Scenic highlights
Overshadowed by dramatic Table Mountain and washed by the Atlantic, Cape Town is one of the world’s most picturesque cities. Sample fine wine in the tranquil winelands, then explore the country towns, lagoons and forests along the pretty Garden Route. The Wild Coast boasts isolated beaches, rocky coastline and traditional rural villages, and the resorts along the KwaZulu-Natal coast offer lots of family seaside fun.

Inland are the intriguing and moving battlefield sites that lay testament to the Anglo-Boer war. Here too rise the Drakensberg Mountains where vultures ride on the thermals over deeply green valleys and jagged peaks.

Classic safari country
The winning combination of fascinating wildlife and excellent lodges staffed by highly professional guides makes South Africa the perfect destination for safari enthusiasts. In the northeast is the Kruger National Park where the thorny bush harbours the ‘Big Five’ (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino) as well as many other animals and birds. There’s more game-rich wilderness to explore further west, in Limpopo and North West provinces.

History and culture
South Africa has a vivid history. Apartheid was broken down in 1990 by President FW De Klerk, and jailed ANC leader Nelson Mandela was released after 27 years of imprisonment. In the first democratic elections to be held in South Africa, Mandela became president in 1994. The story is told in the excellent museums in Johannesburg, by far the most vibrant of the country’s cities with a rich cultural heritage.

Apartheid activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu named the newly integrated South Africa the ‘Rainbow Nation’ – a fitting name for a country with 11 official languages and people of all colours, races and creeds, living in a vividly coloured and sculpted landscape.

Information by http://www.worldtravelguide.net

This is the land of baobabs, fever trees, knob thorns, marula and mopane trees underneath which lurk the Big Five, the Little Five (buffalo weaver, elephant shrew, leopard tortoise, ant lion and rhino beetle), the birding Big Six (ground hornbill, kori bustard, lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, pel’s fishing owl and saddle-bill stork) and more species of mammals than any other African Game Reserve.

The Kruger Park is a self-drive destination, although there are guided tour operators, with an excellent infrastructure that includes picnic sites, rest camps, waterholes and hides. The Kruger Park is a remarkable reserve offering an incredible experience of Africa at its most wild. (SeeKruger Park Tours for overnight and package tours lasting from 1 night and 2 days to weeks long safaris or see Kruger Park Day Tours for single day guided trips into Kruger National Park.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com

Four regions make it easier for you to select the type of experience you want from your time in the Kruger National Park.

Encompassing only 30% of the kruger park’s surface area, the central region supports nearly half the park’s lion population as well as numbers of leopard, hyena and cheetah. Possibly the main reason for this is the quantity of sweet grasses and abundant browsing trees found in this area that support a large group of antelope, giraffe, buffalo, zebra and wildebeest. But this does mean that it’s a popular region amongst tourists, and subsequently there are a number of camps in this region. It’s understandable though, as the chance of sighting even one of the 60 prides of lion that make the central region their home is a huge draw card.

THE FAR NORTH REGION
This is a rather fascinating part of the Kruger National Park, not least because the ecozones here are noticeably different from other habitats in the Kruger. Sightings of rare birdlife and major areas of sand formed by river flood plains, combined with sandstone formations of the Mozambique coastal plain, make it attractive to visitors. There are also a number of tropical aspects as part of the region lies in a rain shadow and along the banks of the Luvuvhu River is a series of riverine forest. A picnic site on the river bank provides hours of splendid bird viewing.

What you can witness in this part of the Kruger National Park is extraordinary – the knocking sand frog, a collection of bats, the nocturnal bushpig and the rare Sharpe’s grysbok. There are samango monkeys, packs of endangered wild dog, and the major water pans across the Wambiya sandveld are a good place to sight tropical warm-water fish, such as the rainbow killifish, not found anywhere else in South Africa. The sandstone hills, just west of Punda Maria, is the only place where you can see the Natal red hare and yellow-spotted rock dassie, or hyrax. What makes a visit to this remote part of the Kruger park so meaningful is the solitude.

