If you visit only one place in South Africa, make it Cape Town. Sheltered beneath the familiar shape of Table Mountain, this historic city is instantly recognizable, and few cities in the world possess its beauty and style. The city boasts historic buildings, interesting museums, shopping malls, restaurants, jazz cafes, theatres and nightclubs while along the pristine coastline there are excellent surfing beaches, charming vineyards and the spectacular Cape of Good Hope, 70km south of the city.

The city lies at the northern end of the Cape Peninsula, a 75-km (44-mi) tail of mountains that hangs down from the tip of Africa, ending at the Cape of Good Hope. Drive 15 minutes in any direction and you may lose yourself in a stunning landscape of 18th-century Cape Dutch manors, historic wineries, and white-sand beaches backed by sheer mountains. Francis Drake wasn't exaggerating when he said this was "the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth," and he would have little cause to change his opinion today.

The city has often been likened to San Francisco, but Cape Town has what San Francisco can never have -- its spectacular mountain. Table Mountain is key to Cape Town's identity. It dominates the city in a way that is difficult to comprehend until you visit. In the afternoon, when creeping fingers of clouds spill over the mountain and reach toward the city, the whole town seems to shiver and hold its breath. Depending on which side of the mountain you live, it even dictates when the sun will rise and set.

You will be spoiled for choice as regards activities: climb Table Mountain and hike its trails; abseil down it; go sailing, shop. There are numerous daytrips and tours available:
Cape Point – take the scenic route along the False Bay coast, passing the quaint fishing village of Kalk Bay where you can buy fresh snoek straight from the boats. Stop at the naval harbour of Simonstown and visit the penguin colony at Boulders Beach before continuing on to Cape Point. Don’t feed the baboons!

The Wine Route – make sure you’ve got a designated driver who doesn’t drink because after a day spent sampling fine wines near Stellenbosch or Franschhoek, their help will be very much needed.
Robben Island and the Waterfront – the shopping malls, restaurants and places of interest at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront are Cape Town’s top tourist attraction. A visit to Robben Island to see where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned is a must.

Table Mountain – take the revolving cable car to the top and spend some time admiring the panoramic views. Better still, make a day of it and hike up one of the established routes, then watch the sunset before catching the cableway down.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – don’t rush a visit to these beautiful gardens, famous around the world for its floral displays, proteas and rare species of plant that have been saved from extinction. Time your visit right and catch a summer sunset concert.

Hout Bay – Visit the World of Birds, the largest bird park in Africa. Take a boat trip to Seal Island. Have fish and chips for lunch at Mariners Wharf.

Aquila Private Game Reserve – come and see lions in a scenic setting just 90 minutes drive from the city.

Township tour – discover the multicultural side to Cape Town life by visiting Langa, Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Nyanga and Crossroads.

Accommodation runs the gamut of styles and budgets in Cape Town from economical lodges through stylish boutique hotels and large resorts. You will find one to suit and be surprised at the reasonable costs. Dining out is a way of life here and you will find many excellent restaurants.

Diving:

Diving is nothing short of superb. You have the opportunity here to dive the meeting place of two oceans and this makes for excitement.
Cape Town Sites:
Justin’s Caves: A series of caves. Entrances are filled with the most beautiful coloured knobbly anemones, goose barnacles and feather worms.

The Antipolis Wreck (1977)
This 25 000 ton Greek Oil Tanker sank during a storm on 29 July 1977. She was being towed with the Romelia when the cable snapped and they both became victims of the Cape of Storms.Max Depth 12 metres.

Clifton Rocks Clifton Rocks gives you the whole Caribbean feeling! With the beach just 100 metres away, big boulders and lots of African sun, it’s a divers dream! Filled with soft sponge, nudibranch, starfish, crayfish, cape rock grab, anemones and breath taking swim throughs.

Castle Rock
Castle rock is probably the best dive site in False Bay. Almost guaranteed on every dive is the company of a Red Roman fish. Flat rocks are covered with the green cape see grass which gives a beautiful contrast to the red, blue, orange, yellow anemones.

The Clan Stuart Wreck (1914) This British turret steamer went ashore at Glencairn beach at 02h00 on the 21st of November 1914. She dragged her anchors during a southeaster and met her fate. The night left her broken up with only the steam engine block pointing out, which can still be seen today. This is a very nice beginners wreck dive with the occasional seal swimming around.

Partridge Point
Characterised by amazing crevasses, caves swim throughs and overhangs. Definitely one of the popular dive sites with all the marine life present. A colony of seals has made their home close by and might just pop in for a bit of an investigation.

Two Oceans Aquarium
Dive in the Predator Exhibit of the Two Ocean’s Aquarium and experience a close encounter with 5 Ragged Tooth Sharks, turtles, gully sharks and other predator fish. The Exhibit contains 2 million litres of water and is 5m deep. Perfect dive conditions all year round!



Shark Alley
Between the islands of Geyser Rock and Dyer Island is a narrow and shallow channel called Shark Alley – reputed to be the world’s best place for Great White shark cage diving. Due to the resident seal colonies in the area, Shark Alley has been dubbed “the supermarket for sharks”. A short boat ride from Gansbaai, Shark Alley is ideal for those who wish to experience the thrill of getting up close and personal with these giant predators.

Seal Island:
Off the coast of Simon’s Town in False Bay lies Seal Island, a sanctuary for the Cape fur seal, and thus an ideal hunting ground for the seal’s biggest predator, the Great White shark. Witness the natural predations of these massive creatures as they leap clean out of the water in chase of their prey. Sharks breaching is a spectacular sight to behold – one not easily forgotten. From April to September are the best months for experiencing these predations, as the seals are plentiful. During the winter months however, the Great White sharks disperse as they hunt for other prey.

Aquilas Current - Cape Point:

From October to May each year the warm Aguilhas current sweeps along the east coast of South Africa bringing in its wake clear blue water teeming with aquatic life. Bird life is also abundant. A number of pelagic birds can be seen; including terns, shearwaters, petrels and penguins as well as the possibility of seeing up to six different species of albatross.

However, below the surface is where all the action is. Whales, dolphins, large Yellowfin tuna and their smaller relatives, the Longfin tuna are a spectacular sight to behold, but it’s the blue water predators, the magnificent Mako and Blue sharks – the real aim of this expedition - that are the true stars of the show. See them in all their glory, be it from the surface of the boat or face-to-face in the water.

Getting There:
South African Airways (SAA) (020 7312 5000; Website flies to Cape Town four times a week. British Airways (0845 779 9977; Website flies daily from London Heathrow to Cape Town. Virgin (01293 747 747; Website flies direct from Heathrow to Cape Town twice a week. The flight takes 11 hours and 30 minutes.

WHEN TO GO Accommodation is expensive and hard to find during the December to January tourist influx. Also avoid the September to November gales. Time your visit to fit with the creatures you wish to see.

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Fantastic location for an adventurous holiday. The cost of living is incredibly low and your holiday will represent very good value. Some of the townships are not safe - take advice before venturing out of the centre.

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