Considering a trip to Cape Town? If so, I highly recommend it! Here is a guide of everything you need to know before your visit to Cape Town.
GETTING AROUND
We decided to hire a car for our trip, since we knew that we wanted to drive around a bit, and not just stick to the city. This worked out great for our day trips, since we could move at our own pace. If you don’t want to drive around inside the city, taxis are easily available. Get the phone number of a reputable taxi company from your hotel front desk, and use that rather than flagging down potentially unlicensed taxis.
WHERE TO STAY
After a fair bit of research into where to stay in Cape Town, we decided on Blackheath Lodge. This adorable boutique hotel was one of the many highlights of our trip. The staff could not have been more helpful or friendly, and had great recommendations on things to do and places to eat. Little touches like unlimited tea throughout the day and a local mobile phone for you to carry around made our stay extra special.
THINGS TO DO
Go up Table mountain:
Table mountain is probably the most famous landmark of Cape Town, and with good reason. The flat topped mountain offers amazing views of the city and the surrounding areas. There is a cable car that takes you to the top, but if you are feeling adventurous you can always climb the mountain the old fashioned way. Remember to check the weather before you go, since the cable car is not operational when there it is too windy.
Walk amongst the trees at Kirstenbosch gardens:
Enjoy a leisurely stroll at your own pace through the lovely botanical gardens at Kirstenbosch, or take a guided tour. Either way don’t miss the tree canopy walkway which has some amazing views.
Go to Robben Island:
In my opinion, there is no better way to understand the political history of South Africa than by going to Robben Island. The tours of the cells are led by former political prisoners who give a first hand account of what went on there. In addition, there is also a bus tour of the important spots on the island such as the church and the limestone quarry.
Learn all about Cheetahs:
These beautiful creatures are sadly endangered in the wild. However, the lovely people at the Cheetah Outreach are raising awareness within the community by using cheetah ambassadors. Not only do you get to learn about the amazing conservation efforts, you can also get up close and person with them!
Enjoy the local cuisine at Africa Cafe
One of my favourite things about travelling is trying out different types of food. At Africa Cafe, I was able to sample a wide variety of delicious African food. Their wide variety of vegetarian options was very much appreciated.
See the Penguins at Boulders beach:
A short drive from the city leads you to a beach full of penguins. What more can you ask for? Walk on the boardwalks to get some close up views of the penguin colonies. Just remember to respect their space!
Walk up to the lighthouse at Cape Point
Once you are done admiring the penguins, continue South along the coast to Cape Point. The Cape of Good Hope (a much nicer name than the former one of Cape of Storms), is the Southern most point of the continent. It was worth climbing the name steps to the base of the lighthouse to see the point where the Indian and the Atlantic oceans meet. However, if climbing uphill doesn’t sound like your idea of fun, you can take the Flying Dutchman Funicular instead.
SAFETY IN CAPE TOWN
One of the main concerns that travellers have when considering going to Cape Town is safety. Cape Town is considered to be one of the safest cities to travel in South Africa. However, basic precautions can go a long way in making sure you stay safe. Split up your cash in multiple places and only carry the amount you need for that day. Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instinct. If something doesn’t seem right, move away. Don’t flash expensive belongings like your camera or phone. Don’t walk alone at night. But when sticking to touristy places during the day, especially with a lot of people around, you should be perfectly fine.
Pin this post for later
Leave a Reply