THE NORTHERN REGION
North of the Orange River is a semi-arid region covering 7 000 square kilometres that sees very little rain. Vegetation here changes very little from the unvarying shrub mopane, which thrives in hot, low-lying valleys. However, across this great expanse of hot dryness, five rivers forge their way, providing narrow corridors along whose banks grow trees distinctly different from the mopane – the nyala, the sycamore fig, the tamboti and the tall apple leaf. The Letaba and Olifants rivers contain as much as 60% of the Kruger park’s hippo population, and bird life here abounds. There are plenty of bushpig in the undergrowth of the Luvuvhu River and on most of the river banks you can hope to see sizeable herds of elephant (the Kruger National park’s latest estimate is as many as 9000 of these beautiful beasts), buffalo, bushbuck, impala and kudu concentrated near a water supply.

THE SOUTHERN REGION
Bounded by the Crocodile River in the south and the Sabie River in the north, the southern region is also host to the jagged ridge of the Lebombo Mountains along the border with Mozambique, and the highest point in the park, Khandzalive, in the southwestern corner – almost in counterpoint to Pretoriuskop that lies in the west of the southern region of the Kruger National Park.

The valleys are home to trees rarely found in other parts of the Kruger park, such as the Cape chestnut, coral tree and lavender fever-berry; and granite lies beneath most of the region, producing distinctive smoothed koppies at irregular intervals, which are typically surrounded by rock figs and form ideal locations for rock dassies or hyrax, baboon andklipspringer, not to mention the oddleopard.

This is the region where you’re almost sure of seeing a white rhino as most of them occur here, particularly around Pretoriuskop, Mbyamiti River and south of lower Sabie. On the whole, there is more game purported to exist in the southern part of the park, so if you don’t make it to the northern reaches of the Kruger National Park , you won’t miss out. This part of the Kruger park is to some extent shrouded in history. Around Pretoriuskop, known for its profusion of trees, is Ship Mountain, its hull-shape the site of an old wagon trail that crosses a stream marking the birthplace of Jock of the Bushveld. The combretum woodlands, also part of this region, attract reasonable herds of kudu, impala, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, white rhino and elephant, and the scarcity of lion in this part of the park, makes way for the cheetah and wild dog.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com

For those booked on a safari or into a private game lodge, regular game drives with an experienced ranger are part and parcel of your trip, and for those on self-drives through the Kruger National Park, Olifants, Mopani and Letaba restcamps provide night drives, whilst most of the restcamps offer early morning, mid-morning and sunset game drives. For the most part game drives last around 3 hours, and private lodges and game farms usually include a coffee break, breakfast or sundowners in the bush as part of the game drive experience.

BUSH WALKS
Nothing can possibly beat the heart stopping excitement of tracking rhino, elephant and lion on foot through the heat of the bush. But it’s also one of the most incredible ways to learn about the fragility of the ecosystems of the Kruger Park and to see the smaller, but in no way less exciting, animals and insects of the park like termites, spiders, snakes and plants that tend to be ignored when on the more fast paced game drives.

Bush walks can last up to four hours and stops are made to allow replenishment and a chance to take in the beauty of an area. In the Kruger Park it’s advisable to take your own snacks and sunscreen and most of the camps do morning and afternoon walks.

WILDERNESS TRAILS
There are a few incredible wilderness trails in the Kruger National Park, some in areas virtually untouched by humans, with names like Metsi-Metsi, Napi, Massingir and the Sweni Wilderness. Most of these trails are about 2 days with 3 overnights in rustic huts with basic ablution in reed-walled showers and flush toilets, but on the whole, they’re in such demand that they’re booked out way in advance. These are aimed at smaller groups than bush walks and one needs to have a reasonable level of fitness as one averages 20 kilometres a day, although this is at a leisurely pace.

