Situated on the south-western tip of Africa, the Western Cape with its wide beaches and breathtaking scenery, complemented by a rich variety of cultures, historical landmarks, world-class restaurants and entertainment, is a world-famous tourist destination. Table Mountain, the Cape winelands, Robben Island and the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are among the province’s most popular tourist attractions. The Western Cape is also known for its floral diversity. The Cape Floristic Region World Heritage Site comprising eight separate protected areas, covers an area of more than 553 000 ha stretching from the Cape Peninsula to the Eastern Cape. The Knysna-Tsitsikamma region has the country’s biggest indigenous forests. Cape Town has proved again that it’s a film-friendly destination and it is reaping the benefits.

Cape Town

Cape Town, city and seaport, legislative capital of South Africa and capital of Western Cape province. The city lies at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula some 30 miles (50 kilometres), at its southernmost boundary, north of the Cape of Good Hope. Because it was the site of the first European settlement in South Africa, Cape Town is known as the country’s “mother city.”

Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most historically important cities. It was here, in the Mother City, where the first European colonists set foot in South Africa—which also marked the beginning of the South African slave trade. It was home to perhaps the world’s most famous political prisoner—Nelson Mandela—who was held on the tiny Robben Island in Table Bay.

Cape Town is a city that proves you really can have it all. Whether you want endless sandy beaches, top notch vineyards, gourmet restaurants or magnificent nature, Cape town’s got it. That isn’t even the half of it, though. South Africa’s oldest city really is a stunner, helped by a dramatic natural setting that includes sunset views stretching out over the undulating ocean. On the ground, Cape Town’s suburbs sprawl but are still surprisingly manageable, with most tourist attractions clustered close together. You can't walk far without stumbling across markets selling African crafts, independent art galleries, fascinating museums or some of the continent’s best restaurants. The city centre has a lot to keep you occupied, whether you’re in lively Long Street, wandering among the colourful houses of Bo kaap or walking around the European-influenced De Waterkant. Many tourists stay in the City Bowl, where you’ll find the leafy suburbs of Gardens below Table Mountain, and Tamboerskloof below Lion’s Head; or on the Atlantic Seaboard, with its close proximity to the promenade and beaches. The waterfront is always bustling with visitors and locals enjoying the shops and restaurants or waiting to board the ferry to Robben Island to see Nelson Mandela’s former prison cell. Outside the city, the Cape vineyards offer a glimpse into another world; a verdant landscape lined with vines, historic wine estates and towns such as Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek. There’s another world beyond the city limits: the townships, which the majority of Cape residents call home. Some are uplifting, others less so, and nearly all can be visited on responsible townships tours. So, mo matter if you’re after chasing the colour and carnival of the chaotic city centre or sipping a Chenin blanc among the casks of a Stellenbosch wine estate, Cape Town can be uncorked, savoured and enjoyed time and time again.

CAPE POINT ROAD TRIP
Take a drive along the beautiful coastal road to scenic Cape Point. The highway will take you through historical Hout Bay and Sentinel Peak and to the winding Chapman’s Peak Road. Cape Point is located in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve and has dramatic views of the ocean, a charming historical lighthouse, and dangerous rocks that have led to many a shipwreck in olden times.

GO ON A HIKE Lion’s Head: One of the more popular hikes in Cape Town is Lion’s Head. It’s a challenging but rewarding climb and is an excellent sunset spot! Skelton Gorge: For a longer hike, make your way up Skelton Gorge. It’s a 4.5-hour trek that will take you through an indigenous forest before ending at the top of Table Mountain.

Newlands Forest: There are multiple hikes that you can take inside Newlands Forest. The routes are moderate and will take you through some of the most beautiful parts of Cape Town.

Kloof Corner: Only a 20-minute hike up the slopes of Table Mountain is one of the best short hikes in the city. Pack some drinks and enjoy a sundowner while overlooking Camps Bay.

CABLE CAR UP TO TABLE MOUNTAIN You can hop on the cable car to scale nearby Table Mountain and see its panoramic views over Cape Town. This is a great place to watch the sunset, but be aware that it will be very crowded at that time and you may have to wait in line to get back down! HELICOPTER FLIGHT Several helicopter companies offer scenic flights of Cape Town with stunning views of the city and the Cape of Good Hope.

DAY TRIP TO THE WINELANDS Take a drive up to the Stellenbosch or Franschhoek and have a delicious lunch and wine tasting at any of the beautiful farms or estates.

