Cape Point is a promontory at the southeast corner of the Cape Peninsula, which is a mountainous and very scenic landform that runs north-south for about thirty kilometres at the extreme southwestern tip of the African continent in the Republic of South Africa.
Cape Point falls within the Cape Floral Region World Heritage Site and is the most southerly point within the Good Hope section of Table Mountain National Park. The Cape Floral Region is one of the richest areas for plants in the world – it is home to nearly 20% of Africa’s flora.
Plan a picnic in the park or on the beach, hike or mountain bike ride, have lunch in the upmarket Two Oceans Restaurant (bookings essential; +27 21 780 9200 high above the crashing waves of False Bay, or simply catch the funicular to a point where you need only do a short walk to a lookout point over the Atlantic Ocean.
You will be be able to see the most powerful lighthouse on the South African coast, which steers ships through a perilous passage around the point which over the centuries has seen the end of many. Look out, too, for pelagic birds of which there are a large variety, zebra, eland, and many species of reptiles and small mammals. Chacma baboons are common here, especially at the Point itself. Don’t be tempted to feed the baboons and stay well away from them, as they can be aggressive. Cape Point is open daily and is a must-see
Distance from Cape Town CBD: 60 km / Est. Time from Cape Town CBD: 100 min / Suggested Time at Destination: 2 hours. Cape Town's Top Attractions
* Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch is the name of a famous botanical garden nestled at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town. The garden is one of eight National Botanical Gardens covering five of South Africa's six different biomes. Kirstenbosch is South Africa’s world-famous national botanical garden, set against the backdrop of Table Mountain and Devil’s Peak, and home to over 22000 indigenous plants. The Garden covers 36 hectares in a 528 hectare estate that contains protected mountainside supporting natural forest and fynbos along with a variety of animals and birds. Kirstenbosch lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, also known as the Cape Floral Kingdom. In 2004 the Cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site – another first for Kirstenbosch, it is the first botanic garden in the world to be included within a natural World Heritage Site. Cape Town's Top Attractions
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II Cape Town attractions | Cape Town Sightseeing | Cape Town Top Attractions | Things to do in Cape Town | What to do in Cape Town South Africa | Attractions in capetown II
Almost everything is possible in Cape Town, from a guided city tour, to a scenic helicopter flight over the Cape Peninsula. The easiest way to get an overview on things to do in Cape Town, or find out about great restaurants to sample some of Cape Towns Gourmet Delights, or visit Culture and Heritage places of interest, or other outdoor activities, etc is to walk into one of the visitors centres which are in several areas. (V&A Waterfront, City Bowl, Green Point etc).
We have listed below some of the major attractions in and around Cape Town.
*Table Mountain and Table Mountain Aerial Cableway
Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. It is a significant tourist attraction, with many visitors using the cableway or hiking to the top. The mountain forms part of the Table Mountain National Park. Cape Town's Top Attractions
Take a 10min Cable Car to the top of Table Mountain from Lower Cable Station, Tafelberg Road. The cable car’s rotating floor and huge windows ensure that all passengers get a 360-degree aerial view as they head up the mountain. Open 8AM to 10PM, last car down is at 9PM. These times may vary throughout the year. Both the cable car and the pathways on top of the mountain are wheelchair accessible. Always take something warm to wear when going up the mountain, even if it is a nice toasty 30C at the bottom of the mountain. Weather conditions at the top of the mountain are not the same as at the bottom. If you're feeling fit, try climbing the shortest route to the top Platteklip Gorge. It's a steep 2 hours but well worth the effort and you can jump in the cable car back down to spare your knees. Take water, sun block, hat and jacket. The cloud comes down unannounced and the temperature could plummet. Poorly equipped hikers often have to be rescued.
Table Mountain is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to about 2000 species of plants (more than the number found throughout the entire British Isles), most of them fynbos, which forms one of the world’s six plant kingdoms all on its own. Table Mountain is also the home of a small animal, the rock rabbit (known locally as the 'Dassie') whose closest relative, DNA-wise, is the elephant.
