Cape Town Holidays
Cape Town is a coastal city located in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is famous for its natural beauty, cultural diversity, and historical significance. The city has a population of around 4 million people and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa. Here are my top things to do if you plan on doing a Cape Town holiday.
1| Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain that overlooks Cape Town, South Africa. It’s one of the most iconic landmarks of the city and is recognised as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature. It is one of the must-do things during the Cape Town Holidays. The mountain is approximately 3,558 feet (1,085 meters) high and offers stunning panoramic views of Cape Town, the Atlantic Ocean, and the surrounding mountains.
Visitors can take a cable car up to the top or hike up one of the many trails. The cable car rotates 360 degrees as it ascends, giving visitors a full view of the city as they climb. Once at the top, visitors can explore the various walking paths, visit the souvenir shop or grab a bite to eat at the restaurant.
There are several ways to get to Table Mountain, but the most popular and convenient way is by taking the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. The cable car ride takes about 5-10 minutes, and the cable car rotates 360 degrees as it ascends, providing breathtaking views of the city and the ocean.
Alternatively, you can hike up Table Mountain using one of the many hiking trails. The most popular hiking trail is the Platteklip Gorge Trail, which starts at the Lower Cableway Station and takes about 2-3 hours to reach the summit. However, hiking up Table Mountain can be challenging, and it’s important to be prepared with proper hiking gear and plenty of water. It’s also possible to take a guided tour of Table Mountain, which may include transportation to and from your accommodation, as well as a guided hike or cable car ride up the mountain. These tours can be booked in advance through a variety of tour operators in Cape Town.
2| Robben Island
Robben Island is a small island located off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa. The island is known for its historical significance as a prison where Nelson Mandela and other anti-apartheid activists were incarcerated for many years. Today, Robben Island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to the public for guided tours.
Robben Island was used as a prison for over 400 years, beginning in the 17th century. Later, it was used as a prison by the apartheid government of South Africa, and many anti-apartheid activists were imprisoned there, including Nelson Mandela. Mandela spent 18 years of his 27-year sentence on the island before being released in 1990.
Visitors to Robben Island can take a guided tour of the prison, which includes a visit to Mandela’s former cell, as well as a tour of the island’s museum and the limestone quarry where political prisoners were forced to work. The tours are led by former political prisoners who offer firsthand accounts of their experiences on the island.
3| Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kirstenbosch is a beautiful garden with over 7,000 species of plants. It’s a great place to take a walk, have a picnic, or attend a concert in the summer months.
The garden was established in 1913 and covers an area of over 1,300 acres (528 hectares). It features a wide range of plant species, including fynbos, proteas, and other flora native to the Cape Floral Kingdom, one of the world’s six recognized floral kingdoms. Visitors to Kirstenbosch can explore the various walking paths and trails, which wind through lush gardens, forests, and meadows. The garden also features several themed gardens, including the Fragrance Garden, the Medicinal Garden, and the Waterwise Garden.
One of the highlights of Kirstenbosch is the Centenary Tree Canopy Walkway, also known as the Boomslang. This raised walkway is over 1,000 feet (320 meters) long and offers visitors a bird’s eye view of the garden and the surrounding mountains.
4| Go Shark Diving!
Shark diving in Cape Town is a thrilling and unforgettable experience for adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Cape Town is home to some of the world’s largest populations of great white sharks, making it a popular destination for shark diving expeditions.
Shark diving tours typically depart from the small coastal town of Gansbaai, which is located about a two-hour drive from Cape Town. The tours usually involve a boat ride to Dyer Island, which is known for its large population of great white sharks.
Once the boat reaches the dive site, participants are lowered into a metal cage that is attached to the boat. The cage is then lowered into the water, allowing participants to observe the sharks up close as they swim past the cage.
Shark diving tours are led by experienced guides who provide safety instructions and educational information about the behaviour and biology of great white sharks. The tours are also conducted in a responsible and sustainable manner, with strict guidelines in place to ensure the safety of both the participants and the sharks.
5| Bo-Kaap
The Malay Quarter, also known as the Bo-Kaap, is a vibrant neighbourhood in Cape Town, South Africa, that is known for its colourful houses, rich history, and delicious cuisine. The area is also home to what is commonly referred to as “Malay Street,” a stretch of road lined with shops and restaurants that serve traditional Malay cuisine.
The Malay Quarter was originally settled by Cape Malay slaves who were brought to Cape Town from Malaysia, Indonesia, and other parts of Southeast Asia during the 17th and 18th centuries. Today, the neighbourhood is a cultural melting pot, and its streets are filled with the sounds, smells, and flavours of the many different cultures that have influenced the area over the years.
Malay Street is a popular destination for foodies and visitors looking to experience the unique flavours of Cape Malay cuisine. The street is lined with a variety of restaurants and food stalls that serve dishes such as bobotie, a fragrant meat dish made with spices, fruit, and a custard topping, and samosas, crispy pastry pockets filled with meat or vegetables.
I hope you enjoyed reading up on my experience on Cape Town Holidays, which will give you an idea of what type of hotel you would prefer to spend your time in Cape Town. If you enjoyed reading this blog, please feel free to read my other blogs at https://www.mymemoriesabroad.com/category/blog/ or head to my Pinterest profile to have a look at travel photos which will hopefully inspire you to book your holiday to remember at https://www.pinterest.co.uk/mymemoriesabroad/.