The lure of Cape Town lies in its spectacular setting and the beauty of its natural environment, as well as the rich cultural diversity of its people. It has had a long and turbulent history and the effects of Apartheid still linger in the minds and hearts of the people.
Transformation however has led to a feeling of hope in this new ‘Rainbow Nation', which can be experienced in the cosmopolitan city centre of Cape Town. Flower sellers, business executives, parking attendants, office workers and shoppers all rub shoulders in a setting of both historical and modern buildings, backed by the city's most famous landmark, Table Mountain.
The colourful Malay Quarter, the remains of District Six, St George's Cathedral, Government Avenue and the old Castle are historically significant, while world-class African and international restaurants tempt travellers with their culinary delights. Although an African city, Cape Town has a marked European influence and visitors can experience the excitement of Africa from the comforts of First World surroundings.
Cape Town's unique setting means that it can be enjoyed from various vantage points: Table Mountain and Lion's Head provide breathtaking vistas over the city bowl and the Cape peninsula with its beautiful beaches; trips to Robben Island offer a dramatic sweep of scenery across to Table Bay; and harbour tours and old buildings await exploration at the cosmopolitan Waterfront. Many scenic routes meander along magnificent stretches of coastline and inland terrain leading to special places like Cape Point, the meeting place of the cold Benguela and warm Mozambique currents, and Chapman's Peak boasts one of the most picturesque drives in the country.
It is a city with four distinct seasons, each working its particular magic on Cape Town and bringing with it a flood of associations - summer and white sandy beaches, autumn's crisp colours, the ferocity of stormy seas in winter, and spring's show of Cape ‘fynbos' flowers.
From culture, history and scenery - to an unforgettable experience. This is a special place with much to contribute towards its growing reputation as a favoured travel destination.
Table Mountain
Cape Town's most popular tourist attraction is also its most famous physical feature, the flat-topped mountain that stands sentinel over the city. Table Mountain has been proclaimed a nature reserve, protecting its diverse floral species, some unique to its slopes. The views from the top of the mountain are quite spectacular. A Swiss-built rotating cable car carries visitors smoothly up the mountain and back. The mountain-top is equipped with a restaurant and small gift shop, as well as numerous pathways and vantage points. It is possible to climb the mountain via different routes, but care should be taken by inexperienced hikers because Cape Town is prone to sudden weather changes. The walk up can take anything between one and four hours depending on the route and level of fitness. Route maps can be bought at the cable-car station.
Address: Tafelberg Road; Telephone: (021) 424 8181, or (021) 424 0015; Transport: Bus to Kloof Nek from Adderley Street and a 1.5km walk up the hill; minibus taxi from the Parade; Riki taxi; or as part of the Cape Explorer Topless bus tour; Opening time: Cable car operates daily (weather permitting) every 10-15 minutes from 8.30am to 8pm (November); 8am to 10pm (December to January); 8.30am to 8.30pm (February); 8.30am to 7.30pm (March); 8.30am to 6.30pm (April); 8.30am to 6pm (May to September); 8.30am to 7pm (October). Closed for annual maintenance from 25 July to 7 August 2005; Admission: Cable car: R115 return, R60 one way (adults); R60 return, R30 one way (children 4-17). Other concessions available
Castle of Good Hope
South Africa's oldest building, the Castle was completed in 1679 (replacing an earlier mud and timber fort built by the first Dutch Governor, Jan van Riebeeck). Situated adjacent to a parking lot and bus station in Buitenkant Street, its walls mark the original boundary of the seashore where the waves washed up against the fortifications. Its outside aspect is somewhat foreboding, but inside are some interesting features and collections that have been restored, offering a good insight into the early days of the Cape when it was the centre of social and economic life. The castle is a pentagonal fortification with a moat and five bastions, each named for one of the titles of the Prince of Orange. The entrance is a good example of 17th century Dutch Classicism, and a bell, cast in 1679 by Claude Fremy in Amsterdam, still hangs from the original wood beams in the tower above the entrance. The castle contains a Military Museum depicting the conflicts that arose during the Cape's early settlement, and also houses the William Fehr Collection of decorative arts, including paintings, furniture and porcelain. Of interest are the dungeons, which bear the graffiti carved by prisoners incarcerated here centuries ago.