THE LEBOMBO OVERLAND TRAIL
This incredible five-day ‘wilderness experience on wheels’ takes you from Crocodile Bridge to Pafuri, and deserves a mention here. It’s an eco trail that takes you along the eastern boundary of the Kruger National Park along the Lebombo hills (hence the name) from the extreme south to the farthest northern edge. A maximum of five vehicles, with four people in each – so as not to affect the environment adversely, undertakes the trail that covers 500 kilometres. It’s a self-drive eco trail – you man your own vehicle and cater for yourself – that crosses magnificent rivers and encompasses some of the most beautiful scenery in the park – wide, open spaces, bushveld and magnificent trees at their best. The trail overnights at Lower Sabie, Olifants and Shingwedzi restcamps. Experienced and professional guides will lead the trail and interpret the different eco zones and explain the terrain on this trail, rated as the best in southern Africa purely because of the rich diversity of fauna and flora en route.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com

PRIVATE, LUXURY GAME LODGES (CONCESSIONS)
Up until fairly recently the only accommodation in the Kruger was the government run rest camps. However, large tracts of untouched land have been leased, in a fairly unusual commercial move by the park, to private operators who have established lodges run in a similar way to the luxurious private reserves on the western boundary of Kruger National Park, like Sabi Sands and Timbavati. These private game lodges might still be bound by most of the rules of the Kruger park, but they offer incredible luxury, superbly guided game drives, and the freedom to move into the greater park area if desired, although there is more than enough to occupy you when staying here. These private game lodges offer a more intimate and exclusive experience of the vast Kruger Park.

The most celebrated of these luxury private concessions includes Buhala Game Lodge situated on the banks of the Crocodile River where the familiar call of the Fish eagle, gracefully thatched accommodation and breathtaking scenery are yours to enjoy.

Jock Safari Lodge has as its southern boundary the old wagon route from Delgoa Bay to the gold fields of the interior, and, true to the surrounding wilderness, offers romantic and elegant suites influenced by indigenous Zulu and Swazi cultures; whilst Pestana Kruger Lodge lies on the Nkomazi tourist route known as the wild frontier, with views over the Crocodile River, just 150 metres away from the Malelane Gate on the south side of the Kruger National Park.

THE PRIVATE GAME RESERVES
Flanking the western boundary of the Kruger National Park are a number of private game reserves. Though none of them fall within the park’s boundaries, together they form the heart of South Africa’s big game country and some of the most famous private lodges and the best wildlife viewing in the world take place here. The main reason for rich game viewing is the free movement of animals between the private reserves and the Kruger National Park – at least 100 kilometres of fencing has been removed, ridding the area of man-made borders. The private game reserves allow for vehicles to leave roads, and animals on the whole are more used to the presence of man so there’s a greater chance of seeing them. Private game reserves include Sabi Sands Game Reserve, which is home to the well-known lodges of Londolozi, Ulusaba and Lions Sands;Timbavati Game Reserve and Klaserie Game Reserves.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com

The way to the top has never been easy, and for many centuries only a handful of bold and enterprising people could say that they had climbed it.

By the late 1870’s, several of Cape Towns more prominent (and possibly less fit) citizens had suggested the introduction of a railway line to the top. Plans to implement a proposed rack railway got under way but the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer war put a halt to the plans. By 1912, with a strong desire to gain easy access to the top of Table Mountain, the Cape Town City Council commissioned an engineer to investigate the various options of transport to the top. The engineer, a Mr. H.M. Peter, suggested that a funicular railway running up from Oranjezicht through Platteklip gorge would be the most suitable option. A vote was held with the vast majority of Cape Town’s residents voting in favour. This in spite of its cost a staggering (in 1913) 100000 Pounds.

The Table Mountain project was delayed yet again by war; this time the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918). The plan was resuscitated in 1926 after a Norwegian engineer, Trygve Stromsoe, presented plans for a cableway to the top of Table Mountain. The plan caught the collective eye of a group of eminent local businessmen. The idea that an easy route up would finally become a reality drew them together, forming the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) to finance the construction. Work began soon afterwards and the project was finished relatively quickly. On the 4th of October 1929, the Mayor of Cape Town, Rev A J S Lewis, headed the official opening ceremony that was attended by over 200 other guests.

