Discover the Cape

Today you'll arrive in Cape Town. There are three different accommodation options to choose from in our Cape Town attractions module. Each is centrally located and only about 25 minutes from the airport. After you've had a chance to freshen up in the guest house, you'll have the entire afternoon to have a look around Cape Town. 

The Waterfront is a wonderful place to have a drink and enjoy the view. There are also countless bars, restaurants and a nice shopping mall nearby. If the weather is clear, you can even see Table Mountain from here; an incredible view. You'll also find Two Oceans Aquarium here. This is an impressive aquarium with hundreds of different types of fish as well as seals, penguins, sea horses and enormous sharks. You could spend the entire day here and then go out for a bit to eat before heading back to the guest house. 

Today, you might enjoy getting to know more about Cape Town's attractions while enjoying breathtaking views. 

Robben Island: Today you can visit the prison where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years for opposing the Apartheid regime. Tickets are sold at the clock tower and the boat ride will take 45 minutes (if you're prone to sea sickness, you may want to take a pill for nausea). Once you arrive on the island, you'll receive a guided tour by an ex-inmate of Robben Island, sure to be a highlight of your South Africa trip.

Tip: these Cape Town attractions are quite popular and are quickly fully booked in peak travel season (December - January and July - August). That's why we suggest you book this excursion right after your arrival in Cape Town. The trips are weather-dependent but if your departure is delayed or cancelled your money will be returned. 

Table Mountain: After a very unique visit to Cape Town's Robben Island, it's time to visit one of the most famous mountains in the world and Cape Town's main attraction. Along with Mount Everest this is probably one of the most written about peaks in the world. It's somewhat easier to climb than Everest though - in about 2 hours you'll be at the top of the mountain. For those who don't feel like trekking to the summit, there's a cable car with a 360 degree rotating carriage that will whisk you to the top in just a few minutes. Once you reach the top, you'll be able to enjoy a view unlike any other. Sometimes you may be out of luck if the cloud cover appears. This mist covers the top of the mountain is locally referred to as the 'table cloth'. 

After this, you could grab a cocktail at cosmopolitan Camps Bay. This beach is located behind the Table Mountain's 'Lion's Head' and the 'Twelve Apostles'. With its many palm trees, beautiful beaches and happening restaurants, Camps Bay has been a favourite amongst Cape Town visitors for years and is definately worth a visit or two on your South Africa trip.

Cape of Good Hope: Next on your Cape Town attractions tour you'll drive on to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve where you'll reach the most south-western part of the African continent. There are several places to picnic in the park where you'll be surrounded by sea and mountains. Be aware of the baboons walking around the reserve, before you know it they will have stolen your lunch.... Once you reach the most south-western point, you'll have an opportunity to climb the top of the mountain in about 1.5 hour. A little further down in the park lies Cape Point; here you can take The Flying Dutchman railway up to the top and you'll get some amazing views. 

Boulders Beach: the last major stop along the Chapman's Peak Drive excursion is Boulders Beach at Simon's Town; a true penguin beach. Walk across wooden boards onto this beach where you'll sea entire colonies of penguins waddling by. These penguins are also known as the Jackass penguins. There are more than 3000 penguins to be seen in this area.

After this long, yet impressive day visiting Cape Town attractions, it's great to relax and unwind in the guest house pool before preparing for a lovely dinner. We suggest having dinner at 'Mama Africa' on Long Street where there's live music after dinner each evening. We really enjoyed the atmosphere in the restaurant and the menu is very diverse; you could even eat spring bock, kudu or crocodile... A great place to try real South African cuisine on your Cape Town holiday. Be sure to make reservations though, this restaurant is usually booked full.
Would you rather see the sights with a guide? You can also book this Cape Town attraction tour: Penguins and the Cape Peninsula.