Cape Dutch Farmstead
False Bay
pictures: s.a.tourism
V & A Waterfront
pictures: s.a.tourism
pictures: s.a.tourism
Blessed with wildlife, natural beauty and some of the most magnificent scenery, imaginable, it is not
hard to see why Cape Town and the Western Cape have been described as heaven at the tip of Africa.
Warm welcoming people, a rich diversity of arts, culture, music, a buzzing nightlife, excellent wines and superb cuisine makes the Western
Cape an awe-inspiring destination.
There are many powerful attractions: a near-perfect Mediterranean climate, exquisite landscapes, spectacular beaches, the grandeur of Table Mountain, the exuberant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront development around a working harbour, fine hotels and a vast amount of eating and drinking places.There is a lively and entertaining calendar of arts, and an enchanting Wineland and mountain neighbourhood.
hard to see why Cape Town and the Western Cape have been described as heaven at the tip of Africa.
Warm welcoming people, a rich diversity of arts, culture, music, a buzzing nightlife, excellent wines and superb cuisine makes the Western
Cape an awe-inspiring destination.
There are many powerful attractions: a near-perfect Mediterranean climate, exquisite landscapes, spectacular beaches, the grandeur of Table Mountain, the exuberant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront development around a working harbour, fine hotels and a vast amount of eating and drinking places.There is a lively and entertaining calendar of arts, and an enchanting Wineland and mountain neighbourhood.
pictures: s.a.tourism
pictures: s.a.tourism
Table Mountain Cable Car
Overberg Wheatfields
Kirstenbosch
pictures: s.a.tourism
The Overberg
While the early settlers were confined to their original natural boundaries, anything over the mountain was the unknown:- referred to as 'over the mountain' which came to be known as the Overberg region, which has beautiful villages which are centred around the fishing industry.
Whale watching is enjoyed during the season when Southern Right whales come close in shore to calve.
There is a large apple growing industry, flowing grain fields framed by majestic mountains forming picturesque scenery.
While the early settlers were confined to their original natural boundaries, anything over the mountain was the unknown:- referred to as 'over the mountain' which came to be known as the Overberg region, which has beautiful villages which are centred around the fishing industry.
Whale watching is enjoyed during the season when Southern Right whales come close in shore to calve.
There is a large apple growing industry, flowing grain fields framed by majestic mountains forming picturesque scenery.
The West Coast
The west coast is semi-arid and has a temperate climate, with wet cold winters. Here you can find solitude, if you wish, on deserted beaches and the delight of small fishing villages.The area is a windsurfer's paradise.
The beautiful flowers in the season approximately at the end of July to the end of September form a blaze of colour.
The Langebaan Lagoon and surrounding wetland is bird-watching hot spot in the summer months as is Saldanha bay, the Berg River mouth,
Rocher Pan Nature reserve and Lamberts Bay.
The west coast is semi-arid and has a temperate climate, with wet cold winters. Here you can find solitude, if you wish, on deserted beaches and the delight of small fishing villages.The area is a windsurfer's paradise.
The beautiful flowers in the season approximately at the end of July to the end of September form a blaze of colour.
The Langebaan Lagoon and surrounding wetland is bird-watching hot spot in the summer months as is Saldanha bay, the Berg River mouth,
Rocher Pan Nature reserve and Lamberts Bay.
Copyright: African-Experiences 2007.
Some Cape Town Attractions.
* Dutch-built Castle of Good Hope
* Company’s Garden
* District Six Museum
* Houses of Parliament and the South African National Gallery
* A boat trip to Robben Island where former President Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in jail.
* Table Mountain is a popular site for visitors and provides the majestic backdrop to the vibrant and friendly Mother City. It can be reached by an ultra-modern cableway.
* Newlands is home to the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and the famous rugby stadium.
* At Cape Point, part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, there are many drives, walks, picnic spots and a licensed restaurant. This is the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The Chapman's Peak drive is recommended for wonderful scenery.
* Hout Bay is well-known for its colourful working harbour. Seafood outlets, round-the-bay trips to the nearby seal island, and a famous harbour-front emporium attract many visitors.
* The Wine Route outside Cape Town offers the chance to taste first-class wines in arguably the most beautiful winelands in the world. Superb accommodation is available in historic towns such as Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek, as well as on many estates and farms.
* Dutch-built Castle of Good Hope
* Company’s Garden
* District Six Museum
* Houses of Parliament and the South African National Gallery
* A boat trip to Robben Island where former President Nelson Mandela spent most of his 27 years in jail.
* Table Mountain is a popular site for visitors and provides the majestic backdrop to the vibrant and friendly Mother City. It can be reached by an ultra-modern cableway.
* Newlands is home to the world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, and the famous rugby stadium.
* At Cape Point, part of the Cape Peninsula National Park, there are many drives, walks, picnic spots and a licensed restaurant. This is the point where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. The Chapman's Peak drive is recommended for wonderful scenery.
