Cape Town The Mother City.
Being the oldest city in Africa and sitting between the ocean and a mountain with a National Park as its heart Cape Town is a unique city.
If you add its history both recent and older it ticks all the boxes of a destination you would want to experience.
It's streets give a vivid picture of a mixture of people that covers the Rainbow Nations spectrum of Cape Dutch Homesteads, traditional dancers with tribal backgrounds and the smell of spice filled Malay cooking all creating a cocktail of cultures as you walk around. It is a true feast of your senses.
It was a city I had long wanted to visit and it really did not dissapoint.
We flew there from Base Camp via Heathrow on British Airways. It was a bumpy ( We experienced some bad turbulence over Central Africa) on a 12 hour overnight flight from Heathrow before we arrived in the Mother City in the early morning.
After that the adventure began.
Arriving Cape Town International Airport
The Airport is situated 20 km outside the city center, and many hotels will happily arrange airport transfers for you into the city. Otherwise you can hire a car, take a taxi or Uber cab. There is also the option of booking a ticket on the My Citi shuttle service which operates into the city.
Cruise Terminal
Cruise ships visiting Cape Town dock at the relatively new E Berth in Duncan Dock . Its ideally situated and within walking distance of Cape Town City center and the impressive Victoria and Alfred Waterfront.
Accommodation Recommendation
This hotel is situated in the colourful Bo-Kaap district of the city and is in easy walking distance of the busy Bree Street and Long Street areas. The hotel also provides a free regular shuttle to the popular tourist hotspot at the V&A Waterfront.
So this was our base for the 8 days in Cape Town, it was a excellent hotel, with a friendly staff who really did assist you with advice and with booking restaurants or attractions.
The rooms were a decent size with good modern amenities. It also afforded some good views of Table Mountain and had a small pool which was a sun trap during the day.
Hotel Pool
Our room
View from hotel.
Saftey
This tends to be one of the first questions many people asked me about Cape Town. I would say that like any city in the world use your own common sense don't put yourself in situations your not comfortable with. We for example were able to safely walk from the hotel to both Bree Street and Long Street where many popular restaurants and bars are situated. However its sensible if your going from one part of the city to another then use a taxi, both registered metered cabs and Uber were safe and available. During the day there is also the convenient option of useing the Hop on Hop Off bus that had a couple of routes covering Cape Town and surrounding area including all the top sites.
Things to see and do.
Tabel Mountain
Possible the most famous attractions in the city is its natural backdrop. Now it dominates the skyline from all around the city but due to the unique geography and its proximity to the ocean very quickly it can develop what the locals call a tablecloth, Clouds !! So its not always possible to go up to the top. Its worth pointing out that the mountain and surrounding area is in fact a National Park due to some of the unique vegetation that grows there. If its open you can access the summit in 2 ways, one being the traditional method, Walk Up... there are a few trails that you can follow up to the top there is also the option of a local guided walk up where you can learn about the plants and history of the park. The second way to the top is the easy route ......
by Cable Car. However be prepared very long queues develop at the bottom even before it opens so factor this in to your planning. The base of the cabel car is also a visitor center and is in itself well up the mountain but there is a road up to that point and it is a stop on the hop on hop off bus.
Yours truly at Table Mountain
Poseing on top
Cabel car from the visitor center.
Robben IslandThis now notorious island was where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his 27 years in prison. The island itself is 7 km off the coast of Cape Town and you can visit. Its now a World UNESCO site and you access it via prebooked tours that leave from thee port at the V&A Waterfront. Top tip, to access the island you can book online or at the terminal however you need to be in possession of Photographic Identification ( Passport etc) to get on the ferry, no ID then ticket or not your are not allowed on. So remember to bring your ID.
Once on the island your guided around the prison by ex inmates, its quiet a experience and listening to them speak this really was a grim place.
On a more positive note the wildlife around the place was good and it gives you some brilliant views and picture opportunities back towards Cape Town.
The gates to the prison on Robben Island
Guide and ex inmate of Robben Island
Dormitory within the prison
Nelson Mandela's cell in the prison
Rock quary inmates were made to work it by hand every day
Table Mountain and Cape Town from Robben Island
Logistics Manager on the island
Kirstenbosch
This world famous Botanical Garden is situated on the southern slopes of Tabel Mountain, it is home to some unique unusual and beautiful local plants. It also has a tree walk where as well as a different view of the garden and its vegetation you get up close with some of the local wildlife.
