Welcome to DesBNet - Cape Town

No. of Visits 2 - Last Visited 2002

General

Cape Town and it's surroundings are a great place to visit. There is a wealth of fascinating attractions and beautiful scenery within a short distance of the City centre, though to fully appreciate what this area has to offer, it would be wise to hire a car and explore for a few days. With the current favourable rate of exchange, everything is extremely cheap compared to the U.K. at the moment, which makes this a prime time to visit. Accommodation, Food, Drink, Clothing, in fact almost everything, is less than ½ the price you would normally pay in the U.K.

Geography

Situated close to the most southerly tip of the African Continent, Cape Town is dominated by the backdrop of Table Mountain. To the south of the City, the Cape Peninsula beckons with it's rugged coastline interrupted by a number of small picturesque towns & resorts. The lower portion - encompassing the Cape of Good Hope - is a National Park. Nearby, to the east of Cape Town are the Wine Lands, which have become synonymous with the good quality, affordable wines produced in South Africa.

Climate

Warm & Sunny for the most part, the weather in this region is also changeable, and can be quite breezy, so it would be advisable to pack appropriate garments to suit.

Climate Chart for Cape Town (Averages)
January to June
January			February			March			April			May			June
Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain
26	11	25	26	10	0	25	9	25	22	7	51	19	6	76	18	6	76
July to December
July			August			September			October			November			December
Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain	Temp	Sun	Rain
17	6	76	18	6	76	18	7	51	21	9	25	23	10	25	24	11	0
KEY:- Temp = Temperature in ° Celsius Sun = Hours of Sunshine per Day Rain = Monthly Rainfall in mm
This chart is produced as a GUIDE ONLY. Further information should be obtained from a recognisable source.

History

The first European circumnavigation of the "Cape of Storms" was in the 15th Century by the Dutch explorer Bartholomew Dias. Vasco Da Gama soon followed suit, and a trade route soon flourished under the jurisdiction of the Dutch East India Company. During this early period, bloody battles took place with the local Khoi tribesmen. In the 16th C. a successful British campaign began in Muizenberg and travelled north to Cape Town. Since then, the territory has been fashioned by a number of key individuals, leaving their unique marks on both the City, and the Nation as a whole. The names of Cecil John Rhodes, Jan Smuts, and latterly Nelson Mandela have all been instrumental in making Cape Town what it is today. The World's first Heart By-pass operation was performed by Dr. Christian Barnard the Groote Schuur Hospital in the suburbs of Cape Town.

Language & Culture

English is widely spoken, along with Afrikaans. Since Nelson Mandela's well documented release from Robben Island prison, the nation has taken great strides in it's pursuit of harmony, and can be proud of the achievements accomplished in such a short space of time.

Accommodation

Many International Hotel chains have properties available in Cape Town & the surrounding areas, and there are some outstanding independent Hotels available too. One of the Premiere addresses on offer is The Mount Nelson Hotel - a member of the Leading Hotels of the World group. Mid-range & Budget hotels are plentiful, and are of a very comfortable standard. Guest Houses are a popular alternative, as too are Self-Catering Apartments.

Sight Seeing

There are many things to do both within, and a short distance away from the City. Towards the Cape Peninsula, within a stones throw of Cape Town are The Rhodes Memorial, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, & the Groot Constantia Estate, all not to be missed. En-route to The Cape are some beautiful seaside towns, offering boat trips to both Seal Island, & Whale-Watching excursions. Just past Simonstown is Boulders, with a huge Penguin Colony - well worth the stop. A slow drive through the National Park located at the foot of the peninsular is rewarded by the opportunity to admire a wonderful landscape. The Cape of Good Hope, and Cape Point offer outstanding viewpoints. The Coastal Road (N6) from Cape Town to Fish Hoek passes through the resorts of Sea Point & Camps Bay, past "The Twelve Apostles", Llandudno Bay, and on towards Hout Bay. From thereon begins "Chapman's Peak Drive" - a thrilling drive alongside the Atlantic Ocean to Chapman's Peak. East of Cape Town are - as previously mentioned - "The Wine Lands" incorporating the areas of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschoek, & Robertson. Some Vineyards offer guided tours, tastings, and sales. The West Coast Ostrich Ranch is about a 20 minute drive North of the City, and should also be included in any Itinery. If you do venture in the direction of Stellenbosch, a great lunch stop would be the Spier Estate (on the R310), where you can have a nice Picnic by the Lake, and visit the Cheetah Centre & also their Raptor (Birds of Prey) Centre. The City itself boasts some fine examples of colonial architecture, and a Castle, along with a number of Museums, Gardens, & Galleries. The monolith of Table Mountain provides a great Arial viewing platform of the City and it's coastline. The Cable Car ride to the top, though not cheap, is well worthy of it's price.

Beaches

The resorts of Sea Point & Camp's Bay are all within easy reach of Cape Town, and are popular bathing spots. Hout Bay, Llandudno Bay, St. James, Long Beach, & Seaforth are also recognised as being safe for bathing.

Local Transport

Taxis abound, and are a very cheap way of getting around. There are 2 types of Bus on offer, the Large City Busses, and the smaller Mini-Bus type. Having said that, Car Hire is inexpensive here, and you would be wise to base your Itinery around this option.

Night Life

Apart from at the redeveloped Waterfront Area, there did not seem to be too many "Watering Holes" attractive to the average tourist.

Restaurants

All tastes - and pockets - are catered for here. Seafood is, obviously, at the top of most menus. The Waterfront area has a choice of over 35 different eateries, all of a very high standard, including Greek, Italian, Seafood, Mexican, American, and a Hard Rock Cafe. Steak Houses are abundant, and offer wide menus, including HUGE Steaks, at very affordable prices. A wonderful "Carvery" style Sunday Lunch can be enjoyed at the Mount Nelson Hotel, as well as their renowned Afternoon Teas. Generally, the Wine Lists on offer in the restaurants, are of an impressively high standard, though less than ½ the price you would pay in a supermarket here for EXACTLY the same wine! Further afield, there are also some excellent eateries around the Stellenbosch area, including the highly rated "96 Winery Road".

Shopping

In addition to the impressive Waterfront Complex, which should sate any Shopaholics appetite, The City Centre itself has a great deal to offer. The Woolworth's brand is markedly different here than from the rest of the World, being of a very high quality, and is widely recognised as being the South African's equivalent to Marks & Spencer! Best Buys include African Curios, Clothing, Food, and especially the local Wines! There are also a number of "Out of Town" Shopping Malls within easy reach of Cape Town.

Car Hire

All major rental firms have outlets at the Airport, City Centre, as well as in some Hotels. Rates are extremely good value, especially if hiring for 7 days of more. Driving is easy in S.A., and the rental of a car allows you the freedom to explore this beautiful area.

Getting There

Included in most Major Airlines schedules, Cape Town International Airport is well organized, and has many internal connecting flights from both Jo'burg, Durban, & Port Elizabeth. If not hiring a car at the airport, transfers to & from the airport are best either booked in advance through your Hotel, or take a taxi (Cost - about ZAR 120).