HIT THE BEACH Cape Town is home to quite a few beautiful beaches. The most famous one is Clifton 2nd located on the West Coast. Other beaches not to be missed is Long Beach in Noordhoek, Bakhoven Beach, and Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANIC GARDEN The Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden is home to a large collection of African plants and offers trails carved out for trekkers and stone sculptures set in the gardens for artists. In summertime, you’ll often find live concerts held on the grass on Sundays. The garden is one of nine National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa’s six different biomes and administered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI).

Cape Town Central

Fondly known as the ‘mother city’, Cape Town lies in the arms of Table Mountain, in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. More often than not, shrouded in cloud and one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. The heart of Cape Town’s city, is one of the only major CBDs in South Africa, if not the world, that hasn’t experienced urban decay or major relocation of big business. Long Street is a mix of African curios, antique shops, book shops and coffee shops and restaurants. During peak season, market stalls line some of the avenues near Greenmarket Square and many art exhibitions. For the tourist, Cape Town offers a variety of activities and attractions, such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, Ratanga Junction Theme Park, Canal Walk Shopping Centre, craft markets, the BMW Pavilion, IMAX Theatre and numerous shopping centres. The centre of Cape Town has grown over the last few years and is the business centre but it is also a chance to experience South Africa’s past - the South African Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, Company Gardens, Government Avenue and other museums and galleries lining the centre of town. Taking a ride up the cable car to Table Mountain is well worth the visit. Lion’s Head, the conical shaped mountain next to the table top is another mountain worth the trip. The city centre has a variety of accommodation options available from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units.

Cape Town - Durbanville

Durbanville is situated North of Cape Town in one of the fastest-growing areas in the Western Cape, South Africa. There is a wonderful mix of modern and old-world charm, and is the ideal place for visitors to stay looking to be close to Cape Town, while absorbing the peaceful surrounds of the town. The town was founded in the early 19th century around a fresh water spring. Durbanville was first known as Pampoenkraal (from the Afrikaans words pampoen which means pumpkin, and kraal meaning corral - an enclosure for animals). In 1836 the village of Pampoenkraal was renamed D’Urban in honour of the Governor of the Cape Colony, Sir Benjamin d'Urban, until 1886 when it was renamed to Durbanville in order to avoid confusion with Durban - a major port city in the east of South Africa. Afrikaans and English are the main languages spoken in Durbanville, although the majority of the town have Afrikaans as their first language. Durbanville has a variety of accommodation options available from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units. There are many beautiful things about this old town, but the highlight must be to see the picturesque historical buildings dotted around, accentuating the Cape’s Colonial history. An excellent shopping centre, the Tygervalley Shopping Centre is a short drive away, while the main highways into the various surrounding areas are minutes away, making Durbanville conveniently situated for both business and leisure activities. The newly developed Tygervalley Waterfront, is a must see for any visitor to the area. In this part of the world lies a closely guarded secret, the Durbanville Wine Route. Wine farming started in Durbanville in the 17th century, when farmers planted vineyards with Cape Madeira, the white grape of the time. Many of these farms now form part of the Wine Route today, and have award-winning wines, cultivated by generations of wine-makers. These wines can be sampled during the week. Visit Rust en Vrede : The building dates back to 1850. It was originally a prison. Today, it has a coffee shop, hosts the local craft market (held on the first Saturday of every month), a Clay Museum and an Art gallery.
Durbanville Nature Reserve : Lovely picnic area, amongst the unique fynbos.
Onze Molen (a restored mill).
King’s Court (a 1905 residential building).

McGregor

McGregor, a charming, well-preserved mid 19th century village with its quaint, thatched cottages sits at the foot of the Riversonderend Mountains in the Western Cape province of South Africa. You will find McGregor just two hours from Cape Town: Turn off the N1 at Worcester, take the R60 to Robertson and McGregor lies just 20km South of Robertson. The village was established in 1861 and was originally called Lady Grey. It was renamed in 1905 in honour of Rev. Andrew McGregor, who had been the Dutch Reformed Church minister of the Robertson District for forty years. It has become somewhat of a magnet for alternative lifestyles. It is part of the broader wine route network of the Western Cape and is situated at one end of the popular Boesmanskloof Trail to the town of Greyton to the south. The area offers many outdoor activities, arts and crafts, tranquillity and relaxation. Surrounded by mountain trails, fruit orchards, olive groves and vineyards, the village has maintained a rural peaceful ambience which is an inspiration to artists. There are walking/hiking trails, mountain biking, 4x4 trails, bird watching in Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve, a pottery studio, art galleries, cob house building and enjoyable meals and chats at one of our coffee shops, restaurants or pubs. Or relax with a massage. The most spectacular hiking trail is the Boesmanskloof trail from McGregor to Greyton. Wine Valley Safari offers safe, reliable, convenient and extremely fun transport in an open-air safari vehicle, allowing you to fully breathe in and discover the Robertson Wine Valley in all its glory!​ ​Choose from self-guided hop-on hop-off routes to pre-packaged wine tasting tours. Let us be your personal chauffeur, while you relax and enjoy a memorable excursion in a socially-buzzed atmosphere.​ Accommodation in McGregor includes gracious B&B’s, rustic self-catering and guesthouses.