Address: Buitenkant Street, opposite the Grand Parade; Telephone: (021) 787 1249; Opening time: Daily 9am to 4pm, with tours at 11am, 12pm and 2pm from Monday to Saturday; Admission: R20 (adults), R10 (children); concessions available
Houses of Parliament
East of the tree-lined pedestrian Government Avenue, which runs through the Company Gardens at the top of Adderley Street, lies the complex of Parliamentary buildings, containing numerous chambers, offices and corridors. It was here that the racial segregation policy of Apartheid rose and fell along with the ascendancy of the National Party which made South Africa the political pariah of the world. Visitors can now book a tour of the legislative complex, the original section of which dates back to 1885, a magnificent Victorian Neoclassical building.
Address: 90 Plein Street, city centre (Visitor's entrance); Telephone: (021) 403 2911, or 403 2266 (tours), 403 2460 (debates); Opening time: Tours Monday to Friday 9am to 12pm; Admission: Tours are free, but advance booking is essential. Day tickets can also be bought to watch a parliamentary debating session
South African Museum and Planetarium
The imposing South African Museum, dedicated to natural history and the human sciences, contains a huge variety of fascinating exhibits from entire chunks of caves bearing rock art, to traditional arts and crafts from several African tribes. The natural history galleries are full of mounted mammals, dioramas of prehistoric reptiles and a collection of whale skeletons, which can be viewed with the eerie sound of whalesong echoing in the background. Alongside the museum is the Planetarium, which has a changing programme of thematic shows involving the southern constellations.
Address: 25 Queen Victoria Street, Gardens; Telephone: (021) 481 3800 (museum), 481 3900 (planetarium); Opening time: Daily 10am to 5pm. Planetarium shows Monday to Friday at 2pm and at 8pm on Tuesdays; Saturday and Sunday 12pm, 1pm and 2.30pm; Admission: Museum: R10 (adults), R5 (children), free on Saturdays; Planetarium: R20 (adults), R6 (children)
Greenmarket Square
Situated in the Central Business District, near the main station, is Greenmarket Square, the perfect spot to observe South Africa's 'rainbow nation' in all its hues. Once the scene of slave markets, this is the site of one of the city's most vibrant flea markets, where clothing, jewellery, knick-knacks and souvenirs are on sale every day, and tourists and business people rub shoulders in the many sidewalk cafes that surround this busy cobbled square. On the west side of the square is the Old Town House, dating from the mid-18th century, which is a wonderful example of Cape Dutch architecture and houses the Michaelis collection of Dutch and Flemish landscape paintings. Evening classical concerts are held regularly on the veranda.
Opening time: Square open daily. Art exhibition daily 10am to 5pm (February to December)
St George's Cathedral
Cape Town's Victorian Gothic style Anglican Cathedral, founded in 1901, is situated in Wale Street and is historically significant for it is where the enthronement of South Africa's first black archbishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, took place. The Cathedral is unique in that it became a political powerhouse in the struggle against Apartheid, known as ‘the people's cathedral', stating openly from the 1950s onwards that it was open to all people of all races at all times. This was a brave stand in the racially segregated society of the time. In subsequent years the cathedral became the venue for many protest gatherings and vigils and on occasions the building was surrounded by police, water cannon and barbed wire. Victims of forced removals were even accommodated in the cathedral at times. As far as architectural merit goes, the cathedral does feature some fine Gabriel Loire windows, including a magnificent Rose Window above the south transept.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Five miles (eight km) south of the city centre lies the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, covering a huge expanse of the rugged south-western slopes of the Table Mountain range. Kirstenbosch was bequeathed to the nation by mining magnate Cecil Rhodes in 1895, and today contains more than 22,000 plants, a research unit, botanical library and nursery. Numerous paths meander through the gardens, including a Braille route for the blind, which are full of lush shrubs and ‘fynbos', the Cape's indigenous floral heritage. A tearoom, restaurant and coffee bar are on site. In summertime the delightful setting becomes the venue for Sunday evening open-air concerts, when picnickers relax on the lawns, sipping Cape wine, and enjoying the sunset entertainment.
