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Enjoy Nature
Table Mountain
This is a must do! The views from up there are indescribably breathtaking. But make sure you go on a clear day, as the cable car does not operate if there is a cloud cover. You can also walk up if you are feeling energetic...
After you have taken a stroll along the “table top” you can sit down and enjoy a meal at the self-service restaurant, or you can go abseiling or just watch the adrenaline junkies have fun - this is the highest commercial abseil in the world at 112 meters.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Address: Rhodes Drive, Constantia
Tel: 021 799 8899
This spectacular Botanical Garden is world-renowned for the beauty and diversity of the Cape flora it displays and for the magnificence of its setting against the eastern slopes of Table Mountain.
Kirstenbosch grows only indigenous South African plants. The estate covers 528 hectares and supports a diverse fynbos flora and natural forest. The cultivated garden spanning 36 hectares displays collections of South African plants. There is one of the most impressive cycad collections in South Africa, and was first collection of plants to be established in Kirstenbosch.
Take a casual stroll along the well laid out pathways and admire the fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns intermingled with streams and ponds, or take a more strenuous walk up one of the many hiking trails that lead onto the back-end of Table Mountain. Guided tours are available around the gardens and there is also a Braille Trail for the blind and a scented garden where aromatic plants are grown. The Gardens also house a restaurant, self-service area, tea room and curio shop where you can pick some fantastic memorabilia.
On Sundays during the summer months December to March musical sunset concerts are held on the lawns from 5.30pm. The music is very diverse, ranging from African music to string quartets to opera singers. We have included a play-list for the 2004/2005 season for your information.
This is perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon...you can bring along a picnic or just some snacks and drinks.
Cape Town and its surrounds offer excellent opportunities for bird watching enthusiasts. The Cape’s birdlife is rich and varied with over 300 species having been recorded in the region including 60 of South Africa’s 86 endemic species.
Recommended spots are Cape Peninsula National Park, Rondevlei Nature Reserve Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, and Milnerton Lagoon. There are a number of specialist bird guiding tours operating from Cape Town. For any birding questions or enquiries about tours contact us on (021) 434 3364.
Whale Watching
From July to December whales congregate around the Cape coast to mate and give birth, after travelling from their feeding grounds in the Antarctic. The most commonly seen species is the Southern Right Whale, although a number of other species including the Humpback and Bryde’s also make an appearance.
One of the best land-based whale viewing spots is in Hermanus about 1½ hours drive from Cape Town along the N2. This is a delightful seaside town which makes a great day trip. During September there is the annual Whale Festival where there are organized events, exhibitions, talks and flea markets. Whale viewing tours to Hermanus can be arranged for you. Please speak to one of our consultants.
If you’re wanting to catch a glimpse of these majestic creatures around Cape Town, the best spots are in False Bay from Fishoek, Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, in Hout Bay or even along the Atlantic seaboard where they are often seen frolicking in the waters off Camps Bay.
Shark Diving
Please see Extreme Activities for more details.
The Penguins
Boulders Beach is nestled in a sheltered cove between Simon's Town and Cape Point, and has become world famous for its thriving colony of African Penguins and magnificent wind sheltered, safe beaches.
It is set in the midst of a residential area and has a spot for sunbathing (water temperatures are those of the Indian Ocean) and a spot where the Penguins can be observed from elevated board walks at close range on their own little protected beach, Foxy Beach.
If you go for a dip at Boulders you may be lucky enough to observe a Penguin from really close as they tend to float around in close proximity to the swimmers, not feeling threatened in the least. This is quite a fascinating experience.
Cape Point
Cruises
Tel: +27 (0)21 424 3353
Take a 30 minute harbour cruise around the V&A Waterfront where a guide will give you as much information as he possibly can in ½ hour. The tours run at regular intervals from Quay 5 so you won't have to wait for long to jump aboard.
Alternatively enjoy a sunset Champaign cruise on a sailing boat which will take you out the harbour onto the open Sea, heading towards Clifton or Table View. Here you will sip sparkling wine while you enjoy magnificent views of Cape Town and surrounds, and watch the sun go down over the horizon. The peace and tranquility of the ocean at night will leave you with a memory never to be forgotten.
Hot Air Ballooning
Tel: +27 (0)21 424 3353
Ballooning in the winelands offers a unique adventure in the beautiful area of the Boland, about an hours drive from Cape Town. Hot-air balloon flights take place in the scenic Berg River Valley, outside of Paarl in the direction to Malmesbury.
Enjoy the wonderful feeling of freedom floating through the sky as slow as a cloud and as free as a bird. As the balloon is completely dependent on the wind and its direction, you never know where you will go. There will be a retrieval vehicle that follows on the ground and after approximately an hour's flight they will meet you at the landing. Then they pack the balloon back onto the trailer and return to Paarl where the Grande Roche Hotel has a delicious breakfast buffet waiting for you.
As Balloon flying is weather dependent they do not fly in strong winds, rain and hot weather. The flights also start very early (meeting is at 5am) before thermal activity starts.