Ticket Rates: Adult - Return: R160.00 - Children (4–17 years) - Return: R80.00. Valid October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010. Tel: +27 (0)21 424 8181.For online bookings or for more information visit - http://www.tablemountain.net/ - Cape Town's Top Attractions
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* Robben Island
Robben Island is located just off the coast from Cape Town, this was the location used during the apartheid days to hold political prisoners, including Nelson Mandela and the late Walter Sisulu. Some of the tour guides were themselves political prisoners so they have plenty of insight about what went on there. Tours run several times per day, seven days a week from the Nelson Mandela Gateway at the V&A Waterfront.
Ferries depart regularly from the Nelson Mandela Gateway, and each tour takes approximately 3.5 hours. You will be guided around the island by a former political prisoner who will relate the story of Robben Island first-hand, ensuring a personal and poignant tour. The Robben Island Museum Tour includes a guided tour of the maximum security prison. A visit to Mandela’s cell in B-section is a significant part of the tour. The small cell has been left in its original state and shows the hardships of prison life.
Ticket Rates: Tickets are sold at R200 for adults and R100 for all children under the age of 18. The three and a half hour tour includes a return trip across Table Bay, a visit to the Maximum Security Prison, interaction with an ex-political prisoner and a 45 minute bus tour with a guide providing commentary. Tel: +27 (0)21 413-4200.For online bookings or for more information visit - http://www.robben-island.org.za / or Click hereto book your tickets online
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When Kirstenbosch, the most famous of the gardens, was founded in 1913 to preserve the country's unique flora, it was the first botanical garden in the world with this ethos. Furthermore, what makes the Gardens so famous worldwide is that (with minor exceptions) only indigenous plants are cultivated. View the hugely diverse and beautiful plants and flowers of the Cape flora in one of the most stunning botanical gardens in the world. Plants from all of the regions of South Africa are on display, including rare succulents from the Richtersveld, a giant baobab tree, and interesting medicinal plants. Numerous paths wander through the grounds situated on the back side of Table Mountain. Several restaurants, a gift shop and indigenous nursery are also available.
In summer there are open-air concerts on Sundays, and it’s best to bring a loaded picnic basket and enjoy the gardens at your leisure, as you sip Cape wines. Get there early, as they’re very popular. The Silvertree Restaurant also hosts a Winter Concert programme that is also popular with locals and visitors.
Contact information: +27 (0)21 762 0687 / Operational hours: Sep - Mar (Summer): Mon - Sun -
08h00 - 19h00 / Apr - Aug (Winter): Mon - Sun - 08h00 - 18h00. Physical Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands Cape Town, Entrance Fees: Adults: R35, SA Students (with card): R20, Children: R10
Under 6 yrs: Free, BOTSOC Members: Free, SA Senior Citizens (with ID): Free on Tuesdays, except on public holidays. Cape Town's Top Attractions
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* Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - Cape Town
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is located in the historic heart of Cape Town's working harbour and is South Africa's most-visited destination, having the highest rate of foreign tourists of any attraction in the country. (“V&A” stands for Victoria and Alfred, after Queen Victoria of England and her youngest son, Alfred, who officially laid the first stones of the harbour in 1860.)
Situated between Robben Island and Table Mountain and set against a backdrop of sea and mountain views, it offers a variety of shopping and amusement possibilities, like the Aquarium or the Marine Museum. Harbour tours and trips to Robben Island start from here, as well as helicopter flights to the Cape Peninsula. It houses the Nelson Mandela Gateway which offers boat trips to Robben Island, as well as the Two Oceans Aquarium.
The V&A Waterfront has more or less full wheelchair access. The Waterfront’s Amphitheatre is a good spot for live entertainment (often provided to the public for free) – from concerts to creative workshops to puppet shows. V&A Waterfront Visitor Information Centre: Tel: +27 (0)21 408 7600 / Website: http://www.waterfront.co.za/ - Cape Town's Top Attractions
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Full Day Coach Tour of the Cape winelands from Cape Town. Witness the wine making process from the vineyard to the bottle & visit the historical towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl & Franschoek. R680.00 p/p
Full Day Coach Tour from Cape Town. Combine historical Stellenbosch & its wine region with a journey to the Cape of Good Hope & Cape Point. R840.00 p/p
From June to November. Enjoy a scenic coastal drive and experience the majestic beauty of the southern Right Whales basking in the warm waters off the Hermanus coastline, offering the best land based whale watching in the world. R680.00 p/p