Address: Rhodes Drive, Newlands; Telephone: (021) 799 8783/8620 weekdays, 761 4916 weekends; Opening time: Daily 8am to 6pm (April to August); 8am to 7pm (September to March); Admission: R25 (adults), R5 (children 6-18)
Beaches
Cape Town has some great beaches, but the most easily accessible are on the Atlantic Ocean where the water is unbelievably cold; the locals rarely venture in beyond knee-high depths. The most popular is Camps Bay beach, a long, wide stretch of golden sand packed with locals and tourists alike and backed by a strip of fashionable bars and restaurants. Just towards town is Clifton, whose four beaches, imaginatively called First, Second, Third and Fourth, are situated beneath exclusive houses and apartments set into the cliff that protects sunbathers from the harsh southwesterly wind. First Beach is the largest and most popular with families (the steps are shorter), Second Beach is preferred by the 'camp' and 'hip' crowd, and Third and Fourth are usually frequented by well-toned locals and, when the waves are up, surfers. The small suburb of Llandudno, 15 minutes south of Camps Bay, is home to another excellent beach and is popular with locals from the Southern Suburbs or those keen to avoid the crowds. There are no bars or restaurants here, the nearest being at Hout Bay, another 10 minutes south. Hout Bay's long beach is popular with families and walkers but is not as stunning as its neighbours.
Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront
This working harbour, historical site and shopping and entertainment development has become one of Cape Town's most visited tourist attractions. The waterfront offers everything from shopping malls, and arts and crafts markets, to live music, cinemas, buskers and a variety of festivals throughout the year. There are also more than 70 eateries ranging from pubs and fast food outlets to five star restaurants, luxury hotels, and a variety of boat trips, harbour cruises and helicopter charters. The Two Oceans Aquarium is the largest of its kind in Africa and is an impressive display of life in the oceans surrounding the Cape Coast
Telephone: (0)21 408 7600, or 418 3823 (aquarium); Transport: A Waterfront bus service links the Waterfront to the city centre and the Atlantic Seaboard. Buses from the Victoria & Alfred Hotel travel to Adderley Street in the city centre, while buses from Breakwater Boulevard outside Victoria Wharf travel as far and the Peninsula Hotel in Sea Point; Opening time: Aquarium: daily 9.30am to 6pm; Admission: Aquarium: R65 (adults), R30 (children 4-17)
Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap, or the old Malay Quarter, was declared an exclusive residential area for the Muslim Cape Malays under the Group Areas Act of 1950 during the Apartheid years, forcing people of other religions and ethnicity to leave, and today is still closely associated with the Muslim community. The houses have been restored and colourfully painted, and the steep cobbled streets, mosques and minarets, and blend of Cape Dutch and Edwardian architecture makes it one of the most interesting historical and cultural areas of the city. The Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street documents the history of the Cape Malays
Cape Town Excursions
Robben Island
South Africa's most widely known tourist attraction is probably Robben Island, seven miles (11km) from Cape Town in the centre of Table Bay. For nearly 400 years this tiny rocky island outcrop was utilised as a place of banishment, exile, isolation and imprisonment for numerous categories of people ostracised by society, ranging from political protestors to lepers. During the years of Apartheid, Robben Island became synonymous with institutional brutality as numerous freedom fighters, including the island's most famous resident Nelson Mandela, were imprisoned here for more than a quarter of a century. The island is now a museum, symbolising liberation and the triumph of the human spirit. Regular island tours are conducted, lasting three and a half hours. The tours, which are guided by former prisoners, include a visit to the maximum-security prison on the island where an estimated 3,000 freedom fighters were incarcerated between 1962 and 1991.
Telephone: (021) 409 5100, or 405 4500 (tours); Transport: Boat from the Nelson Mandela Robben Island Gateway in the clock tower precinct at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront in Cape Town; Opening time: Boats leave at 9am, 10am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm (weather dependent); Admission: Tours are R150 (adults), R75 (children 4-17), which includes the return boat trip across Table Bay
Groot Constantia
The historic Cape Dutch homestead of Groot Constantia, about half an hour's drive to the south from the city centre, is the oldest house in the Cape and the main stopping point on the well-signposted Constantia Wine Route. The manor house, originally home to Dutch Governor Simon van der Stel in 1685, is the centre of a museum complex. The house itself is furnished with items from the period while an adjacent wine museum exhibits drinking and storage vessels in glass, silver, copper and stoneware dating from 500BC to the 19th century. There are two excellent restaurants on the site, and cellar tours and wine tastings are offered. Other estates on the Constantia Wine Route are Klein Constantia, Buitenverwachting, Constantia Uitsig and Steenberg.
