Why You Should Visit Cape Town

Cape Town City View □Cape Town Tourism

Going on an African Safari is something that many people dream of, and for good reason.  You have the opportunity to get up and personal with lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards and cape buffalo (otherwise known as “The Big Five”) in their natural habitats.  Who can resist that?

If you are going on a South African safari, then Cape Town is a great place to start your trip. Not only is it easier to get over your jet lag there, versus jumping right into early morning safari game drives, but it’s a beautiful city with lots to see and do.

 Table Mountain
This iconic mountain rises above the city of Cape Town.  It was named one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. You can enjoy it from a distance, as you can see it from just about anywhere in the city.  You can also go to the top, either by hiking up, which can take as little as just over an hour, or by taking the Table Mountain Cableway, which is a quick five-minute ride to the top.  Once there, you can hike, grab lunch, or just enjoy the amazing views.

View of Table Mountain □Craig Howes | Cape Town Tourism

Cape Point
The first thing that comes to mind when people think of Cape Point is the views, and for good reason.  Besides these stunning views, you can visit the two Cape Point Lighthouses, take a ride up the mountainside on the Flying Dutchman Funicular, and do a little shopping.  When you are finished will all of that, take some time to refresh yourself with an excellent meal at one of the many restaurants with a view.

The views at Cape Point □Cape Town Tourism

Animals
Animal sightings aren’t exclusive to your safari.  A short drive from Cape Town is Boulders Beach, a beautiful beach area in a protected cove.  On top of having soft sand and warm water, Boulders Beach has one of the best places to spot African Penguins.  These cute animals are endangered - there were only two breeding pairs left in 1982! Thanks to conservation efforts, there are now over 3,000 penguins in the Boulder Beach colony.

If you prefer a bit more adrenaline with your animal viewings, plan to go shark cage diving.  The ocean around Cape Town has the greatest population of great white sharks. There’s a reason they call it Shark Alley!

Penguins on Boulders Beach □ Craig Howes / Cape Town Tourism

Wine
South African wine may not be as famous as Italian or French but Cape Town has been producing great wine since the mid-1600’s.  One of the oldest vineyards you can visit is Groot Constantia, After your tasting and tour, enjoy a meal in one of their two excellent restaurants.

​Another easy and safe option to visit some of the South African vineyards is to take the Franschhoek Wine Tram.  This is a hop on, hop off tram tour of the Franschhoek Wine Valley.  There are three different routes, each visiting eight different wineries.

The beautiful green vineyards at Groot Constantia □Groot Constantia

Food
Cape Town has many amazing restaurants so you have lots of options for what you want to eat.  Some of your choices include fish and chips from Salty Sea Dog, South African bbq known as Braai, a pre-packed picnic to enjoy eating outside, high tea at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, or one of the many restaurants at the V&A Waterfront.​

Durbanville Picnic Day □Craig Howes

Interested in planning a trip to Cape Town?  I'd love to help.  You can schedule time with me here to get started.  Or consider joining me in November 2019.  I'll be taking a small group to South Africa for a safari with some time in Cape Town included.  You can check out those details here.