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Cape Town Travel Guide
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| Cape Town
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Cape
Town is southern Africa's most beautiful, most romantic and
most visited city. Indeed, few urban centres anywhere can
match its setting along the mountainous Cape Peninsula spine,
which slides into the Atlantic Ocean. By far the most striking
– and famous – of its sights is Table Mountain,
frequently shrouded by clouds, and rearing up from the middle
of the city.
More than a scenic backdrop, Table Mountain is the solid core
of Cape Town, dividing the city into distinct zones with public
gardens, wilderness, forests, hiking routes, vineyards and
desirable residential areas trailing down its lower slopes.
Standing on the tabletop, you can look north for a giddy view
of the city centre, its docks lined with matchbox ships. Looking
west, beyond the mountainous Twelve Apostles, the drop is
sheer and your eye will sweep across Africa's priciest real
estate, clinging to the slopes along the chilly but spectacularly
beautiful Atlantic seaboard. Turning south, the mountainsides
are forested and several historic vineyards and the marvellous
Botanical Gardens creep up the lower slopes. Beyond the oak-lined
suburbs of Newlands and Constantia lies the warmer False Bay
seaboard, which curves around towards Cape Point. Finally,
relegated to the grim industrial east, are the coloured townships
and black ghettos, spluttering in winter under the smoky pall
of coal fires – your stark introduction to Cape Town
when driving in. |
| Cape Town
Travels & Tours |
Two Oceans Aquarium
This is the largest aquarium in South Africa, housing more
than 300 marine species in impressive and informative displays.
Watch seals playing underwater or the calm swaying of kelp
forests filled with fish. Shark feeding time is 3:30pm daily,
and the best day to go is on a Sunday when large ragged-toothed
sharks are fed. Certified divers can take a dip in the shark
tank or kelp bed. An onsite shop sells souvenirs, books,
and videos and the Bayfront Blue Restaurant serves excellent
food.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
This is the oldest part of Cape Town's harbor, dating back
to 1860. Although still a working harbor, it has transformed
into one of Cape Town's prime attractions. Restaurants,
bars and cafes abound, and if it's shopping you are after,
then its 240 stores of all descriptions are sure to please
you. There are 18 movie houses as well as an IMAX Cinema
with a five-story-high screen. The Two Oceans Aquarium is
South Africa's largest, housing 300 marine species. A boat
ride to Robben Island also departs from the V&A.
Table Mountain
This majestic sandstone mountain is undoubtedly Cape Town's
most well known and well loved landmark. Its flat "table
top" stretches for three kilometres and is flanked
by Devil's Peak on one side and Lion's Head on the other.
When a South Easterly wind blows the top is obscured by
a large white tablecloth of cloud that pours over the steep
northern face. The Table Mountain reserve is home to an
impressive diversity of indigenous flora, including many
endemic species.
The
mountain is a treat for hikers, climbers and amblers with
over 550 recognised paths. Be well prepared when setting
out on a hike since the mountain is known for her mood swings
and the weather can change dramatically in a short space
of time. For the less energetic there is a cable car which
does a single rotation on the five-minute ascent/descent
giving the passengers a panoramic view. At the top cable
station is a restaurant, a souvenir shop and viewing platforms
with fat, furry dassies (rock rabbits) lazing in the sun
on the surrounding rocks.
Castle of Good Hope
Guided tours of this National Monument take place at the
top of the hour daily. The pentagonal building was built
by Pieter Dombaer in the shape of a five-pointed star, following
a construction system based on French military engineer
Vauban. The five bastions carry the titles of the Prince
of Oranje: Leerdam; Oranje; Buren; Catzenellenbogen; and
Nassau. The bastions housed the military, provided storerooms,
prisoners' cells and torture chambers. Come and see the
formal changing of the guard at noon on weekdays.
Drakenstein Lion Park
This is your chance to see lions in their natural habitat
without getting too far into Africa. These big wild cats
have been provided with a high quality life in authentic
surroundings. The lion park is about 30 minutes drive from
Cape Town, and offers picturesque views of Stellenbosch,
Franschhoek and Paarl.
A
refreshment centre and curio shop give visitors a chance
to relax under a rustic thatch-roofed building with an open-air
viewing deck. For a more exciting experience, a 150-metre
catwalk extends right over the lion camps, offering a close
encounter with these magnificent beasts. |
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