Telephone: (021) 794 5067; Opening time: Groot Constantia opens daily, museum open 10am to 5pm; other estates closed on Saturday afternoons and Sundays; Admission: Museum: R8 (adults), R2 (children)
Hout Bay
About 12 miles (19km) from Cape Town via the scenic Victoria coastal drive is the fishing harbour of Hout Bay, no longer the quaint village it once was, but still offering an enjoyable day's outing in a beautiful setting. The busy little harbour is thronged with fishing boats and yachts, offering an interesting fisheries museum, some good fish restaurants and souvenir shops. The Hout Bay Museum has some interesting exhibits detailing local history and the World of Birds in the Hout Bay Valley houses more than 3,000 birds and small animals, from flamingos to eagles, and is well worth a visit. There is a vibrant craft market held on the village green every Sunday. It is also possible to take a short sea cruise to nearby Duiker Island for an up-close look at the resident Cape Fur Seal colony. The long stretch of beach is ideal for a walk from the harbour around to the base of Chapman's Peak on the other side of the bay; Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular coastal roads in South Africa, linking Hout Bay to the seaside community of Noordhoek, with breathtaking views from along the narrow, winding road blasted into the cliffs.
Simonstown and Boulders Beach
A recommended day excursion from the city includes a trip through the southern suburbs and along the scenically beautiful False Bay coastline via Muizenberg to Simonstown, South Africa's principal naval base. Simonstown lies about 25 miles (40km) from the city and is a quaint town built around a naval dockyard, with well-preserved Victorian buildings, museums, sidewalk cafes and local legends to learn about. One such legend is about a dog called ‘Just Nuisance' who 'joined' the British navy, becoming their mascot, when Simonstown was a British base. A short distance from the town is Boulder's beach, famous for its protected colony of African Penguins (formerly Jackass Penguin) that can be viewed from the boardwalks.
Transport: Metrorail suburban train from Cape Town's central station; Admission: Boulders Beach Penguin Colony: R15 (adults), R5 (scholars)
Cape Point
Most visitors to Cape Town are keen to make a day trip 40 miles (65km) from the city to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, not only to take in its floral diversity in what at first sight appears to be a bleak landscape, but to stand at the top of the towering promontory at the most southerly point of the Cape Peninsula. From the viewpoint and lighthouse at Cape Point, reached via a funicular, it is awesome to watch the thundering waves crashing at the base of the cliffs 686ft (209m) below. The reserve itself is worth exploring, particularly on foot, for those interested in birds and botany. The restaurant at Cape Point has a terrace offering spectacular views. Resident baboons here enjoy the spoils from tourists' snacks - particularly their ice-cream; they can be quite aggressive. Because feeding of the baboons carries a stiff penalty, it is worth ensuring there are no free lunches for these hirsute scavengers!