Since it’s opening in 1929, over 16 million people have taken the trip to the top of Table Mountain. The Table Mountain cableway has since become something of a landmark in Cape Town, and has carried some of Cape Town’s most illustrious visitors including King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Sting, Stefi Graf, Arnold Schwarzenneger, Magaret Thatcher, Prince Andrew, Micheal Schumacher, Brooke Shields, Micheal Buble, Tina Turner, Jackie Chan, Dolores O’Riordan, Skunk Anansie and Paul Oakenfold. In 1993, Dennis Hennessy, the son of one of the founders of TMACC sold the company. The new directors immediately set about planning an upgrade to the existing Table Mountain infrastructure.

Apart from upgrading the restaurants and machinery, new cars were purchased. Unlike their predecessors, the new cars, or Rotairs, have a revolving floor that allows passengers a 360-degree view of the city and Table Mountain as they travel. Work on the upgrade began in January of 1997 and, for several months cranes and large helicopters carrying building materials dominated the mountain skyline. The new cableway was officially opened on the 4th of October 1997, the anniversary of the original launch, almost 70 years previously.

The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company celebrated its 79th anniversary in 2008 and remains the most popular tourist attraction in Cape Town!

Table Mountain & Cableway, Cape Town

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 1067 metres and the revolving cablecar makes sure that your trip up and down gives you a good look in all directions.

Once on top you can follow paths to various look-outs, make use of the telescopes and enjoy a light meal or simply a sundowner drink in the restaurant. In summer, early evening is a great time to plan your trip as the sunsets are beautiful. Regardless of the weather, take a windbreaker as it can often be cool on the mountain top.

Information by http://www.tropicalisland.de , http://www.sa-venues.com

Birders from around the world come to experience both the great variety of typically African birds, migrants, and Endemic Birds. These birders enjoy excellent birding, whether they are with an organised commercial birding tour or are touring independently. Of the +/- 850 bird species recorded in South Africa, about 725 are resident or annual visitors, and 50 of these are endemic or near-endemic and can only be seen in South Africa. Apart from resident birds, South Africa hosts a number of intra-African migrants such as cuckoos and kingfishers, as well as birds from the Arctic, Europe, Central Asia, China and Antarctica during the year.
SOUTH AFRICA BIRDLIFE

South Africa’s Prime Birding Areas

Many of the hundreds of nature reserves and game reserves throughout South Africa provide excellent opportunities for bird watching. Facilities include trails, hides, information sheets and checklists, and trained bird guides. In some areas specific birding facilities have been established. The endemics and endangered bird species are one of the major attractions for birders visiting South Africa. Many of these endemic species are found in the grasslands, mountains, arid interior and southwestern regions. The following areas offer exceptional birding experiences but great birding can be had in many other parts of the country.

KWAZULU NATAL

The north-eastern part of KwaZulu Natal is one of the most species-rich areas of South Africa with a tropical feel and spectacular birds. Lush forests, marshes, freshwater lagoons, flooded grasslands, tidal estuaries and acacia woodland support an excellent array of birds. Specials of the area include Woodward’s Barbet, Palmnut Vulture, African Broadbill, Neergaard’s Sunbird, Rudd’s Apalis, Delegorgue’s Pigeon, Knysna Turaco, Livingstone’s Turacos and Southern Banded Snake Eagle.

Birding facilities are exceptionally well developed in this region. The Zululand Birding Route is centred on Eshowe. Dlinza Forest in Eshowe has a forest boardwalk that takes you into the canopy from there you can observe species such as Delegorgue’s Pigeon, Grey Cuckooshrike, Crowned Eagle and Spotted Ground Thrush.
WESTERN CAPE

The Western Cape is a much visited region with excellent birding and superlative scenery, the best whale-watching in the world and the possibility of seeing Great White Sharks. Apart from the pelagic trips which are good all year but best in winter, the Western Cape hosts a large number of endemics and the best wader watching in the country. The endemics include fynbos specials such as Orange-breasted Sunbird, Cape Sugarbird, Cape Siskin, Protea Seedeater and Hottentot Buttonquail. Cape Rockjumper is found on the craggy mountainsides. Knysna and Victoria’s Warblers can be seen in the damper valleys and a variety of larks in the dry interior.

