Activities in Cape Town
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Aquila Game Reserve Wildlife Safari from Cape Town
10 hours (Departs Cape Town, South Africa)
by Viator
Visit the incredible Aquila Game Reserve -- the closest game reserve to Cape Town – on this full-day safari tour! With hotel pickup from your central Cape Town…Not LP reviewed
from USD$256.82 - All activities
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Clifton Beaches
Giant granite boulders split the four linked beaches at Clifton, accessible by steps from Victoria Rd. Almost always sheltered from the wind, they are top sunbathing spots, despite the lack of local facilities. Local lore has it that No 1 and No 2 beaches are for models and confirmed narcissists, No 3 is the gay beach, and No 4, the busiest, is for families. If you haven’t brought your own supplies, vendors hawk drinks and ice creams along the beach, and you can hire a sun lounge and umbrella.
reviewed
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Circe Launches
Although increasingly given over to tourism, Hout Bay’s harbour still functions and the southern arm of the bay is an important fishing port and processing centre. From here you can catch a boat to Duiker Island (also known as Seal Island because of its colony of Cape fur seals, but not to be confused with the official Seal Island in False Bay). Three companies run cruises daily, usually with guaranteed sailings in the mornings. The cheapest, with a none-too-spectacular glass-bottomed boat, is Circe Launches; the others are Drumbeat Charters and Nauticat Charters.
reviewed
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Spier
There’s something for everyone at this mega-estate, a major sponsor of the arts, which offers golf, horse riding, a cheetah-conservation project, a performing-arts centre, beautifully restored Cape Dutch buildings and several restaurants, including the spectacular if somewhat cheesy African-themed Moyo. Its wines have improved over the years, and in the tasting room you can try lots of other vineyards’ wines. There’s also a good hotel, the Village at Spier.
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Grande Provence
A beautifully revamped 18th-century manor house is home to a stylish restaurant and a splendid gallery showcasing the best local artists. In the tasting room you can try the very easy-drinking Angel Tears blends or the flagship Grande Provence red (tasting R50). The Jonkershuis lounge (used for meetings and conferences) is worth a look, and if you really want to push the boat out, the luxurious Owner’s Cottage is available to sleep in.
reviewed
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African Story
Full-day tours led by Bruce Story including wine, cheese and chocolate tastings at four wine estates in the Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl regions.
reviewed
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Siviwe Tours
As well as regular walking tours, English- and Spanish-speaking Siviwe Mbinda offers two-hour bicycling tours around Langa (R180 if you get yourself to Langa, R300 if Siviwe comes to pick you up). In his spare time he’s helped local kids form a gumboot dance troupe, which he can arrange to perform.
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City Sightseeing Cape Town
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Groot Constantia
A superb example of Cape Dutch architecture, Groot Constantia is set in beautiful grounds. Not surprisingly, it can become busy with tour groups, but the estate is big enough for you to escape the crowds, if needs be. In the 18th century, Constantia wines were exported around the world and were highly acclaimed; today you should try its sauvignon blanc and pinotage.
As you approach the estate the large tasting room is first on your right. Further on is the free orientation centre, which provides an excellent overview of the estate’s history, and the beautifully restored homestead, now a museum. The interiors have been appropriately furnished; take a look at the tiny slave…
reviewed
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Solms-Delta
In its current incarnation, Solms-Delta has only been a business a blip compared to some of its venerable neighbours, but it’s already producing eight wines including the delicious Solms-Astor Vastrap and eminently quaffable Cape Jazz Shiraz, like a lambrusco but not so cloying. Vines have been grown on these lands for over 300 years and the farm’s history is set out in the estate’s Museum Van de Caab, in the original wine cellar. This remarkable museum tells the story of the Delta wine farm from the perspective of the people who worked and still work on it – the presentation of extensive research is excellent. Outside you can see the archaeological site of the farm’s…
reviewed
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Boschendal
Tucked beneath some awesome mountains, this is the classic Winelands estate, with lovely architecture, food and wine. Note that the Taphuis wine-tasting area (where tastings cost R15, or R25 for a formal tasting with a guide) is at the opposite end of the estate from the Groot Drakenstein manor house and restaurants. Its reds, including cabernet sauvignon and merlot, get top marks. The blow-out buffet lunch (R240) in the main restaurant is mainly a group affair. Far nicer, especially in fine weather, is Le Café, where you can have a snack or something more substantial. Also very popular are ‘le pique nique’ hampers (adult/child R135/59, minimum two people) served under…
reviewed
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Klein Constantia
Part of the original Constantia estate, Klein Constantia is famous for its Vin de Constance, a deliciously sweet muscat wine (R330). It was Napoleon’s solace on St Helena, and Jane Austen had one of her heroines recommend it for having the power to heal ‘a disappointed heart’. We can’t guarantee that, but we can say that while Klein Constantia doesn’t offer the frills and bonuses of other wineries, it’s still worth visiting for its excellent tasting room and informative displays. Also try the riesling, sauvignon blanc and marlbrook, a classic Bordeaux-style blend. At the estate’s entrance, pause to look at the karamat (saint’s tomb) of Sheik Abdurachman Matebe Shah; he…
reviewed
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Oude Molen Eco Village
The only organic farm within Cape Town’s city limits, and a showcase for sustainable development, can be found at the Oude Molen Eco Village. This is only one of the several grassroots-style operations occupying this once-abandoned section of the buildings and grounds of the Valkenberg mental hospital. You can volunteer to work at the farm through the Willing Workers on Organic Farms scheme, as well as stay at a backpackers lodge called Lighthouse Farm Lodge, go horse-riding with Oude Molen Stables or eat at the excellent café and farmstall Millstone.
