Cape Town is a place where old and
new harmoniously converge - in history, architecture, cultural pursuits
and the essence of its people.
Warmed by the African sun, the city is dominated by a towering,
table-shaped mountain, set on a peninsula of soaring, rocky heights and
lush valleys, where two oceans converge - Indian and Atlantic. The city
is also famous for the "table cloth" of cloud that rolls over Table
Mountain. Seeing it in real life is on many people's Top Ten Things to
do in their Lifetime.
Cape Town offers a myriad of things to do and places to see, whatever your
tastes, inclinations or budget. Immense natural beauty and the fast pace
and bright lights of a great urban centre meld effortlessly. And don't
forget those gorgeous beaches!
Colourful Bo-Kaap, a popular district in the centre of the city
Paragliding over the Mother City
One of Cape Town’s pristine white beaches
Cape Town’s Music
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront with a backdrop of
Table Mountain
MINI PROJECTS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cape Town (‘Kaapstad’ in Afrikaans, and ‘iKapa’ in Xhosa) is the third most
populated city in South Africa, forming part of the metropolitan municipality
of the City of Cape Town. It is the provincial capital of the Western Cape
as well as the legislative capital of South Africa, where National
Parliament and many government offices are located.
Cape Town is famous for its harbour as well as its natural settings in the
Cape floral kingdom, including well-known landmarks such as Table Mountain
and Cape Point. It has been regarded as one of the world’s most beautiful
cities and the most popular destination for tourism!
The city has a population of 2.95 million. Cape Town's land area of 2,499 sq
km (965 sq mi)
is larger than other South African cities, resulting in a comparatively
lower population density of 1,158 people per sq km (2,999/sq mi).
South Africa is a multi-lingual country and until recently the two
'official' languages were English and Afrikaans. The majority of people in
Cape Town are English-speaking, but even the Afrikaners can speak English,
because English is a required subject at school. Similarly, most
English-speakers in South Africa can speak Afrikaans. [Afrikaans is like a
cross between Dutch and German.]
Climate
The Cape Peninsula has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. Summer temperatures are mild, with an average maximum of about 26°C (79°F).
Winter lasts from May to September. The months are cool, with an average minimum temperature of 7°C
(45°F). Most of the city’s annual rainfall occurs in wintertime, but due to
the mountainous topography of the city, rainfall amounts for certain areas
can vary dramatically. The
Peninsula gets frequent strong South-Easterly winds, locally known as the
‘Cape Doctor’, because it blows away pollution and cleans the air!
SOME OF THE MANY ATTRACTIONS IN CAPE TOWN
Table Mountain - The top of Table Mountain offers
spectacular views in all directions and gives a birds eye view of the city.
The upper cable car station is situated at 1,067 metres and the revolving
cablecar makes sure that your trip up and down gives you a good look in all
directions. Everyone climbs the mountain!
Beaches - Cape Town has some of the best beaches in the
world to offer, so if you're a sand-and-sea lover be sure to take some time
out to relax and soak up the sun. From the family beaches on the False Bay
coastline to the trendy Clifton beaches on the Atlantic Seaboard - you're
sure to find a stretch of sand that suits your fancy. For
some photos of one of Cape Town's beautiful beaches and a delightful story
of the day the whales came into False Bay beach, please
Click here
V&A Waterfront - For shopping, dining and entertainment
the V&A Waterfront is a hotspot for tourists and locals alike. Still a
working harbour, the Waterfront is an example of creative architecture and
restoration and has become South Africa's most visited tourist attraction.
Enjoy a drink at one of the many waterside pubs and restaurants, shop till
you drop, or relax and enjoy the variety of live entertainment that is
always on offer. There are also a number of harbour cruises and sundowner
cruises that depart from the Waterfront.
Robben Island - 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. Daily tours to the island
include the ferry trip there and back, an island tour and a tour of the
prison with a former political prisoner as your guide. Allow three and a half
hours for the trip (this includes the 1/2 hour ferry trip each way) and book
in advance. Ferries leave at regular intervals throughout the day from the
Clock Tower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront.
Arts & Culture -
With a huge array of not-to-be-missed drama, music, African markets etc,
Cape Town definitely provides a full cultural experience. The many
backpacker’s lodges and tourist information centres dotted around the city
will gladly help you with giving updated “What’s on” news for the Cape area.
It’s a good bet that you will find all of these in the city’s famous ‘Long
Street’, as well as the Good Hope Centre & other venues. Just ask
around…Cape Town folk are VERY friendly!!