The West Coast National Park (which includes the Langebaan Lagoon) attracts massive numbers of waders from their Arctic breeding grounds during the southern summer and is particularly important for the Curlew Sandpiper. The Langebaan Lagoon is surrounded by the strandveld where Black Harrier, Southern Black Korhaan and a variety of smaller birds such as Grey Tit, Cape Penduline Tit and Layard’s Titbabbler can be seen. Closer to Cape Town the Cape of Good Hope National Park offers excellent birding for species such as Hottentot Buttonquail and a variety of seabirds. The nearby Boulders Beach National Park at Simonstown has a flourishing African Penguin colony.
MPUMALANGA

The African Jacana

The Lowveld is the low-lying tropical region in the north-eastern part ofMpumalanga largely taken up by the famous Kruger National Park and is bordered in the west by Drakensberg escarpment. These low-lying bush areas are home to large populations of South Africa’s Wildlife and birds typical of suchSouth African Reserves.

Raptors occur here in good numbers including Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle, Brown Snake Eagle, African Hawk Eagle, Walhberg’s Eagle, Steppe Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle. Other large and noticeable birds include Saddlebilled Stork, Southern Ground Hornbill, Ostrich and Kori Bustard. Along the western edge of the Lowveld the escarpment supports many forest and cliff dwellers including Taita Falcon, Bat Hawk and Cape Parrot.

The Central Grasslands are a key area for birders holding a number of special grass- and wet- land species. One of the most visited towns is Wakkerstroom which is close to where Mpumalanga, the Free State and KwaZulu Natal Provinces meet. Wakkerstroom is visited by most of the birding tours that come to South Africa and as a result has excellenent birding facilities including resident tour guides.
GAUTENG

Even though Gauteng is the most heavily developed area in South Africa, Gauteng offers excellent birding. Around 350 different bird species can be seen within easy reach of Johannesburg and Pretoria, and a wide range of habitats are easily accessible. Of primary interest are Marievale,Suikerbosrand, the Magaliesberg Mountains, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens and the Dinokeng Bushveld area. Even within cities a great variety of birds may be found, and garden lists often exceed 100 species. Common species include Hadeda Ibis, Speckled Pigeon, Grey Loerie,Bokmakerie, Green Woodhoopoe, Black-collared Barbet, Olive Thrush and Cape Robin.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com

The blend of 2 oceans (the Atlantic Oceanand the Indian Ocean) and hence 2 different styles of beach, divided by a 1000m high peninsula, leaves Cape Town an unrivalled holiday destination.

The west side of the Cape Peninsula, on the Atlantic Ocean, has a very definite style of beach. This is where the more fashionable set go to see and be seen, particularly along the Atlantic Seaboard, also known as Cape Town’s “Riviera”, which stretches from the V&A Waterfront on the north shore of Table Mountain up as far as Hout Bay and is connected by one of the most picturesque, scenic drives along Victoria Road.

Beaches here enjoy longer sunshine hours, incomparable sunsets and more protection from the “Cape Doctor” (Cape Town’s infamous south easterly) than the False Bay side of the Cape peninsula. There is a spectacular selection of unspoilt beaches with seas that are usually 3 to 4 degrees colder than the Indian Ocean but this doesn’t seem to worry anyone soaking up the sun against the backdrop of blue skies and white sands.

North of the Atlantic Seaboard are the beaches of Table Bay. These sport the picture-postcard views of Cape Town over Table Mountain and Robben Island and tend to be more popular with locals, particularly kitesurfers. Beyond Hout Bay, beaches such as Noordhoek and Scarborough are less frequented but no less beautiful, rather they’re where the locals can get away from the crowds.

