Capetown is considered to be the “mother city” of South Africa because it was the first European settlement established in Africa. In 1652 the Dutch set up a permanent refreshment stop here for the fleets of the Dutch East India Company. Capetown has grown over the years to become one of the best cities in South Africa. The beaches, mountains, winelands, festivals, unique shopping and diverse cultural identity attract visitors from all over the world. While you are in Capetown why don’t you:
1. Take the cable car to the top of Table Mountain.
Wait for a clear day and then ride the cable car to the top of Table Mountain. Enjoy a spectacular view of the Capetown flats. Have lunch at the restaurant or take one of the several walks around the flat “table top” of the mountain. Bring warm clothing as you are ascending 1,085 meters (3,526 feet) above sea level and it can get windy and chilly up there. Adult Admission is R130 ($19 US) www.tablemountain.net
2. Go see the African Penguins at Boulders Beach.
Visit Boulders beach and see they only penguins in Africa, the Jackass or African Penguins. They are a threatened species but since they first colonized the beach in 1982, they have managed to increase in numbers. Toady there are nearly 3000 penguins inhabiting the beach. You can get up close and personal with them on the viewing platforms. There is an admission charge.
http://www.simonstown.com/tourism/penguins/penguins.htm
3, Visit Robben Island, South Africa’s famous political prison.
See Robben Island, Capetown’s version of Alcatraz, the famous political prison where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years of his 27 year imprisonment. Tour the island with former inmates for guides. Visit the cell where Mandela wrote his memoirs, “The Long Walk to Freedom”. The island is now a UNESCO world heritage site and operated as a museum. It is wise to book ahead as a visit to the island is very popular. The cost is R150 ($22 US) for a 3 ½ hour tour which includes a return trip to the island, a 45 minute coach tour of the island and a tour of the prison facility conducted by an ex-political prisoner.
http://www.southafrica-travel.net/westcape/cato_11.htm
http://www.robben-island.org.za/
http://www.robben-island.org.za/departments/tours/tours.ASP
http://www.robben-island.org.za/tickets.ASP
4. Travel to the end of Africa, the Cape Point.
Visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. The 30 square mile (77 sq. km) park includes Cape Point, the most south west point of the African continent located at 18o 28’ 26” East and 34o 21’25 South. This is also the place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans met. Get a great view of the Cape of Good Hope, also known as the Cape of Storms. Have your picture taken with the famous sign. Spend the day hiking through one of the richest areas of vegetation in the world or soak up the sun on the beach. Watch for Cape Mountain Zebra, eland, several types of antelopes and baboons. Admission is R55 ($8 US) per person.
http://www.sunsetbeach.co.za/cape_point.htm
http://www.capepoint.co.za/tmnp.HTML
http://www.capepointroute.co.za/seeit-capepoint.PHP
5. Take a tour of the winelands of Stellenbosch.
The first bottle of wine was produced in the area in 1659 and by all accounts it was terrible. Winemaking improved with the arrival of the Hugenots in 1688 and South African wine has been getting better and better ever since. This is why you should drive the famous wine route. Take a tour of one of the many wineries located in the area. Enjoy a cellar and wine tasting tour of some of South Africa’s best wine estates. The genuine Dutch Cape atmosphere, scenic mountains, and hospitable wine estates make this a side trip you won’t want to miss. There are over 100 wine producing farms and estates in the lovely Stellenbosch valley. With so many fine wine estates to choose from, you many want to spend a few days on the wine route.
http://www.tourismcapewinelands.co.za/za/guide/6de,en/objectId,RGN22za/home.HTML
http://winelands.co.za/index.PHP?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=37&Itemid=87
http://www.discoverthecape.com/winelands/winelands.HTML
http://www.wine.co.za/Tour/Routes/
