The impressive presence of Table Mountain, flanked by the legendary Devil's Peak and historical Signal Hill, stands proudly above the city. Beautiful white sandy beaches along a peaceful coastline frame the Cape Peninsula, which is famed for its unique floral kingdom, bountiful rivers, vleis and dams and magnificent countryside. The surrounding area extends far into the winelands, green in summer and red-gold in autumn.
The Cape Peninsula provides a setting for many scenic wonders, magnificent seascapes and panoramic vistas. The beautiful coastal areas of Camps Bay, Clifton, Llandudno, Bantry Bay, Hout Bay and Blouberg surround the breathtaking tranquility of the winelands, Constantia, Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franshhoek.
Tourist Attractions:
- Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Cape Town
The beautiful Kirstenbosch gardens cover an area of 528 hectares with 36 hectares of cultivated garden. The gardens are a celebration of South African flora - showcasing only indigenous South African plants.
On Sundays during the summer months from November to April, musical sunset concerts are held on the lawns from 5:30 - 6:30.
www.sanbi.org/frames/kirstfram.htm - Table Mountain Cableway, Cape Town
The best views of Cape Town are seen from the top of Table Mountain. The Cableway takes you to the summit in under 10 minutes and the cable car's rotating floor ensure that all passengers get a 360 degree aerial view.
www.tablemountain.net - Cape Point & Table Mountain National Park, Cape Town
At the tip of the Cape Peninsula you will find Cape Point within the Table Mountain National Park. The expansive Table Mountain National Park stretches from Signal Hill and Table Mountain in the north to Cape Point in the south and encompasses the seas and coastline of the peninsula. Inside the reserve you will find a variety of animals including buck, baboons and Cape Mountain Zebra as well as over 250 species of birds and indigenous flora that is found nowhere else in the world.
www.capepoint.co.za - Boulders Penguin Colony, Cape Town
Boulders Penguin Colony is home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African Penguin. Wooden walkways allow visitors to view the penguins in their natural habitat and there is also a new information centre. Children will love the penguins and their antics and Boulders Beach is also worth a stop for safe and enjoyable swimming.
www.tmnp.co.za - World of Birds, Cape Town
The World of Birds in Hout Bay is a bird and wildlife sanctuary with over 3000 birds in natural surroundings. Visitors are able to walk through the aviaries and experience close-up encounters with cranes and guineafowl, monkeys and meerkats, owls and eagles. The sanctuary also cares for injured birds and is a breeding centre for threatened species. Great for kids.
www.worldofbirds.org.za - Wine Routes
Cape Winelands is the largest wine producing region in the Western Cape. With a selection of over 200 cellars to choose from, you are guaranteed to taste some of the finest wines in the world.
www.tourismcapetown.co.za - Robben Island, Cape Town
The famous Robben Island, whose prison was once home to former South African president Nelson Mandela as well as many other black political freedom fighters, is now a World Heritage Site and provides stunning views across the bay with Table Mountain as its backdrop. A trip to the island is an unforgettable experience and offers a glimpse into the life and times of the apartheid era.
www.robben-island.org.za
