Cape Town holidays - travel guide - activities & sights

This is often the high spot of any holiday in this region. The magnificent Southern right whales are the most frequently seen whales within False Bay. These wonderful creatures use the extreme coastal waters of the south western Cape coast , including False Bay, as calving and nursery grounds and can be seen just metres from the shore. They start arriving at the end of May and remain until the end of November. Peak month is October. Although approaching whales from boats within 300 metres is prohibited in South Africa, many land-based vantage points provide excellent views of southern right whales.

Only a short distance from the city is the winelands region, one of the most picturesque areas of the Western Cape. There are three major wine routes, most passing through the quaint and historical towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, which will give you a great opportunity to appreciate the Cape's history and traditions while at the same time being surrounded by spectacular landscapes of vineyards hugging hills and valleys. The best way to appreciate the winelands is by car where you can explore at your own pace, or by the many winelands tours which have been designed to help you enjoy yourself to the full in the Cape Winelands. You can learn as you taste on wine tours conducted by real experts who will be able to answer all your questions and assist you in finding just the right wines to take back with you. The heady mix of gorgeous scenery, gourmet meals and some of the best wines in the world makes a winelands tour an unforgettable experience.

Cape Town offers gorgeous Atlantic and Indian Ocean beaches ranging from white sands to rocky coves. For glamour, head for Clifton's sandy bays lined with stylish bars perfect for sipping cocktails and watching sunsets. Other beaches include pine-fringed Camps Bay, the surfing paradise of Llandudno, and Blouberg with its Table Mountain vistas. To the east lies Plettenberg Bay, with two idyllic sandy beaches. Robberg is perfect for whale spotting, whilst Lookout commands amazing views.

The mountain is sculpted from sandstone and is 1086 metres above the bay. Its flat summit measures nearly 3km from end to end and is home to approximately 1470 species of plants. Many of these appear nowhere else on earth. Included is the rare Silver Tree and the wild orchid Disa Uniflora. On the summit there is a restaurant and a souvenir shop, from which you can send letters bearing the Table Mountain postmark. But one of the best things about Table Top mountain is getting to the top. The exhilarating ascent to the top is an absolute must for any visitor and is rewarded with breathtaking views over the city and its beaches. The panorama stretches from Table Bay to False Bay and around the mountain to the Hout Bay Valley and Kommetjie. On a clear day you'll get a magnificent view across the Cape Flats to the Hottentots Holland Mountains.

On the road to the Cape of Good Hope you'll find the fascinating Boulders Beach Penguin Sanctuary. It's a breeding ground for the local species of jackass penguins who are extremely friendly and very curious, so you can get VERY up close and personal with the birds. An amazing experience!!

Running east from Cape Town, this spectacular drive is a traditional favourite of visitors. The first stretch, encompassing the coastal road to Hermanus, offers stunning coastal landscapes and the chance for some breathtaking land-based whale watching (May-Nov). From here, the route continues to Knysna, a picturesque town on a beautiful lagoon, where you can take a ferry to the local Featherbed Nature Reserve. A short journey inland brings you to the ostrich-farming centre of Oudsthoorn and the magical Cango Caves, filled with incredible stalagmites and stalactites. At the eastern end of the route lies Plettenberg Bay, a delightful town with fabulous sandy beaches and wonderful nature reserves.