The east side of the peninsula, on the warmer Indian Ocean, is generally more laid back and not as frenetic as the Atlantic coastline, although in peak season these family oriented beaches can still become pretty busy. These beaches are favoured by locals who live in the southern suburbs of Cape Town who don’t need to drive far to get to a beach.

False Bay is a huge arc that curves from the Helderberg beaches on the east side of the bay to Cape Point on the west end.

Some argue that the closer beaches are to Cape Point the colder they are but the general rule of thumb for beaches on the Indian Ocean is that they’re three to four degrees warmer than the Atlantic beaches. These are great swimming beaches. Most of them are manned by lifeguards and shallow waters extend quite far out so that swimming and paddling are relatively safe.

The upmarket Clifton area contains some of the most exclusive real estate in South Africa. The buildings range from beach cottages to luxury apartments and custom designed mansions, some of which are built into the mountainside, overlooking this popular part of the Cape coastline and blending in with the natural scenery.
Clifton Beaches cape Town The lively beaches of Clifton
separated by huge boulders and sheltered from the wind, are considered among themost fashionable in Cape Town. They are frequented by a young crowd of sun worshippers, many who spend their time stretched out in the sun or playing beach games. Clifton’s 1st, 2nd and third beaches are small and hidden away from the road by massive upmarket apartment blocks.

Access is by steps winding down from the coast road. Parking is limited to the roadside and to a small parking lot on the coast road. The beach area is a favourite venue for party goers and often becomes lively after hours.

Clifton’s Fourth is the largest most popular beach here and the best choice for visitors as it offers ample parking and refreshments facilities. Lifeguards and security are also provided.

The sea in this area is too cold for all but the most enthusiastic swimmer, so lounging about on the white sands, playing beach games and eyeing the jet skis and yachts moored offshore is a popular pastime.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com

“There has been enormous interest, in particular from the European media, in visiting South Africa for the tournament,” Birch said in a statement last month. “Our intention is to ensure visiting foreign trade and media are exposed to our producers and activities in the winelands while they are here.
“We’ll give them a taste of the true South African hospitality for which we have become famous. They’ll experience the spontaneous African warmth and excitement surrounding the [World Cup], and get to taste our wines in a new context.”
Ninth-biggest producer

South Africa is the ninth-biggest wine producer in the world, with 102 000 hectares cultivated to vine, representing three percent of global output. For the 12 months to April 2009, the country exported just over 403.3-million litres of wine to reflect a year-on-year growth of 17%.

Sales to the country’s biggest markets were all up, to the UK by 27%, to Germany by 12%, and to Sweden by 26%.

Birch says South Africa remains the fast-growing segment in the UK, occupying fifth position with a 10% share of the market, is the fourth-biggest player in Germany, and the biggest in Sweden.

“We remain confident of South Africa’s ability to compete in the global arena, but we have to manage our resources as effectively as possible,” she said. “We are used to working with very tight budgets, and this has made us flexible, with the capacity to adapt to changing circumstances.”

UK awareness campaign

Birch said Wosa would also be giving greater emphasis to reaching consumers directly. Last month in the UK it ran a highly innovative new campaign, The Great South African Wine Trail, which brought the flavours of South African wines and lifestyle to life for over a million consumers.

A branded, double-decker hybrid and carbon-neutral bus filled with fynbos arrangements, grape vines and hosted by South African winemakers, travelled to eight major cities, going as far north as Edinburgh. Visitors were able to sample wines, talk to the winemakers and learn about the country’s eco-initiatives.

“Looking at the first four months of this year compared with a year ago, our key markets continue to deliver good growth, and we are seeing an encouraging increase in the sale of premium wines,” Birch said. “Packaged wines for the period were up 12% and that is a very positive sign compared to how some other exporting countries are faring.”
UK honour

Birch was recently honoured as Woman of the Year by leading UK journal “The Drinks Business”, for the role she has played the advances made by the South African wine industry in international markets over the past decade.

She was also featured on Sky News and CNBC Europe, which highlighted how South Africa’s exports had grown more than threefold in volume within a decade, on a budget far smaller than many competitor generic marketing bodies.

