Personal Tour
Ratanga Lodge Guest House in Cape Town is the perfect place to base yourself while visiting the area's attractions
Table Mountain
Needs no introduction, pictured here with the famous 'Tablecloth'
The top of Table Mountain offers stunning views over South Africa, Table Bay, Robben Island and beyond, in all directions you witness a 'birds eye view' of the city.
The cable car station which takes you to the summit celebrated it's 80th Birthday in 2009, but dont worry, new cars were installed in 1997 and between them the cars have taken over 16 million visitors to the summit of Cape Town's most famous and prominent attraction. The latest models offer 360 degree views, completing one rotation every climb and descend.
Once on top there is plenty to do following paths to various look-outs, it is here you will enjoy the quietness of being 1086 metres high. There are telescopes to zoom in on the world below and a restaurant and bar to have a light meal or drink 'on top of the world'.
For the more adventurous you can climb to the top and abseil down! The Mountain was first climbed by Portuguese explorer Antonio de Saldanha in 1503. He named the peak Table Mountain and carved a cross in the rock of a nearby formation, traces of which can still be found on 'Lions Head' today.
The cable cars make their first climb at 08h00 in the summer months (16 September to 30 April) and at 08h30 in winter (1 May to 15 September). They depart every 10-15 minutes. Closing hours vary depending on the time of the year, but in peak season (16 December to 15 January) the last cable car climbs at 21h00 and descends at 22h00.
Cableway Prices are currently R145 return or R74 one way per adult, R76 return or R38 one way per child (under 18).
Discounts are available for South African students and senior citizens, as well as for families and Wild Card holders. Prices are subject to change without prior notice, so please check beforehand.
Official website - http://tablemountain.net/
Simon's Town
Simon's Town is known as Cape Town's little secret.
Here you can visit the Penguins. In 1983 a pair of African penguins were spotted on Foxy Beach at Boulders and in 1985 they began to lay. Since then the colony has grown rapidly, increasing initially at about 60% a year. By 1997 there were 2350 adult birds. Such a quick growth of the colony was the result of immigration and reproduction.
Although very proud of its penguins, nearby residents suffered badly as the birds invaded their gardens, destroyed the undergrowth and were generally very noisy and messy. The great increase in tourists has also been a problem. As a result, the area has now been taken over by Cape Peninsula National Park, the birds have been restrained from wandering inland by a fence, board walks and an information room have all been established.
Website - http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm
Seal Island
Seal Island is a small land mass (800 metre wide by 50 metre's long) located 5.7 km off the northern beaches of False Bay. The island is so named because of the great number of Cape Fur Seals that occupy it
There are Seal Island boat trips throughout the day leaving from Simons Town. Book in advance as tickets can be sold out quickly in the high tourist summer seasons (Oct - Feb).
It is not just the seals which make this such a popular attraction, depending on the time of year you will be treated to Whales and Great White Sharks!
Chapmans Peak
Connects Hout Bay with Noordhoek along one of the most dramatic marine routes in the world that hugs the coast of the Atlantic Seaboard for nine kilometres and 114 curves! Peaking at 583 metres the pictures show how the route looks stunning but they still dont give justice to the beauty of this not to be missed drive of a life time.
Chapman's Peak has just re-opened again after recent re-development work.
Official Website - http://www.chapmanspeakdrive.co.za/index.php
Kirstenbosch
Kirstenbosch is South Africa's national botanical garden with over 22,000 indigenous plants. In 2004 it was awarded a World Heritage Site.
There are many gardens including Peninsula Garden, Water-wise garden, Fragrance garden, Medicinal garden, The Dell, Protea Garden and Restio Garden. For further information consult the official website viewable at:
http://www.sanbi.org/frames/kirstfram.htm
The estate covers 528 hectares and is open 365 days a year with an entrance frr of R35 for adults and R10 for children aged 6-17. Under 6's are free. In 2008 Kirstenbosch's exhibit at the 'Chelsea Flower Show' won Gold Medal and The President's Cup.
Winelands
The Cape Winelands is the largest wine producing region in South Africa and is divided into six main wine regions, each offering their own unique wine route. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington are the most popular.
Stellenbosch Wine region is the best known in the Cape. It is home to a variety of cellars producing some of the country's most acclaimed wines. Simonsig, Boschendal, Neethlingshof, Delheim, Welmoed, Delair, Spier, Saxenburg, Asara, Blaauwklippen, Warwick, Kanonkop, De Trafford, Thelema, Niel Ellis, Rust en Vrede, Dornier, Watwerford and De toren,to name a few.
Constantia Valley wine region is situated in mountainous surroundings, and boasts some of the oldest wine estates and homesteads along with several award winning wines and restaurants. 90% of the farms offer wine tastings and cellar tours. The above picture is taken at Groot Constantia.
Camps Bay
Located just behind Table Mountain, nestled beneath Lions Head and the majestic Twelve Apostles, and boasting a magnificent palm fringed sandy beach, Camps Bay is a real gem.
Visited by the dolphins the vibrant pavement cafes and restaurants set an ambient scene for the beautiful scenery which surrounds. Popular throughout the year and a must to visit once on tour in Cape Town.
Open Top Sight Seeing Tour
There are two City Sight Seeing Tours around Cape Town. The 'Red Route' departs every 20 minutes taking in 17 great stops around the city; and the 'Blue Mini Peninsula Tour' which is a fabulous scenic drive through 13 stops, departing every 45 minutes.
One Day and Two Day tickets are available, allowing the Hop on, Hop off service for both buses. The one day ticket costs R110 for adults and R60 for Children, while the two day is R180 for adults and R120 for the little ones.
The tour which is a great way to see all the city attractions is accompanied by a 14 Channel multi-language commentary.
The official website which maps out all the attractions is available to view at:
http://www.citysightseeing.co.za/
To Be Continued ...