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Nauticat Charters
Although increasingly given over to tourism, Hout Bay’s harbour still functions and the southern arm of the bay is an important fishing port and processing centre. From here you can catch a boat to Duiker Island (also known as Seal Island because of its colony of Cape fur seals, but not to be confused with the official Seal Island in False Bay). Three companies run cruises daily, usually with guaranteed sailings in the mornings. The cheapest, with a none-too-spectacular glass-bottomed boat, is Circe Launches; the others are Drumbeat Charters and Nauticat Charters.
reviewed
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Drumbeat Charters
Although increasingly given over to tourism, Hout Bay’s harbour still functions and the southern arm of the bay is an important fishing port and processing centre. From here you can catch a boat to Duiker Island (also known as Seal Island because of its colony of Cape fur seals, but not to be confused with the official Seal Island in False Bay). Three companies run cruises daily, usually with guaranteed sailings in the mornings. The cheapest, with a none-too-spectacular glass-bottomed boat, is Circe Launches; the others are Drumbeat Charters and Nauticat Charters.
reviewed
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Sahara Park Newlands
If it wasn’t for nearby South African Breweries messing up the view towards the back of Table Mountain, Newlands would be a shoo-in for the title of world’s prettiest cricket ground. Under a sponsorship deal its official name is Sahara Park Newlands, but everyone still knows the venue as Newlands Cricket Ground. With room for 25,000, it’s used for all international matches. The season runs from September to March with the one-day matches drawing the biggest crowds. Grab a spot on the grass to soak up the festive atmosphere. Tickets cost around R50 for local matches and up to R200 for internationals.
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Constantia Uitsig
The wine on sale here is actually made at the nearby Steenberg Vineyards – try their crisp semillon, luscious MCC Blanc de Blanc Brut (R325) or limited-release Muscat D’Alexandrie. It’s one for foodies since it boasts three excellent restaurants – Constantia Uitsig,La Colombe and the River Café, as well as a luxury hotel,ConstantiaUitsig.
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Downhill Adventures
This totally adrenaline-focused company got the craze for sandboarding going in the Cape, and its trip to Atlantis, north of the city centre, is R495/695 per half/full day. It also runs a regular surf school with half-day introductory courses for R495.
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Buitenverwachting
Buitenverwachting means ‘beyond expectation’, which is certainly the feeling one gets on visiting this 100-hectare estate that’s known for offering good working and living conditions to its employees. Order ahead to enjoy a blissful picnic lunch in front of the 1796 manor house. For something more formal try the elegant restaurant. Beg, steal or borrow to snag a bottle of its delicious, but limited release, Christine claret. The chardonnay and Rhine riesling are among its standout whites.
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Steenberg Vineyards
Steenberg began life under the name Swaane-weide (Feeding Place of the Swans) in 1682. A new energy pervades the estate since it was bought by Graham Beck in 2005; its former winemaker Ruth Penfold, was named the 2007 young winemaker of the year. Try their great merlot, sauvignon blanc reserve, semillon and cap classique sparkler. The estate also encompasses the five-star Steenberg Hotel in the original restored manor house, a restaurant and an 18-hole golf course. Pensioners take note: there’s 15% discount on all wines every Tuesday.
reviewed
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Baboon Matters
The signs at Cape Point warning you not to feed the baboons are there for a reason. After years of interacting with tourists, the baboons will quite happily grab food from your hands or climb in the open doors and windows of your car to get at it. Never challenge them as they will turn aggressive. The damage inflicted might end up being far more serious than baboon crap over your car seats, so keep an eye out and your food carefully hidden away.
Showing a much gentler side to baboon life is the project Baboon Matters which looks after four baboon troops. On a two-to-three-hour guided hike you’ll get to spend time observing a troop at very close quarters – it’s an amazing…
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Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve
Proclaimed in 1988 as the first Unesco Biosphere Reserve in South Africa, the Kogelberg biosphere lies 60km east of Cape Town and encompasses 100,000 hectares. Bounded by the Kogelberge in the east and projecting 7.5km out to sea, the reserve abuts the villages of Rooi Els, Pringle Bay, Hangklip, Betty’s Bay and Kleinmond.
The reserve has the most complex biodiversity on the planet, including over 1880 plant species. Birdlife is prolific, wild horses live in the wetlands, and whales can be seen offshore. There are day hikes and overnight trails, and the reserve is used by mountain bikers; permits are required. Hangklip-Kleinmond Tourism Bureau in Kleinmond has a list of…
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Durbanville Hills
Tired of the Cape Dutch–style wine cellars? Then visit this winery in an ultramodern building commanding a hilltop above the Durbanville vineyards. There’s a splendid view of Table Bay and Table Mountain from its stone-clad bastion. Best known for its merlot and its sauvignon blanc, the winery also has a good restaurant, @The Hills. Cellar tours are not conducted on the weekend and the restaurant is also open April to September – call ahead for opening hours.
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Duiker Island Cruises
Although increasingly given over to tourism, Hout Bay's harbour still functions and the southern arm of the bay is an important fishing port and processing centre. From here you can catch a boat to Duiker Island (also known as Seal Island because of its colony of Cape fur seals, but not to be confused with the official Seal Island in False Bay). Three companies run these cruises daily, usually with guaranteed sailings in the mornings: Circe Launches, Drumbeat Charters and Nauticat Charters.
reviewed
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Meerendal
Established in 1702 and with some of the oldest pinotage and shiraz vineyards in South Africa, Meerendal certainly has a pedigree for its wines. Its fortunes have really taken off since 2004 when new owners took over the historic farm. Locals rave about the quality of its formal restaurant Wheatfields, the more casual Barn & Lawn bistro, and its deli food, which can be enjoyed with a drop of its sauvignon blanc on the wooden deck. Book for the Sunday buffet.
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