Robertson

Robertson is situated in the shadow of the majestic Langeberg Mountains in the Western Cape province of South Africa. With the Breede River as its lifeblood, Robertson is the Western gateway to The Heart of Route 62. Robertson has a 150 years of history, and has grown into one of the most attractive Cape Wine lands towns with its many Victorian Buildings, jacaranda-lined streets and beautiful gardens. The Robertson region may be best known for its wine but the variety of attractions and activities combined with spectacular scenery and the relaxed hospitality of the people, ensure visitors an unforgettable stay. Robertson Wine Valley forms part of the longest wine route in the world, Route 62. Robertson offers visitors many diverse attractions: From a lazy cruise on the Breede River to a vigorous mountain hike, an olive route, playing the newly opened 18- hole golf course, elegant wining and dining to outdoor picnics and exploring our rich historical sites. Wine Valley Safari offers safe, reliable, convenient and extremely fun transport in an open-air safari vehicle, allowing you to fully breathe in and discover the Robertson Wine Valley in all its glory!​ ​Choose from self-guided hop-on hop-off routes to pre-packaged wine tasting tours. Let us be your personal chauffeur, while you relax and enjoy a memorable excursion in a socially-buzzed atmosphere.​ The local farm stalls overflow with fresh produce, dried fruit and freshly made breads, homemade jams and preserves. Robertson and its surrounds are a paradise for nature lovers and sport enthusiasts. Robertson offers a variety of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, from backpackers to 4 star guest houses, bed and breakfast, farm accommodation and much more. In short, Robertson is ‘food for your soul’!

Still Bay

Still Bay is situated on the coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Still Bay lies on the Garden Route almost 400 kilometers East of Cape Town. Just a short 26 kilometers off the N2 highway, you will arrive at the little village of Still Bay situated at the mouth of the Goukou River. Still Bay is a charming seaside village on the Garden Route. Its close neighbours Jongensfontein and Melkhoutfontein. Still Bay is situated along the banks of the Goukou River estuary where it meets the Indian Ocean on the Southern Cape coast of South Africa. Still Bay was established in 1894 and it was used more for holiday purposes than for permanent residence. Between 1930 and 1955 a pontoon ferried vehicles across the river and in 1955 a bridge was eventually built. Still Bay is the perfect holiday destination! The shallow bay, the clean stretches of sandy beaches, (of which “Lappiesbaai” has Blue Flag status during the Dec – Jan holiday season), the lagoon and the 15 kilometres long navigable Goukou river make Still Bay such a treat over the holiday season! Water Sports abound: swimming, sunbathing, surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing, angling, walking, sailing, canoeing, boating and waterskiing.The vegetation in the area consists mainly of coastal Fynbos, including wild olives and numerous proteas. Still Bay lies on the “Cape Whale Route'' and in whale season (July - November) you can observe whale mothers playing with their calves. Whale watching is a must and the dedicated whale watching view point above the harbour is an excellent viewing point. A wide range of accommodation offers luxury Guesthouses, cosy bed and breakfasts, self-catering chalets and excellent camping facilities.

Victoria Bay

Victoria Bay is situated on the Southern coast of the Western Cape province of South Africa. Victoria Bay is undoubtedly the Garden Route's most beautiful bays and has been described by locals and visitors as ‘The Gem of the Garden Route”. Situated just outside of George off the N2 and 10km from the Wilderness on the Garden Route, Victoria Bay is the perfect holiday base from which to explore the whole region. Victoria Bay has some of the best surfing waves on the Southern coast! With world class surfing, whale and dolphin watching, snorkelling, swimming, fishing and hiking, Victoria Bay has all the activities a holiday maker could possibly desire! Fishing from the jetty and rocks adjacent to the beach are popular pass times for the keen fishermen. Victoria Bay has a gently-sloping beach that is very safe for swimming. The dolphins and whales are often spotted in the bay and can be seen from your tent or bedroom window! Victoria Bay is the perfect spot to watch Whales in whale season (July - November) and dolphins can be seen all year round! There is a hiking trail to the point of the cove. Golf courses are plentiful in George and surrounding areas.Shopping or just driving along the N2 to all the neighbouring towns along the Garden Route will keep you busy all day! Accommodation facilities in Victoria Bay include bed and breakfasts (B&Bs) and self catering houses and camping close to the beach. There is a restaurant on the beach with a wonderful menu.

