Discover it

The Western Cape offers a wide variety of adventure activities, just a few of these are listed below.  We include information on a variety of special interest tours and activities, follow the links below for information on the most popular ones:

	Boat Cruises		Golfing
	Whale Viewing		White Shark Diving
	Hunting Safari

Abseiling

Widely available throughout South Africa with Cape Town offering a 100m abseil on Table Mountain and an awesome hang from Chapman's Peak, South Africa's most famous and dramatic coastal drive.

Bungee Jumping

The Western Cape offers a 65m high jump and bridge swings at the Gouritz River bridge, the original African bungee site. The Eastern Cape offers the world's highest jump off the 216m high Bloukrans bridge - a must for all thrill seekers!

Climbing

There is a huge range of climbing opportunities in South Africa from scenic sport climbing to training and guided climbs. The Western Cape offers outstanding views, fantastic rock and routes to suit every standard. Table Mountain itself offers endless possibilities. There is also wonderful ancient rock art to be seen.

Scuba Diving

Coloured reefs and a coastline littered with shipwrecks make South Africa an interesting place to dive. The Western Cape offers some of the most accessible and varied diving in the country and diving with sharks is offered at the aquarium and at Gansbaai.

Fishing

Fly-fishing ( freshwater and seawater ) ..... rock and surf angling ..... spear fishing ..... bottom fishing and deep-sea fishing - South Africa offers it all from rainbow trout to big game fish! The Cape of Storms is notorious for yielding quality big game fish such as Marlin and Tuna, and the Cape also offers excellent trout and bass fishing around inland rivers and dams.

Hiking

A common pastime throughout South Africa and trails can be found almost everywhere you go including the Game Parks! There are unlimited possibilities ranging from gentle strolls alone to guided week-long hikes. The country's most famous route .... the Otter Trial is located in the Eastern Cape.

Mountain Biking

There are a variety of trails in South Africa with the Western Cape boasting leisurely trails through forests and winelands, as well as many popular mountainous climbs and descents.

Paragliding / Sky Diving

The Western Cape has an abundance of sites to suit both experience and weather conditions and the Garden Route offers one of the countries safest and most popular sites. Whether this is a first time alone, a tandem jump or an accelerated freefall, there are various schools throughout South Africa offering a full range of skydiving opportunities.

Surfing

South Africa is undoubtedly one of the major surfing countries in the world, with South Africans figuring prominently on the professional circuit and the country itself hosting a series of international competitions each year. There are many memorable surf spots throughout the country with the Eastern Cape being home to Jeffrey's Bay, one of the worlds' top spots. The Western Cape offers an abundance of varying waves suitable for those with experience and those without, with Cape Town and its surrounding area offering at least 50 spots. Surf safaris, board hire and tuition are all available.

Source: Adventure Travel

Cape Town, with it's scenic beauty is the ideal place to start an African journey. Described by Francis Drake as "A most stately thing and the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the globe". The Cape was also named "The Cape of Storms" by other voyagers, this difference in perception illustrates the huge variety of moods which influence this southern tip of Africa dominated by its famous flat topped mountain, which rises 1000m out of the ocean.

To experience the scenic splendour of the Cape Peninsula by road is a comfortable and rewarding day trip. We recommend heading south from the city along the M3 (Blue Route) highway through the beautiful Constantia valley and then continuing along the False Bay coastline.

False Bay

This scenic route meanders along the coast through the seaside villages of Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek and historic Simons Town. From Cape Point the road turns north and soon meets the Atlantic Coast ... Read More.

Travel through the villages of Scarborough and Kommetjie and stop off for lunch at one of the numerous restaurants in Noordhoek before heading off again along the breathtaking Chapman's Peak drive to Hout Bay. Crossing over a gap in the ever present mountains brings you to Llandudno, one of the most desirable (and expensive) residential areas in the city.

Atlantic Coast

The road continue northwards, hugging the sheer mountainside and passes through the exclusive Atlantic Coast suburbs of Camps Bay, Clifton and Bantry Bay before entering cosmopolitan Sea Point. This area is a 24 hour hive of activity with hundreds of shops, coffee shops and clubs. Next stop is the renowned V&A Waterfront and then back into the city ... Read More.

West Coast and Durbanville

There is much more to be seen though, to the north and west of the city is the rural beauty of the Durbanville winelands and the harsh but beautiful west coast. The west coast suburbs of Table View and Bloubergstrand are one of the fastest growing areas of the country, the coastal road leads through an area of modern, towering apartment blocks and wide beaches en-route to the distant towns of Langebaan and beyond ... Read More.

Source: www.discoverthecape.com

Climate:

As the country lies in the southern hemisphere, the seasons in South Africa are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. December and January are the main summer holiday months, and people flock to the beaches in droves. In May and June, Autumn brings warm days and cool nights. Autumn and Spring are the best seasons for hiking. From the beginning of July to the end of September, you can expect cold and rain in the Western Cape. Snow sometimes falls on the Cape mountains in winter.

Communication Services:

A direct dialing service connects all centres and the international telephone service links south Africa with countries around the world. Cellular phones can be hired on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Internet access is available in all but the most remote areas and broadband (ADSL) is available in the major urban areas.

Credit Cards:

Major international credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa and their affiliates are accepted in South Africa

Currency:

The currency unit is the Rand, denoted by the symbol R1. R1 = 100 cents. Foreign currency can be exchanged at commercial banks, American Express and Rennies Travel. Notes issued R200, R100, R50, R20, R10; coins R5, R2, R1, 50c 20c, 10c and 5c. Currency exchange rates are available at banks and published daily in the press.

Electricity:

220/230 volts AC at 50 cycles per second. Three pronged plugs are universal, so take an adapter. Most hotel rooms have 110-volt outlets for electric shavers and small appliances.

Health Hazards:

The western and eastern Cape are free of both Malaria and Bilharzia (present in streams, rivers, lakes and dams in some of the northern and eastern parts of the country) although for visitors planning to venture further north we recommend preventative medication which is obtainable at all South African pharmacies. It's important to consult a pharmacist for advice on the best drug or drug combination you should take.

Sun Protection:

The South African sun is strong with a high ultraviolet rating, so screening products with sun protection factors of 15 and over are recommended.

Visas:

Passport holders from more than 80 countries, including the USA, Canada, Japan and the European Union countries can visit South Africa without visas. For further information contact your local office of the diplomatic or consular representative of the South African Government. If you intend traveling to South Africa's neighbouring countries and back into South Africa you are advised to apply for multiple entry visas. Tourists must satisfy immigration officers that they have the means to support themselves during their stay, and that they are in possession of return or onward air tickets.

Read Further: Cape Town Tourist Information

Restaurants and Eating Out

Cape Town is a city where locals and visitors alike are passionate about food, and in few other parts of the country are there such a wide selection of restaurants. Culinary history here dates back more than 300 years, consider that Cape Town was specifically established to provide food for the ships of the Dutch East India company way back in the 17th century, that heritage is reflected in the city's cuisine. A number of restaurants operate out of historic town houses and 18th-century wine estates.

The city and its restaurants can be crowded in high season, so it's best to book in advance whenever possible. The dress code in Cape Town is generally casual, with the exception of the fancier restaurants in hotels where a jacket may be required.

Cape Town has a well established pub culture, based closely on the British style of public house. On any evening Capetonians can be found enjoying a pint after work at any one of the many pubs in and around city.

More Info:

Restaurants.co.za: www.restaurants.co.za
Eating Out: www.dining-out.co.za

Discover The Cape | Cape Town Holiday Accommodation