Telephone: (021) 780 9010/11; Opening time: Daily 6am to 6pm (September to April), 7am to 5pm (May to August). Funicular: 9am to 6pm (summer), 9am to 5.30pm (winter); Admission: R35 (adults), R10 (children 2-16). Funicular: R24 one way (adults) or R32 return, concessions available
Township Tours
The N2 highway that connects Cape Town International Airport to the city is lined with townships, consisting of a mixture of shacks and solid buildings. During the days of apartheid, people of colour were not allowed to live in the white suburbs and were banished to areas away from the city. Township tours allow visitors to experience how the majority of Capetonians live in the townships that surround the city. Guides, often residents, take visitors around to meet the people, see community projects, have a drink in a 'shebeen' (township pub) and shop for local crafts. Each township has its own colourful character, and despite their difficult living conditions, residents are generally hospitable and delighted to receive visitors. Townships were once no-go areas for many people, but today a visit is becoming a popular experience for tourists to Cape Town. Visit Langa, the oldest of South Africa's black townships, established in 1923, or the newest and second largest in the country, Khayelitsha, which dates from the 1980s. Guguletu and Nyanga were set up in the 1950s. Visitors are advised not to visit the townships alone; there are many tour companies that offer tours, including transport to and from the township areas. Contact the Cape Town Tourism Visitor Information Centre or its satellite, the Sivuyile Tourism Centre in Guguletu for information about tours, accommodation and entertainment in the townships.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival
Every New Year, thousands of minstrels take to the streets in a dazzling display of colourful satin uniforms, shiny parasols, painted faces and foot-tapping banjo tunes that accompany the traditional folk songs, many of Cape Malay origin. The parade is known colloquially as the 'Coon Carnival' ('coon' referring to a member of a minstrel troupe) among the predominately Afrikaans-speaking 'coloured' community who make up the majority of the performers. The traditional event has its origins in the 19th century when minstrel entertainers on American cruise ships stopped off in Cape Town; their sounds and styles were incorporated into the New Year festivals of the newly freed Malay slaves. The Carnival begins in the new year and the festivities continue into January with extravagant street parades; singing, dancing, costume competitions and marches through the streets from the central city area of District Six. For more information contact Rashaad Abrahams on (0)21 762 9672 .
Venue: Streets of Cape Town and Greenpoint Stadium; Date: 2 January Time: 9am
J&B Met
One of the most prestigious and anticipated events on Cape Town's social calendar, the J&B Met is not only about thoroughbreds, but is a day of glamorous fashion, entertainment and sophistication, accompanied by J&B Scotch Whiskey. The R1.5-million prize money is in keeping with its status as the premier horseracing event in South Africa, and the Official After Party is a highly rated post-race event that continues the festivities well into the early hours.
Venue: Kenilworth Race Course; Date: 28 January
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts
Bring family and friends and relax on the lawns with a picnic and a glass of wine as the sun sets behind the mountain, while listening to a mixed selection of classical and contemporary music. The setting provides for one of the most spectacular concert venues in South Africa, the stage framed by the backdrop of Table Mountain and all around the well-kept beds of the Kirstenbosch Gardens.
Venue: Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens; Date: Every Sunday from 27 November 2005 to 2 April 2006; Time: 5.30pm to 6.30pm; Spier Summer Arts Festival
The annual summer program at Spier celebrates a proudly African line-up, presenting a diverse variety of performances. Music, theatre, film, comedy and the famous sunset Christmas carols all take place within the unique Winelands development in the Stellenbosch region.
Venue: Spier Wine Estate; Date: 6 December 2005 to 1 April 2006;Shakespeare at Maynardville Open-Air Theatre
Inspired by the annual productions in London's Regent Park, Shakespeare has been performed every summer at the open-air theatre in Wynberg, generally performed with a local twist to add to the entertainment. On warm summer evenings many theatre-goers begin the evening by picnicking in the park before the show begins. For more information phone (0)21 421 7695.
Venue: Maynardville Open-Air Theatre; Date: 10 January to 18 February 2006; Time: 8.15pm
Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour
The Argus is the largest timed sporting event on earth, attracting more than 35,000 cyclists from around the world. The spectacle is also enjoyed by thousands of spectators who line the 67-mile (108km) route, which follows some of the Cape's most spectacular coastal scenery. The race is enjoyed by serious cyclists and social riders alike.
Venue: Start: City Centre; Finish: Greenpoint Stadium; Date: 12 March Time: 6.15am;
Kirstenbosch Winter Concert Series
Come and enjoy Cape Town 's top musical talent in the warmth of the beautiful Silvertree Restaurant at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden. Tickets include a welcome drink and soup, and patrons are also welcome to have a main course or dessert and coffee during or after the concert. The annual event continues from the summer sunset concerts (November to April), ensuring visitors a treat in classical and contemporary music all year round.
Venue: Silvertree Restaurant; Date: April to October 2006, TBC; Time: 5.30pm to 8.30pm;
Two Oceans Marathon
Boasting some of the most spectacular scenery of any road event on earth, the Two Oceans has become the second most famous ultra-marathon in South Africa after the Comrades Marathon. Runners race over and around the mountains of Cape Town every Easter Saturday in what is well known internationally for its scenic beauty despite the gruelling course.
