while on holiday in Cape Town. There is no doubt that while you are here,
you will hear of countess other activities to try. There is never a dull moment
in Cape Town – it is impossible to be bored here. So make the most of your trip
and immerse yourself in the culture, views and activities of the Western Cape.
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| Visit the Alpaca's |
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| Eagle Encounters at Spier Stellenbosch Text Courtesy of "Cape Town Villas"
For Accommodation Cape Town, South Africa
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