Worth a visit, and is another stop on the Hop on Hop off bus.
Kirstenbosch
Logistics Manager on the tree walk
Some of the unique plants at Kirstenbosch
Bird of Paradise in Kirstenbosch
Signal Hill
This is another Hill top overlooking Cape Town, you can infact drive up to the top, it also has something in common with Edinburgh ...... ? It has a Noon Gun that blasts out each day at 12 midday, similar to Edinburgh's One o'clock gun. Its another popular view point of the city.
Bo-Kaap District
This colourful district on a hill next to central Cape Town is worth a visit, it was formerly known as the Malay Quarter as its where the Cape's Malay people original lived in the city. The Nurul Islam Mosque founded in 1844 is located in this very colourful district which is full of cobbled streets and brightly painted houses. There is a walking tour available that explains the history of the district and its inhabitants.
Bright coloured streets of the Bo-Kaap district
Logistics Manager outside one of the colourful homes.
Camps Bay
This white sands Bay is very popular with the locals, it has many good bars and restaurants and a fantastic beach. It is also a great spot to watch the sunset, and of course enjoy a South African wine whilst doing so.
Walking on the beach at Camps Bay
Simon's TownThis is now basically a suburb of Cape Town itself, it has a long naval history and was the main base of the British Royal Navy when South Africa was under British rule and the Royal Navy remained there after the country gained independence, however now it is the largest base of the South African Navy. It was the connection that made it a interesting stop for us as Christine's father who had a long career in the Royal Navy was stationed there for a short period. The town has some interesting homestead architecture and is worth a visit on its own, there is also some good beaches close by. It also has the Maratime Museum to visit. The local harbour is also a good point to join boat trips out to see some of the local wildlife such as seals, sharks, dolphins and whale's.
Simon's Town
Logistics Manager at Simon's Town Harbour with the Naval Base in the background.
Walking along the nearby beach.
Shark Spotters office !!
Some of the locals having a nap.
Boulders Beach
This is one of the best spots to experience some of the Cape Peninsula more amusing local inhabitants.
Its Penguins , yes South Africa has Penguins !! This beach is a breading site for these fantastic birds, it is a protected area so there is a small charge to enter but it's worth it to see these birds in there natural habitat.
Happy Feet on Boulders Beach
It was great to see them entering and leaving the sea.
Trying to get a selfie with a Penguin is not easy !!
More Penguins on the beach.
Cape of Good Hope
The best way to visit this iconic spot is to take a Cape Peninsula tour, there are a number of options to do this all of which can be prebooked with a number of agencies working at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. As it was we arranged a private tour with assistance from our hotel Concierge. This allowed us to cover not only this spot but a number of others and is something well worth considering.
So Cape of Good Hope, is within the Cape Peninsula National Park and is in fact not the southern most point of the Peninsula, however it is a world renowned landmark. Its a rugged spot on the coastline that really has to be visited to get that special photograph.
The Park is also home to some of countries wildlife and on the single track road towards the Cape of Good Hope we were forced to stop the car to allow one of these "locals" a Ostrich to cross the road, which was a bit different.
Picture for the album
Ostrich
Cape Point Lighthouse
This lighthouse is in the South East of the Cape Peninsula and gives some great views out to sea where historically many ships came unstuck as they navigated these waters. The area is also where you come across a more opportunistic local inhabitant ? The baboons....
Be warned these guys love a bite to eat, now there is a local cafe in the car park which has a couple of unusual employees, basically baboons scariers who try usually unsuccessful to stop these skilled thieves stealing your lunch....
The lighthouse itself sits high up on the rocks, its a walk up there but once there affords some good pictures.
Cape Point Lighthouse
View from the lighthouse
View from lighthouse showing path up to it and coastline
Logistics Manager climbing to the top
A local says hallo
Yours truly at the sign post next to the lighthouse
Baboon looking for its next victim !!
Cape Winelands Tour
If you enjoy wine you will love this tour. HOWEVER even if your not a wine lover I would advise you to still consider this trip. Why ? Well this is a stunning area of the Cape to see with its lush hillsides and vineyards to its fertile valleys. It really is worth seeing.
