THE WESTERN CAPE
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CAPE TOWN
This city is like no other. It is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world, where towering mountains and bright white beaches lie within the city’s limits; and every street is peppered with incredible restaurants, artisan cafés, organic farmer’s markets or stylish boutiques.
Cape Town can get very busy, but it’s easy enough to get off the tourist track and see the city’s authentic personality and charm. Visit Table Mountain, hike up Lion’s Head for the best 360° views of the city, go on an off-road mountain bike trail, or just sit back and relax on one of the city’s many breath-taking beaches! A trip around the Cape of Good Hope (the peninsula) and its beaches, sights and small towns is not to be missed, and the world-famous vineyards of Stellenbosch and Franschoek are just a 40-minute drive from town.
After you’ve soaked up the Afro-European culture of Cape Town city, visit the Garden Route for your fix of wild natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and peace and quiet.
THE WINELANDS
The Cape winelands offer an unforgettable experience for any wine-loving traveller! Said to rival the beauty of the South of France and Napa Valley, the Cape’s winelands are home to dozens of historic and modern wine farms, and personalized tours can be created around the specific wine varieties that take your fancy.
Franschoek is also considered the food capital of South Africa, and exceptional world-class restaurants, cafés, and bakeries are found everywhere you look. Many of the older estates offer a window into the history of the winelands and the first settlers, and tranquil garden picnics can be enjoyed in their beautiful grounds.
HERMANUS
KNYSNA
Knysna is well-known for its elusive Knysna Elephants and its annual Oyster Festival, held every July. The bustling town has grown in popularity and draws crowds of people to its beautiful indigenous forests and walking trails each summer.
Enjoy fishing trips or boat cruises on the lagoon, fantastic seafood restaurants, and a vibey small-town atmosphere; or simply enjoy some beach time on the blue-flag-rated Buffels Bay beach. Between Knysna and the Tsitsikamma National Park is the popular, upmarket vacation resort of Plettenberg Bay. Stay here to enjoy the year-round vacation feel and visit the nearby hiking trails in Nature’s Valley.
LITTLE KAROO
OUDTSHOORN is the ostrich-farming capital of the world, and is also home to the magnificent Cango Caves – where you’ll find some of the biggest stalagmite formations on Earth. Oudtshoorn is a few hours’ drive along the scenic “Route 66” from Cape Town, and is where ostrich farming first began in the 1880s. To this day, the town produces meat and feathers for the international market.
PRINCE ALBERT is where time stands still. Traverse the phenomenal Swartberg Pass – considered one of the most impressive mountain passes in the world – from Oudtshoorn to reach this charming Little Karoo town, where the main street is dotted with many coffee shops, an art gallery and even a theatre. The beauty of Prince Albert, however, is really its peace and quiet. Explore its many hiking trails, go star-gazing under the crystal clear (unpolluted) skies, or enjoy a fynbos foraging experience followed by a half-day cooking course.
TSITSIKAMMA NATIONAL PARK
ADDO ELEPHANT PARK
The Addo area is a fantastic place to visit at the start, or the end, of your Garden Route adventure. It offers a Big 5 experience, as well as peace and tranquility in the Zeerberg Mountains, just north of the park. Flights to Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban depart regularly from Port Elizabeth’s Walmer Airport.
