Travel Guide to Mother City [Cape Town]
Cape Town, the heart of South Africa is modern wonder with some of the best natural sights one can witness in lifetime. We have shortlisted some of the best things city has to offer which will force you to pack up the bags and visit the Mother City.
Crown of Cape Town
What can be a better way of
seeing whole Cape Town than visiting
mighty Table Mountain? At height of
more than 3500 ft, Table Mountain is
one of seven natural wonders of the
world and a significant tourist spot of Cape
Town.
To reach above the clouds, you have to either take a cable car that will cost you R180 for the round trip or if you have time and energy you can hike up mountain that will cost you 3 hours of time each way.
Hiking will enable you to have better interaction with the flora of the mountain because many of the plants are endemic to Table Mountain. In fact, there are more floral species in the Table Mountain National Park region than all of the United Kingdom.
To reach above the clouds, you have to either take a cable car that will cost you R180 for the round trip or if you have time and energy you can hike up mountain that will cost you 3 hours of time each way.
Hiking will enable you to have better interaction with the flora of the mountain because many of the plants are endemic to Table Mountain. In fact, there are more floral species in the Table Mountain National Park region than all of the United Kingdom.
Fun Fact: - Temperature on the top of mountain can be 5 degrees less than temperature in rest
of Cape Town.
Cape of Good Hope
Cape Town is home to most south-western point in whole
African continent, the Cape point. Once a stop by for trade between Europe and
India, cape point has now become a major tourist attraction in Cape Town. There
is even an old lighthouse at cape point dating back to 17th century which was
being used by the Portuguese.
It is a best spot to watch a bird fest because at
any day one can see more than 280 species of birds in cape point and if are
lucky enough, you can spot a Verraux’s eagle, or the rare Western reef heron.
Isn’t it amazing especially considering the level of urbanization in Cape Town
city?
Beware of the funny rumours you might hear, like on clear day you can
watch iceberg moving. Seriously!! You are at southern most point of Africa but
Antarctica is still far 3000 miles away. Therefore good luck, spotting one from
shore of Cape Town.
Cape
Town’s treasure
Kirstenbosch
National Botanical Garden is acclaimed as one of the great
botanic gardens of the world. Though most of garden is reserved for scientific purpose there is a still a
lot to be discovered and learned for visitors like us.
It will cost you R75 for making the entry but if you are senior citizen or have child below six years then you are in for free treat. Guided tours of the Garden leave from the Visitors’ Centre (Gate 1) at 10h00, 11h00 and 14h00 Monday to Friday and at 10h00 on Saturdays.
It will cost you R75 for making the entry but if you are senior citizen or have child below six years then you are in for free treat. Guided tours of the Garden leave from the Visitors’ Centre (Gate 1) at 10h00, 11h00 and 14h00 Monday to Friday and at 10h00 on Saturdays.
Cape Town’s Gay Pride
Most beautiful part of Cape Town is it welcomes everybody with open arms. City hosts
biggest LGBTQI festival in whole
African continent during last week of February
every year.
The Mother City turns into party central when Cape Town Pride takes over with events across the city. This year’s calendar highlights include a selection of parties, pageants, and more cultured events involving poetry and book discussions. Best part is you can also participate in the festival if above 18 years.
So what’s the harm in having fun and at the same time create awareness about the issues people from LGBTQI still faces in the society.
The Mother City turns into party central when Cape Town Pride takes over with events across the city. This year’s calendar highlights include a selection of parties, pageants, and more cultured events involving poetry and book discussions. Best part is you can also participate in the festival if above 18 years.
So what’s the harm in having fun and at the same time create awareness about the issues people from LGBTQI still faces in the society.
Zeitz Museum
There can be no better place then Cape Town for understanding African Contemporary art then the Zeitz museum. The exhibition cover space of 6000 square meters over nine floors and will surely keep you
occupied for whole day.
Museum is home to works of award winning artists like Nicholas Hlobo, Frances Goodman and kendell geers to name few. Therefore be prepared of clicking thousands of photos of their amazing work. Also if somehow you get bored, there are restaurants, bookshops and a rooftop sculpture garden which make sure you have all the fun.
Entry to museum will cost R180 but if you come from an African country then you get in for no cost on Wednesday…hurray!
Museum is home to works of award winning artists like Nicholas Hlobo, Frances Goodman and kendell geers to name few. Therefore be prepared of clicking thousands of photos of their amazing work. Also if somehow you get bored, there are restaurants, bookshops and a rooftop sculpture garden which make sure you have all the fun.
Entry to museum will cost R180 but if you come from an African country then you get in for no cost on Wednesday…hurray!
Penguins of Cape Town
Who needs to travel to end of the world till Antarctica
to find these flights less birds when you have the opportunity of spending time
with them here in Cape Town at Boulders Beach?
It is home to the colony of 25,000 penguins which can spotted even outside the beach area. Although you will be intimidated to touch these cute creatures but unfortunately you are not allowed to do so for safety concerns.