Cape Point At the tip of the Cape Peninsula you will
find Cape Point within the Cape Peninsula National Park. The treacherous
cliffs forming the most southwestern tip of Africa are some of the highest
in the world and mark the spot where the cold Benguela current on the West
coast and the warm Agulhus current on the East coast merge. 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. Take a scenic drive, stop at one of
the many picnic spots and tidal pools and travel to the Lighthouse lookout
by funicular or on foot for spectacular views.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - 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. Fynbos, proteas, cycads and rolling lawns
are intermingled with streams and ponds and well-laid out pathways for easy
walking. A great variety of birds inhabit the gardens and the sweeping views
from the upper slopes are spectacular. Whether for a casual stroll, a more
strenuous walk or a lazy picnic, the gardens are a must-see when visiting
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 love the penguins and their antics and Boulders Beach
is also worth a stop for safe and enjoyable swimming.
Castle of Good Hope - Constructed between 1666 and
1679, the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa and has
been exceptionally well preserved. Inside the walls of the pentagonal castle
you will find a combination of cultural and military history dating back to
the arrival of Jan van Riebeeck to the Cape in 1652. Guided tours will
introduce you to the dungeons, the dolphin pool and the blacksmith. The
Castle is open daily from 9am to 4pm. The Key Ceremony takes place on
weekdays at 10 am and the Change of Guards at 12 o'clock.
Rhodes Memorial, which nestles at the base of Devil's
Peak, provides spectacular views towards both Table Bay and False Bay and
the Hottentots Holland mountains in the far distance. A visit is worthwhile
if only for the panoramic views - at the same time stop for breakfast, lunch
or afternoon tea at the popular outdoor tea-room.
ACTIVITIES IN CAPE TOWN
Adrenaline Activities
- Enjoy exciting and “real” adventures with an adrenaline twist!
Abseiling
Sandboarding
Deep-sea
Angling
‘Kloofing’
(insanely jumping off very high cliffs into pools of water!)
Paragliding
Helicopter
flips
Bungee jumping
(just up the coast)
…..and a LOT,
LOT more!!!!
Township
Tours - A visit to one of the many townships surrounding the city is an
experience that will open your eyes to the way in which the biggest portion
of Cape Town's population are living. Despite difficult circumstances and
poor living conditions, you will experience the vibrancy and spirit of the
South African people. Take a township tour of Langa, the oldest township in
South Africa or Khayelitsha, the second largest township in South Africa.
Township tours will usually be co-led by a resident in the area, showcase
local industry and community projects and include a visit to a township bar
or 'shebeen'.
Two Oceans Aquarium - Located in the V&A Waterfront, the Two
Oceans Aquarium makes for a fascinating and exciting visit for the whole
family. Offering a variety of display tanks, interactive experiences, a
touch pool and the highly popular predators tank.
Cape
Winelands - Wine lover or not, a visit to the Cape Winelands is an absolute
must as the region is one of breathtaking vistas and majestic mountain
backdrops while being steeped in rich culture and history. Rolling vineyards
and quaint Cape Dutch homesteads await you, as well as award-wining wine
farms offering some of the country's best wines.
Relaxing drives:
Drives are a very popular leisure activity in South Africa, because the
roads are generally wide, in good condition, relatively empty and a pleasure
to drive on. People often go for drives on a Sunday afternoon to a favourite
hotel or restaurant for afternoon tea and scones, or to the top of a pass
just to look at the view, or to a national park to watch the baboons -
there's always a good reason to go for a drive!
World of Birds - 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.
Cape Town was originally developed as a rest stop for Dutch ships sailing to
Eastern Africa, India and the Far East more than 200 years before the
construction of the Suez Canal in 1869. Jan van Riebeek’s arrival on 6 April
1652 established the first European settlement in South Africa. The city
quickly outgrew its original purpose as the first European outpost at the Castle
of Good Hope and was the largest city until the growth of Johannesburg and
Durban.
In February 1990 President de Klerk announced the
unbanning of the ANC and the release of Nelson Mandela. This led to a
negotiation for 'a new and just constitution' for South Africa. It was the end
of apartheid. After 27 years in jail, Mandela walked free on the 11th February
and that evening spoke to a huge crowd that had gathered in the centre of Cape
Town.
Because Cape Town had always opposed apartheid, it
'evolved' without trauma into the new South Africa. It retained a sense of
stability and enjoyed unprecedented development, driven by tourism, boding well
for the future. Tourism fuelled development of the city, led by the V&A
Waterfront area. A theme park, casino and convention centre followed. Numerous
hotels opened and shopping centres expanded. More museums and cultural tours and
events helped the city to celebrate its rich diversity.
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