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Cape Town |
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DESTINATION INFORMATION
Cape Town, South Africa's legislative capital, is at the foot of Table Mountain, the flat-topped mountain with views out across the peninsula to the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
The main hub is the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, the beautifully restored old Victorian harbour with free entertainment, a wide variety of shops, museums - including the excellent Two Oceans Aquarium - taverns and restaurants. Boat trips leave from here to the notorious Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela and many other nationalist leaders were imprisoned.
The relics of early colonial government are centred on Government Avenue, with many fine old buildings and museums, including the Parliament Buildings, the Cultural History Museum, the National Museum and the National Gallery.
Nightlife is concentrated in the V&A Waterfront, Sea Point, and parts of the central business district around Long Street. The Cape-Dutch homestead of Spier (a winery and cheetah sanctuary in Stellenbosch) and Ratanga Junction theme park both offer a variety of entertainment from classical to jazz concerts.
One of the highlights of a trip to Cape Town is to visit Langa Township, which has a growing population of over 70,000. An organised tour will take you through the four different types of development, whilst learning the community's history and culture. In addition to visiting some of the buildings and organisations within the community, you will visit St Louis Primary School who often invite visitors to a short concert, and the visit will end with lunch at Sheila's Cafe. This tour is always a highlight of many of our group's itineraries.
There really is so much to see. Look at the What To Do table below for more ideas.
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WHAT TO DO
- Table Mountain ~ On a clear day, ride the cable car to the top for stunning views of Cape Town and Table Bay.
- Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens ~ Approximately 6,000 species of Southern Africa's flora are on display.
- V&A Waterfront ~ Bars, restaurants and activities for all ages.
- Robben Island ~ Infamous prison where Nelson Mandela spent many years as a political prisoner.
- Castle of Good Hope ~ Oldest building in South Africa displaying cultural and military history.
- Bo-Kaap ~ the home of the Islamic Cape Malay people, confusingly of mainly Indonesian origin.
- Two Oceans Aquarium ~ Marine life from the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, located on the Waterfront.
- Langa Township Tour ~ One of the most memorable features of the majority of our sports tours, and certainly a highlight!
- District Six Museum ~ In 1867, District Six was established as a mixed community of freed slaves, merchants, artisans, labourers and immigrants, a vibrant centre with close links to the city and the port. However, from the beginning of the 20th century, inhabitants were forcibly 'resettled', and finally, in 1966, District Six was declared a white area. 60,000 people had been forcibly removed to barren outlying areas aptly known as the Cape Flats, and their houses flattened by bulldozers. Aiming to achieve World Heritage status, this excellent museum, established in 1994, works with the memories of these experiences, as well as with the history of forced removals generally.
- Cape Peninsula Tour ~ Travel to Cape Point, Hout Bay, Jackass Penguin Colony and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, then home via Fish Hoek and Simon's Town.
- West Coast Ostrich Ranch ~ Includes a visit to the display room, breeding enclosures and the leather factory.
- Groot Constantia Estate ~ The Cape's oldest vineyard and fine Cape Dutch homestead.
- Blouberg, Muizenberg and Noordhouk beaches ~ for wonderful views and surfing.
- Century City and Canal Walk ~ for extensive leisure entertainment, dining and shopping.
Restaurant suggestions:
- The Butcher Shop & Grill ~ Chose your own meat and look forward to the best steaks in town!
- The Africa Cafe, Cape Town ~ A cultural dining experience, including 'drumming' and an authentic traditional menu.
- Tuscany by the Beach, Camp's Bay ~
- Quay 4 ~ Serving seafood
- St Elmo's and Primi Piatti ~ for pizza and pasta
- Bukhara ~ for Indian food
- Sports Cafe ~ typical American-style food, with all the usual favourites.
- The Green Dolphin
- Ferryman's
- The Spur ~ Chain of restaurants all over the country, serving steaks, chicken, ribs, etc.
- Nando's ~ Chicken
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