Its two main towns are Stellenbosch & Franschhoek. Stellenbosch is a University town and the larger of the two, however in my opinion its the picturesque Franschhoek with its Cape Dutch classic architecture that is the real beauty to enjoy. In Franschhoek, there are a number of great restaurants to enjoy and also a few boutique hotels if you want to spend some time here.
Then of course there is the opportunity to visit one of the many vineyards that are everywhere in this location. One unusual way to tour these is on the Wine Tram. This old world tram has two routes that cover a number of the vineyards and allows you to hop off wherever you decide.
We did a private tour of the area with a local guide that included 3 wine tasting at different vineyards including the stunning Mont Rochelle and Delaire Graff. The tour also included lunch and lasted a full day it is strongly recommended, great day out. We found our guide by useing a site I have recommended previously Toursbylocals.com
Logistics Manager at Mont Rochelle
Cape Vinelands
Wine Tasting
Wine waiting to be bottled
Logistics Manger deciding what to sample
At La Motte Vineyard
Walking tour of Central Cape Town
There are a number of these available some of them are even free, they normally start on Long Street and then take you around some of the more interesting sites, which give you a flavour of the history of the city, from the first Dutch settlers to British rule and the more darker apartheid era. It also then focuses on the birth of the rainbow nation and the release of Nelson Mandela.
Its a interesting informative walk and gives you a feel for the city, you can then return to some of the places and explore deeper on your own.
Street Market Cape Town
Central Cape Town
Mandela mural
Grand Parade Cape Town from where Mandela addressed the crowd on visit to Cape Town
Company House in The Company Garden
Plaque marking apartheid history
Another apartheid relic, the notorious White and Non White Benches
Controversial Cecil Rhodes statue within Company Gardens
Logistics Manager in the Company Garden
Company Garden with Table Top Mountain in the background
Company Garden
Where to eat and drink
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront
The V&A Waterfront is Cape Towns toursist showpiece, where both locals and tourists gather to eat, drink, shop and socialise. This is the now fully renovated and restored site of the old Cape Town port. It winds its way around the port and has a host of bars, restaurants, craft shops, museums and a large shopping center to keep you busy. Its also where many boat tours leave from and this area really is a social hub.
V&A Waterfront at night.
I do have some recommendations here from our visit;
Mozambik
This was a restaurant I really enjoyed, some different items on the menu but if you like your food with spice you will like this, got the thumbs up from me.
Great restaurant at the V&A Waterfront
Silo Hotel Cocktail Bar
This very stylish hotel is built inside a old grain silo, part of it is a rooftop Cocktail Bar, great drinks with some equally good views, give it a try.
Views from Silo Hotel Cocktail Bar
Ferryman's Tavern
Traditional British style pub with a South African beat, good pub grub and at night decent music can get busy but again worth a visit.
Live music at the Ferryman's Tavern
Long Street and Bree Street.
These two streets are in the center of the city and both are home to a number of good bars restaurants and shops. Long Street runs the full length of the city and has a busy bohemian atmosphere. Both streets are worth a visit at night there is Street security deployed so give it a visit and enjoy the large choice of establishment's.
Long Street
I do have some recommendations so here they are;
Tiger Milk Bar
This bar is on Long Street and as well as drinks it has some decent priced pub food. Its also has a number of large screen tv's that show European live sports including football.
Quirky beer pumps in Tiger Milk Bar
Beerhouse
The name says it all this large bar has a very large selection of different beers, including local brews. It also offers a beer clock taster where you get 12 beers to try at a set price. There is also food menu to complement the beer. Grab a beer and sit out on the first floor balcony terrace and watch the world go past on Long Street.
The Beerhouse on Long Street
Logistics Manager on the Beerhouse Balcony
Beerclock taster.
Chefs Warehouse & Canteen
If you like good food then you will love this excellent small restaurant on Bree Street. It only has a few tables, so you may have to book ahead. However do yourself a favour and reserve a table if you do you won't be disappointed. The menu changes each day, it is a tapas style 8 dishes served in 3 courses. They also have some great wines to complement the food.
Sample menu from Chefs Warehouse & Canteen
Hope you enjoyed the blog, if so please share on your social media accounts, and in the meantime I will spin the globe and see where my travels take us next please keep following.
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