De Hoop Nature Reserve

De Hoop Nature Reserve lies three hours from Cape Town and it is situated in the Overberg Region of the Western Cape. It is situated east of Bredasdorp and may be approached from either Bredasdorp or Swellendam. The Reserve is approximately 34 000 ha in size which is a favourite destination for hikers, bird watchers, cyclists, basically all outdoor lovers, One of the largest marine protected areas is the adjacent De Hoop Marine Protected Area. The area extends 5 km out to sea and it is a one of the largest marine protected areas in Africa. The De Hoop Marine Protected Area provides a sanctuary for an array of marine life. De Hoop Nature Reserve forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom which is part of the wold’s smallest and most endangered plant kingdoms. The dominant vegetation group in this reserve is the Fynbos. De Hoop Nature Reserve has the largest unspoiled area for the Fynbos. ​De Hoop Nature Reserve is surrounded by a vast number of private game farms and the open Bushveld. Travellers can enjoy the breathtaking views which the hotels, lodges and guest houses have to offer. Have a look at our accommodation directory for more information. The area has a good infrastructure providing the essentials to locals and tourists alike. Our business directory has a list of businesses in De Hoop or add your own free business directory listing.

Greyton

At approximately an hour and a half from Cape Town you will find the peaceful and picturesque village of Greyton, in the Overberg region of the Western Cape, South Africa.​ Greyton lies at the foot of the majestic Sonderend mountain range with its mighty oak trees, original thatched cottages, leafy lanes and breath-taking mountain views. Greyton is best explored on foot or bicycle to make the most of the spectacular views and feel the quaintness of the village. Many of the town's original buildings and features are retained, including the original Lei water system of street furrows. There are also two old churches and some of the earliest cottages built between 1854 and 1860. Greyton has a wide variety of accommodation options available from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units. The area is a hiker and mountain-biker’s paradise, there are well-marked trails for every level of fitness and expertise.​ Greyton is the starting point for the famous one- or two-day Boesmanskloof trail. Other activities include tennis and horse-riding. There is a craft market every Sunday in the village square and the annual Rose festival in October / November is not to be missed out on, among other great events. But above all, Greyton is a nature lovers’ destination. Greyton has a thriving business community mostly geared towards the tourism industry and provides a wide range of goods and services to its residents as well as surrounding communities.

St Helena Bay

Discovered by Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1497, St Helena Bay, known locally as 'Die Agterbaai', is one of the world's prime fishing centres. Fed by the nutrient-rich Benguela current, the waters teem with marine life, which provides the livelihood for its coastal inhabitants. Endemic Heaviside dolphins, as well as dusky and common dolphins visit the bay in search of food, and the calm waters give shelter to the southern right whales that come to mate and calve in the second half of the year - and can easily be seen from the shore. Humpback and killer whales are also frequent visitors. St Helena Bay has a variety of accommodation options available from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units. St Helena Bay is a popular tourist destination, particularly during the spring wildflower season, with visitors from all over the world who come for relaxation and recreation. Ancient granite hills and boulders form a backdrop to the village and offer stunning views of the bay and across to the Piketberg mountains, while the white sandy beaches are perfect for beach combing and even a refreshing dip in the Atlantic. St Helena Bay is also a bird watcher's paradise and being at the southernmost point of the migratory route from Europe and the Steppes of Russia makes it a must-visit spot for twitchers. This town has a diverse range of activities to suit every visitor.

Koringberg

Koringberg is a small wheat and sheep farming town situated in the West Coast region of the Western Cape, South Africa. About 20 km from Moorreesburg on the N7 you will go to Koringberg. Koringberg may be one of the lesser known villages in the Swartland, but the Koringberg Mountain Biking Trail is slowly putting the town on the map. This day ride is a guided bike tour that starts with an easy and fast jeep track that prepares you for the hard climb ahead - worth it, for the amazing panoramic views at the end of it. Koringberg has a variety of accommodation options available from Guest Houses, Bed and Breakfasts to Self-catering units. This area has become very popular with paragliders, while horse-riding, hiking and mountain-biking trails snake through the undulating surrounds. Visiting the Doll Collection and the Old Blacksmith’s Shop is a must. Misverstand Dam, being not far away, off the N7, offers the tourist many water activities including canoeing, swimming, fishing and water-skiing. A sunset boat trip down the river provides one with amazing views of the varied and pretty birdlife. There are many restaurants on offer to suit every visitor's budget. There is a great selection of restaurants, coffee shops and pubs to choose from!​ Koringberg has a thriving business community and provides a wide range of goods and services to its residents as well as surrounding communities.