Featuring many of the Cape's top wine estates, producers and boutique wineries, with over 350 different wines to taste, the Wine Festival offers a unique opportunity to sample many of the Western Cape's finest wines under one roof. Chat to enthusiastic wine makers and mix with wine lovers in a relaxed environment. Complementing the wine is the adjacent Cheese Hall that offers an array of cheeses from boutique cheese manufacturers, as well as local deli products, olives and olive oils to taste and buy.
Cape Gourmet Festival
Widely acknowledged as South Africa's premier food, wine, travel and lifestyle event, the annual Gourmet Festival is a blend of culinary events showcasing its restaurant industry to the rest of the world. It is the only African associate of the esteemed World Gourmet Club in St Moritz and is the finest culinary festival on the continent, highlighting international as well as local foods. Incorporated into the extravaganza is the Good Food and Wine Show, the pinnacle of the festival, where chefs cook the best of contemporary South African cuisine.
Spring wildflowers
The West Coast National Park incorporates the Langebaan Lagoon and wetland areas, which are the habitat of thousands of migratory and resident waterbirds, a rocky coastline with some beautiful sea views and beaches, and wildlife scattered about the interior bushland. It also encompasses the rocky Postberg Peninsula that is carpeted in a glorious tapestry of wildflowers every spring (open August to September only). Visitors come from near and far to see the spectacularly colourful display that the pre-summer season produces all along the west coast. The small town of Darling is at the centre of the wildflower region; visitors can walk around the surrounding wildflower reserves and real enthusiasts can visit the Darling Wildflower Show, where the extravagant displays include the botanical and common names of all flowers exhibited. Call the Flower Hotline on 083 910 1028 for up-to-date information all year round.
Venue: Postberg Section of the West Coast National Park; Date: August to September; Hermanus Whale Festival
Celebrating the Southern Right Whale, the annual festival offers art and crafts, theatre, music, a half marathon and surf festival in addition to some of the best shore-based whale watching opportunities in the world. Every year from July to September the Southern Right Whales travel thousands of miles to the southern coast of South Africa to mate and calve in the bays.
Venue: Hermanus;
Mother City Queer Project (MCQP) Costume Party
Now in its 12th year, the 12-hour MCQP party is the biggest annual gay event in South Africa, attracting a diverse crowd of people from around the world. Each year party-goers come in teams dressed according to the theme that changes every year (The Circus in 2005). Costumes are usually elaborate, sexy and worn without inhibition. Different dance arenas play various types of music to party the night away.
Wavescapes
The first festival of its kind in South Africa, Wavescapes Surf Film Festival launched in December 2004, and will be an annual, national event that showcases the best international and local surf films following the popular revival of big screen surf movies around the world. In celebration of 'Surf-Afrikan' beach culture, top surf films will be shown to beachgoers and holidaymakers in venues that include outdoor screenings on the beach using South Africa's first inflatable cinema-sized screen.
Cape Town Restaurants
Wakame
$$$$$ | Japanese
The sister restaurant of Wasabe in Constantia, Wakame has a great position overlooking the ocean and is always packed with food and fashion connoisseurs. The focus is on sushi, but Wakame also serves excellent Modern European fare. There is a good bar and a small terrace, ideal for sundowners. In peak season there are two sittings and booking is essential.
A huge success story from day one, Constantia Uitsig is an Italian-French restaurant with Asian fusions set in picturesque wine country, backed by the Constantiaberg. Chef Frank Swainston continues to create food with broader influences now than this original Provencale-Tuscan mix, he claims Australian and Asian influences too these days. Next door is Uitsig's sister restaurant, La Colombe, serving richer food which some prefer, but the views are not as good. Booking essential.
For 15 years Blues has been synonymous with the spectacular views of Camps Bay. Be it a stormy winter's day or perfect sunlit afternoon, you will always find Blues as buzzy, busy and as fashionable as ever. The restaurant that introduced modern California cuisine to the Cape today boasts a menu incorporating Mediterranean and fusion influences with a focus on seafood. Book well in advance during peak season and expect slightly chaotic waitering. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Address: Victoria Road, Camps Bay; Tel: (021) 438 2040; E-mail:
Millers Thumb
$$$$$
Solly and Jane Solomon's refreshingly-casual seafood restaurant in uptown Cape Town, Miller's Thumb's ever-changing chalkboard menu means that the customer, though reasonably assured of always finding something familiar, will just as surely find a couple of unlikely options. Cajun and Creole dishes have their influence in this kitchen, as does a winning Japanese dish which must be tried at least once: 'Yaki Soba', a noodle dish with prawns, chicken and cashews, which has become a staple. There's generally a pasta dish or two on the menu with interesting sauces, complemented by a good choice of wines.