Information by http://www.southafrica.info

Affixed to the tip of Africa as it is, the Western Cape lies bordered by two oceans – the Indian Ocean to the south and the Atlantic to the west – which goes a long way to clarify its allure. The wildCape Agulhas coast, the extraordinary magnificence of the Garden Route, the sparse, sweeping stretches of sand, punctuated only by rocky outcrops and fishing villages, of the West Coastnotwithstanding, it is not the coastline alone that draws the crowds. The constant reassuring presence of immense peaks form the backdrop to a land so lovely in parts that the emerald lakes and indigenous forests of the Wilderness, the sun-drenched vineyards of the Cape Winelands, the magnificent passes to reach the interior and the wide, windswept arid spaces of the Klein Karooseem part of a fantasy landscape that often defies description.
Cape Town City – Business District

Cape Town City, the City Business District

The heart of the Western Cape is without doubt the city of Cape Town. With a distinct flavour of its own, affected in no small part by the cultural melting pot of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers who each indelibly stamped their mark upon the foundations of the city, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world today.

The inner city is an eclectic mix of architectural styles that combine the past with the present in a mishmash of high-rise office blocks, Edwardian and Victorian buildings and narrow, cobblestone streets that give rise to fine examples of Cape Dutch design. It is also home to a blend of corporate and independent business that lends it a striking aliveness, particularly at lunch time when the streets spill over with a combination of lunch time diners and consequent entertainers and market stalls.

Constantly engulfed by the vast maternal presence of Table Mountain, the inner city combines with an effortless choice of white sandy beaches, must-visits like Robben Island, Cape Point and theVictoria & Alfred Waterfront, magnificent green areas with rivers, vleis and dams, a floral kingdom that is wholly unique to the Cape and an effortlessly warm climate that makes the Western Cape a logical destination throughout the year.
The Western Cape

The Western CapeThe vibrant coastline that stretches from Lambert’s Bay on the West Coast all the way around to Witsand, offers an incredible diversity. From sweeping sandy beaches that are perfect for swimming and sunbathing, where children get to splash in the shallows, to stormy narrow shores with crashing waves that threaten your very mettle but provide awe-inspiring views from surrounding cliffs, along which some of the country’s greatest hikes like the Otter Trail pass, you will not be disappointed.

The Cape Whale Coast in particular creates quite a stir and draws to our shores a uniquely intelligent and remarkable creature that never fails to ignite in those who come to see them a sense of well-being and incredible pleasure at having viewed them from so close. Whales, including the Southern Right Whale and less commonly the Bryde’s (pronounced ‘broodess’) and the Humpback Whale, are frequently sited along the Cape Overberg Coast from Stony Point near Betty’s Bay, along the cliff paths ofHermanus, Kleinmond, Onrus, Walker Bay, the De Hoop Nature Reserve and Witsand. These gentle giants spend summer feeding around Antarctica and then migrate thousands of miles to our waters where the sheltered bays of the South African coast provide perfect refuge to mate and calve.

The Western Cape WinelandsThe Cape Winelands of the Western Cape are another of the huge draw cards to South Africa that manage to effortlessly combine the beauty of ripening vineyards, Cape Dutch manor homes and excellent cuisine in valleys surrounded by indigo mountains to such effect that visitors return to fully appreciate the many wine routes and estates on offer. Many of these are within easy reach of Cape Town, particularly those in Stellenbosch, Paarl,Franschhoek and Wellington, but there are those slightly further afield in other wine-producing valleys – the Breede River Valley, the Swartland and the Olifants River Valley, to name but a few – that are equally inviting (see Cape Wine Routes).

The Overberg with its myriad villages, mountains and coastline; the citrus-bearing Cederberg with its incredibly intense summers and amazing mountain scenery, and the Breede River Valley that includes timeless villages like McGregor, Swellendam and Malgas are other reasons to visit the Western Cape if you haven’t yet added it to your itinerary.

Information by http://www.sa-venues.com