Western Cape Attractions

The Cape offers the visitor a rich diversity of scenic splendour.

	Unforgettable views on Table Mountain: With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic cities in the world. The Table Mountain cableway has become a landmark in Cape Town since it's inception 75 years ago and over 16 million people have since taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain. World class shopping at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront: Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain in the heart of Cape Town. Much of its charm lies in the fact that this busy commercial harbour is set in the midst of a huge entertainment venue with pubs, restaurants, specialty shops, craft markets and movie theatres. Living history at Robben Island: Robben Island was once a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment. During the apartheid years Robben Island became internationally known for its institutional brutality. Since 1997 Robben Island has been a museum. The museum on the Island is a dynamic institution, which acts as a focal point of South African heritage. The Robben Island Museum runs educational programmes for schools, youths and adults. It also facilitates tourism development, conducts ongoing research related to Robben Island and fulfils an archiving function. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: Internationally acclaimed as one of the great botanical gardens of the world grows only indigenous South African plants. The Kirstenbosch estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. On Sundays during the summer months from December to March, musical sunset concerts are held on the lawns at Kirstenbosch. Craft markets are also held at the Stone Cottages (opposite Kirstenbosch) on the last Sunday of every month (except June, July and August). Wine tasting along the Route 62 Wine route: Constantia was one of the first wine-producing areas of the Western Cape. The Wine Museum has a number of interesting exhibits, including stoneware dating from 500 BC to the present day. Wine can be sampled and purchased on the estate. There are two restaurants on the estate. Wine tours are conducted daily. Cape of Good Hope: The Castle is the oldest surviving building in South Africa. A unique combination of history, fine wine, traditional food, military ceremonies and craftsmanship awaits you at this pentagonal fortification.
	Simon’s Town : Offers harbour boat trips, sailing, sea kayaking, big game fishing, tours of SA Naval Harbour and longer boat trips to Cape Point and Seal Island. Gordons Bay : Offers catamaran cruises, trips to Duiker Island to view seals, jet-ski trips, sea kayaking, diving and fishing. Kalk Bay: Home to one of the last remaining working harbours in South Africa, not only can you meet the returning boats for the catch of the day at noon, but the little cobbled streets, appealing shops and at least 20 restaurants make this an easy place to while away the time and forget the fast pace of city living. Antique stores, second-hand book shops, art galleries and a thriving theatre have given rise to a real sense of community in Kalk Bay. Fish Hoek: Has one of the loveliest and safest beaches on the False Bay Coast. It is an ideal family beach. The beach tends to be the stamping ground of retired pensioners and families. During whale watching season, whales and their offspring often cavort in these waters, whilst canoeists carefully circle to catch a close-up inspection. Cape Town International Kite Festival: An annual charity event. Every year thousands of visitors, including international kite flying teams from around the world, gather in Muizenberg, Cape Town to witness spectacular show kites, live entertainment, stalls, schools' competitions and much more..
	Tsitsikamma National Park: Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning, “place of much water". The Tsitsikamma’s spectacular scenery includes the Indian Ocean breakers, pounding rocky shores beneath 180m high cliffs, ever-green forests and fynbos (proteas and heath) rolling down to the sea in a lush carpet where ancient rivers have carved their path to the ocean through rocky ravines. All these tend to attract large numbers of international and local tourists to the Park. Lakes Area National Park: Formerly this national park consisted of the Wilderness National Park and Knysna National Lake Area. Because of their proximity and similarities they are currently managed as a single unit. The Knysna National Lake Area: Home to the endangered Knysna seahorse and a large diversity of marine life. The Wilderness National ParkS: In the heart of South Africa's famous Garden Route, a charming world of lakes, rivers, fens, estuaries and beaches gently unfold against a backdrop of lush forest and lofty mountains, all elements that characterize the Wilderness National Park. Outeniqua Choo-Choo: One of the few remaining operational steam trains in the country: Steam enthusiasts are in their element and everyone enjoys the splendid views of lakes, forests, beaches and cliffs on the train's coastal route between George and Knysna. One-way 3 hour trip, Monday to Friday and on Saturdays during the school holidays. Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary: Monkeyland is the world’s first free roaming multi-specie primate sanctuary. Monkeyland, is unique in that the sanctuary caters for several species of primate. They are not caged and are free to move about the forest harmoniously. The Cango Caves: The Cango Caves are a series of amazing dripstone caverns that open into vast halls of towering stalagmite formations. Not all of the caves are open to the public - there is more than one section of the caves that took millions of years to form one of the world’s great natural wonders - but the main sections are available for awesome exploratory subterranean walks that include fumbling around on all fours in an effort to see all that is visible in this natural underground wonderland.