Luckily these Afrikaans Penguins can be found throughout the year but summers would be your best bet to see them in large numbers. There is an entry fee of R152 for adults and R39 for young ones. Some 110,000 visitors come to see the penguins each year. So what’s stopping you from being one of them? Join the tribe.
It is home to the colony of 25,000 penguins which can spotted even outside the beach area. Although you will be intimidated to touch these cute creatures but unfortunately you are not allowed to do so for safety concerns.
Luckily these Afrikaans Penguins can be found throughout the year but summers would be your best bet to see them in large numbers. There is an entry fee of R152 for adults and R39 for young ones. Some 110,000 visitors come to see the penguins each year. So what’s stopping you from being one of them? Join the tribe.
Beach is located
40 km away from centre of Cape Town
and can easily be reached within 45
minutes by taxi or bus services.
Colorfulness of Bo-Kaap
Most vibrant and photogenic neighbourhood of Cape Town, Built in
17th century this Muslim area was settled by slaves brought from all over the world. Interestingly there is no history why houses in the neighborhood are painted in such manner, locals says it’s just there way of living life and thus every house is repainted religiously once in 3 years.
Since people were brought from different regions, Bo-Kaap is home to some of the tastiest delicacy found in Cape Town. From yellow rice, samosas, cape malay curries to bobotie, these cuisines have become symbol of south African food.
At last do not forget to buy some spices to take back home from Atlas trading centre, it is being running as street corner store for generations.
17th century this Muslim area was settled by slaves brought from all over the world. Interestingly there is no history why houses in the neighborhood are painted in such manner, locals says it’s just there way of living life and thus every house is repainted religiously once in 3 years.
Since people were brought from different regions, Bo-Kaap is home to some of the tastiest delicacy found in Cape Town. From yellow rice, samosas, cape malay curries to bobotie, these cuisines have become symbol of south African food.
At last do not forget to buy some spices to take back home from Atlas trading centre, it is being running as street corner store for generations.
Nightmare sharks
Cape
Town
will surely make your worst nightmare come true. Yes you can experience
encounter with the most feared predators of water, tiger sharks through cage
diving in Dyer Island.
It is arguably one of the best places to get up close to these majestic beasts. It will take you around 2 hours to reach the island but thankfully most of the operators offer a shuttle services. The shuttle will pick you up from anywhere in the city centre. Though cage diving can be experienced around the year in Cape Town, winter months are more recommended for breaching expedition.
Such once in a lifetime experience does not come cheap therefore expect to shell out anywhere in between R1700 to R2400 for this expedition.
It is arguably one of the best places to get up close to these majestic beasts. It will take you around 2 hours to reach the island but thankfully most of the operators offer a shuttle services. The shuttle will pick you up from anywhere in the city centre. Though cage diving can be experienced around the year in Cape Town, winter months are more recommended for breaching expedition.
Such once in a lifetime experience does not come cheap therefore expect to shell out anywhere in between R1700 to R2400 for this expedition.
Tribute to Nelson Mandela
No matter how joyful Cape
Town may seems today, city has its share of dark times and there can be no
better place then robben island to
turn back the pages of history. Island is full of different prison building
from apartheid era but most famous
one being prison 7, it was here in
where sir Nelson Mandela served his 18 years during incarceration.
You would be astonished to see how small his prison cell was. Tour of the island is provided by guides who where contemporaries of Nelson Mandela. Who better to give you the tour of the prison then one who has experienced it from inside?
You would be astonished to see how small his prison cell was. Tour of the island is provided by guides who where contemporaries of Nelson Mandela. Who better to give you the tour of the prison then one who has experienced it from inside?
Generally tours starts from R360 onwards and can go upto R500
for international tourist. Ferries depart for Robben Island from the Nelson
Mandela Gateway at the V&A
Waterfront at 9am, 11am and 1pm daily. Better arrive early to avoid late rush.
Flee Market of Cape Town
Greenmarket
Square is the best place to buy everything Southafrican in Cape Town. Market opens at nine in the morning and is filled with traders selling everything from stunning
canvas artworks on sale, along with leather goods like sandals, hand-crafted
jewelers, ornaments, and much
more.
Remember to carry notes of small domination's while visiting and humble request do not bargain too much from them, they work hard to earn some living. If you get bored by shopping and need to satisfy hunger then you have many local delicacies selling in the area.
Also to have some fun there are artisans performing plays, singing music and dancing for you, making the place more magical. Remember market closes by four in the evening, so do not get late or you could miss all the fun out there.
Remember to carry notes of small domination's while visiting and humble request do not bargain too much from them, they work hard to earn some living. If you get bored by shopping and need to satisfy hunger then you have many local delicacies selling in the area.
Also to have some fun there are artisans performing plays, singing music and dancing for you, making the place more magical. Remember market closes by four in the evening, so do not get late or you could miss all the fun out there.
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