* Hout Bay is well-known for its colourful working harbour. Seafood outlets, round-the-bay trips to the nearby seal island, and a famous harbour-front emporium attract many visitors.
* The Wine Route outside Cape Town offers the chance to taste first-class wines in arguably the most beautiful winelands in the world. Superb accommodation is available in historic towns such as Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek, as well as on many estates and farms.
The Cedarberg
A hiker's paradise, only three hours drive from Cape Town, yet with a sense of remoteness in the harsh mountain landscape. There are stunning rock formations, with many caves and ledges where you may discover rock paintings which may not have been seen for millenia.
There is solitude to be found in these mountains, a place of spiritual retreat.
A hiker's paradise, only three hours drive from Cape Town, yet with a sense of remoteness in the harsh mountain landscape. There are stunning rock formations, with many caves and ledges where you may discover rock paintings which may not have been seen for millenia.
There is solitude to be found in these mountains, a place of spiritual retreat.
To the north and east are the Cape Flats; a low, sandy flat land that once, not too long ago on the geophysical timetable, lay beneath the sea. The shifting dunes proved a formidable obstacle to early Dutch colonists on their way inland, but the sands were eventually stabilised and are now heavily populated.
Alongside suburbia on the Cape flats thousands live in shacks. The majority of Cape Town's black people are migrants from the Eastern Cape (Transkei area), looking for a better life and a way of feeding their families back home.
Yet there has been progress - many of the shacks now have electricity. Visitors are shocked, but tourism and volunteers contribute much to the economic and social development. Beyond Sir Lowry's pass lie hills, vineyards, orchards and lush pastures of the famed Cape Winelands.
Alongside suburbia on the Cape flats thousands live in shacks. The majority of Cape Town's black people are migrants from the Eastern Cape (Transkei area), looking for a better life and a way of feeding their families back home.
Yet there has been progress - many of the shacks now have electricity. Visitors are shocked, but tourism and volunteers contribute much to the economic and social development. Beyond Sir Lowry's pass lie hills, vineyards, orchards and lush pastures of the famed Cape Winelands.
Western Cape & Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is known as 'The Mother City'. The modern history of South Africa began in 1652, when Dutch East India Company commander, Jan Van Riebeeck landed to set up a replenishment station for ships en route to the far east. It was from here, that further developments took place.
Within 30 years farms were being established in the Western Cape, augmented by the arrival of the French Huguenots a century later, who were given sanctuary here from religious persecution . With them came not only their faith, but the root stock and skills which established the Winelands.
Cape Town enjoys a setting which is only rivalled by Rio de Janeiro. The city nestles between the dominant Table Mountain and the blue waters of Table Bay, it is a modern, cosmopolitan and stylishly attractive metropolis of graceful thoroughfares, handsome buildings and glittering shops. Cape Town has become one of the world's premier tourist destinations. Cape Town as a destination serves well as a gateway to the Western Cape.
Cape Town is known as 'The Mother City'. The modern history of South Africa began in 1652, when Dutch East India Company commander, Jan Van Riebeeck landed to set up a replenishment station for ships en route to the far east. It was from here, that further developments took place.
Within 30 years farms were being established in the Western Cape, augmented by the arrival of the French Huguenots a century later, who were given sanctuary here from religious persecution . With them came not only their faith, but the root stock and skills which established the Winelands.
Cape Town enjoys a setting which is only rivalled by Rio de Janeiro. The city nestles between the dominant Table Mountain and the blue waters of Table Bay, it is a modern, cosmopolitan and stylishly attractive metropolis of graceful thoroughfares, handsome buildings and glittering shops. Cape Town has become one of the world's premier tourist destinations. Cape Town as a destination serves well as a gateway to the Western Cape.
Much of the Peninsula is a green-mantled sandstone plateau that reaches its most spectacular heights in the great bulk of Table Mountain itself. Two distinctively-shaped features; Devil's Peak and Lion's Head, stand sentry to either side of the mountain. Defining the plateau's western rim is a series of imposing buttresses known as the Twelve Apostles. The shoreline is an eye-pleasing combination of bay and white sanded beaches, high cliffs and secluded coves. The area has been declared a National Park and falls within the Cape Floral Region. Places to see are: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, Chapman's Peak Drive, Long Beach, Scarborough and Boulders.
The world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is the largest of South Africa's eight National Botanical Gardens and is considered one of the 'Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the World.It contains a unique collection of southern African plants and includes many rare and endangered species. Kirstenbosch was the first major botanical garden in the world to be devoted to indigenous plants.
The world-renowned Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is the largest of South Africa's eight National Botanical Gardens and is considered one of the 'Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the World.It contains a unique collection of southern African plants and includes many rare and endangered species. Kirstenbosch was the first major botanical garden in the world to be devoted to indigenous plants.
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