	West Coast National Park: The largest concentration of mammals is in the Postberg Reserve, but this is only open to public during flower season. However mammals are found throughout the rest of the reserve. Eland, red hartebeest, Cape grysbok, caracal and rock hyrax are some of the species to look out for. Visitors should also keep an eye on the Atlantic Ocean for passing whales and dolphins. Board sailing in Langebaan: The Langebaan Lagoon on the Cape West Coast is another favourite with locals, offering some of the best windsurfing in South Africa. Darling Wine Route: Darling is only an hour’s drive from Cape Town and one can easily visit the cellars within a day’s trip. Now a demarcated wine district and home to their own wine route, including five wine cellars, all of which benefit from the cool breezes off the Atlantic Ocean and the long, hot summers to produce some stunning wines with concentrated flavour, depth and intensity. Lambert's Bay Kreeffees: Kreef is Afrikaans for crayfish, and fees can be both festival and feast. At the Lambert's Bay Kreeffees, held annually in the Cape West Coast town of Lambert's Bay, you'll feast on fresh crayfish and get festive at rock concerts by some of South Africa's favourite musicians.
	Stellenbosch Wine Route: Just 45 minutes from Cape Town, the Stellenbosch wine route is the oldest in the country and represents over 300 wineries. Paarl Vintners: Paarl Vintners has earned its place as the world’s first ‘red route’ because of its focus on wines such as Roodeberg, Cabernet Sauvignon, port and Shiraz. SA Cheese Festival: Visitors will be able to feast their senses on the widest selection of cheese currently available in South Africa. Whether you have a well-trained palate, simply enjoy savouring new tastes. Looking for the perfect cheese match among the delicacies galore? Wine, nuts and olives are to name but a few… Huguenot Memorial: The Huguenot Monument is dedicated to the cultural influences that French Huguenots have brought to the Cape Colony after their immigration during the 17th and 18th centuries. The Memorial Museum neighbouring the monument elaborates on the history of the French Huguenots who settled in the Cape Franschhoek Motor Museum: The museum's collection exceeds 220 vehicles - ranging from an 1898 Beeston motor tricycle to a 2003 Ferrari Enzo supercar - and more than 80 exhibits are on view at any one time.
	Cape Whale Coast: The coming of the whales to the Cape Overberg coastline, also known as the Cape Whale Coast, every year between June and November, creates a stir, as it brings to our shores a large, very intelligent and remarkable giant of the sea which has adapted to life in the open oceans.
	Karoo National Park: The Karoo National Park has a wide variety of endemic wildlife. Many species have been relocated to their former ranges, such as black rhino and buffalo, as well as Cape mountain zebra. The parks 20 odd pairs of black eagles are an attraction. The Karoo National Park has a very rich reptilian fauna. Of particular significance are the 5 species of tortoise. Among a number of short walks and hiking trails, the park has the world's first fossil trail for the blind. Especially designed for the more adventurous. Klein Karoo Wine Route: The route starts in Montagu and leads through Barrydale, Ladismith and Calitzdorp, ending in Oudtshoorn and De Rust. Annual event: Klein Karoo Food and Wine Festival in December. The Swartberg Pass: Often covered with snow in winter, the 27km Swartberg Pass is considered one of the finest mountain passes in the world. The road is supported in places by hand-packed stone walls, a trademark of the brilliant road engineer Thomas Charles Bain. Along the way there are relics of an old prison, toll hut and other interesting historical sites.