Western Cape
Smaller than most regions but more breathtaking than all of them combined, the Western Cape is rich in colonial history and once served as an outpost of the Dutch East India Company. Whether it’s wine-tasting in Stellenbosch, kite surfing in Langebaan or township tours in Knysna, diverse experiences are sure to delight on your Western Cape vacation.
Fun Facts:
Highlights: African art-lovers will revel in the wide range of arts and crafts on display at Cape Town’s Pan African Market.
Fun facts: The best time of year for Great White shark viewing in South Africa’s Western Cape is from April to October.
Related activities: Mossel Bay has much more than surf, sand and sun. It’s also home to some of the world’s best land-based whale watching and some of the finest dining experiences in the Western Cape.
The Table Bay Hotel is at the head of our list of Top 10 South Africa Luxury Hotels because it’s the stateliest spot in this warm-climate country. An amazing location overlooking the home of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela and gorgeous Table Mountain means pure bliss for you! ... See More
Stay Here
The Western Cape offers accommodations as diverse as its people. Full-service hotels can be found along the famed Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, bed and breakfasts with vineyards as their backyard line the Cape Route and colonial homes – some once used by the Dutch East India Company – are a historic way to stay in the Western Cape. Luxury resorts like Alta Bay overlook Table Mountain, and for hunting, private game lodges can’t be beat.
Play Here
Stop along the Garden Route for a South African stay and play experience complete with luxury villas, superb greens and coastal scenery. Touch noses with the gentle giants of Knysna Elephant Park, swim with a dolphin pod along Paradise Coast and shiver in delight as a Great White circles your Mossel Bay shark cage. For a more leisurely tour, marvel at stalactites in Klein Karoo caves and sample Cape Town craftsmanship at the Pan African Market.
Dine Here
Unique gastronomical experiences abound on the Western Cape. Sample Knsyna’s famed oysters in a Cape fishing village and head to Oudtshoorn ostrich farms for a taste of these feathered giants. Cruise the Western Cape brandy route or swirl award-winning vintages along the Breede River wine route – the world’s longest. For an authentic experience, try your hand at indigenous gathering techniques or take part in a traditional tea service, complete with scones covered in clotted cream.
How to Get Here
Cape Town International airport is home to several international airlines and offers flights in and out of South Africa’s Western Cape, including daily flights from Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Durban. Travel by train is also popular in the Western Cape, and mainline passenger trains offer daily service between Cape Town and Pretoria or Johannesburg and weekly service from Durban and Port Elizabeth.
Getting Around
Options for getting around South Africa’s Western Cape include car hire, domestic flights and bus, rail and taxi services. If traveling through the Western Cape on a self-guided tour, hire a car, campervan or motor home for your trip. There are car rental agencies at all airports and in major centers across the country. Travel by rail is another alternative for getting around, and services range from basic two- or four-bed compartments on Western Cape passenger train to the delectable cuisine and upscale accommodations offered by the Greyhound, Autopax and Intercape luxury coaches.
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