Five Flies is a sassy upmarket dining venue situated in the hub of Cape Town's legal and financial district. Great care has been taken with the interior renovations of this historic 18th-century building in order to create one of the unique dining experiences in the Cape. Executive Chef, Gerard van Staden has become renown for his artistic and delicious creations, which are presented together with some of the Cape's finest wines. Secure street parking available.
Situated just behind Camps Bay's main strip, the Codfather offers a unique presentation of fine fish. There is no menu at this low-key restaurant - you make your choice after a personal discourse with your waiter on the daily specials. It is then weighed, prepared to the highest standard and served at your table. Staff are all first class and provide a fine act. There is also a sushi bar. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Nestled above 4th Beach between Camps Bay and Sea Point, Clifton Beach House offers panoramic views of the majestic Twelve Apostles and the Clifton shoreline. The contemporary Mediterranean menu allows for alfresco lunches or dinners on the outside terrace, while inside dining lends itself to a more elegant and stylish ambience with sea-fresh fare, soft candlelight, cool uncluttered décor and a gleaming open-plan kitchen. Open daily.
Beluga is a stylish eatery located in the Foundry, a wonderful 100-year-old red-brick building that once housed one of the city's oldest metal works, now converted into a modern interior design and office centre in the heart of what is rapidly becoming Cape Town's film and modelling district. The restaurant offers the best of New World cuisine - plenty of robust flavours, interesting ingredients and generous portions - while the cocktail bar serves great drinks and retro-cocktails, and a welcoming café spills out onto an enclosed courtyard, serving light meals and coffees from early till late.
Address: The Foundry, Prestwich Street, Green Point; Tel: (021) 418 2948/9; Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
Location: The airport is situated 13 miles (20km) east of Cape Town. Time: GMT +2. Contacts: Tel: +27 (0)21 937 1200. Transfer to the city: Door-to-door minibus services are available for the journey to the city, taking approximately half an hour (R150). Many hotels operate courtesy buses, and taxis are available and cost R9 per km. Car rental: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Campbells, Imperial, Europcar, Levitts and Tempest are represented at the airport. Facilities: ATMs, bars, restaurants and currency exchange facilities are available throughout the airport. There are several shops, including duty-free in the International Departures' section. A VAT refund service is available by the International check in desk. Hotels reservations and tourist information are available in the International Terminal. There is a Vodacom shop in International Arrivals where visitors can buy local SIM cards for their mobile phones. A free magazine called TheOther Guide is handed out in International Arrivals; it's packed with ideas on where to eat and what to do in Cape Town that month. Departure tax: None.
Time: GMT +2. Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. Round, three-pin plugs are standard. Money: South Africa's currency is the Rand (ZAR), which is divided into 100 cents. Money can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and the larger hotels. ATMs are widely available (there is a daily limit for cash withdrawals) and major international credit cards are widely accepted, except in petrol stations where cash is required. Visitors should take care and be vigilant when drawing cash from ATMs as there is a high incidence of credit card fraud involving the use of ATMs. Travellers cheques and some foreign currencies are accepted at larger hotels and shops, but commission is charged, otherwise all commercial banks will exchange them.
Rates subject to change at any time
ZAR 1.00
ZAR 5.00
ZAR 10.00
ZAR 100.00
ZAR 1,000.00
AUD 0.22
AUD 1.09
AUD 2.19
AUD 21.90
AUD 218.96
CAD 0.19
CAD 0.96
CAD 1.92
CAD 19.23
CAD 192.31
GBP 0.09
GBP 0.47
GBP 0.93
GBP 9.32
GBP 93.19
USD 0.16
USD 0.82
USD 1.65
USD 16.46
USD 164.56
Language: South Africa has 11 official languages, including Afrikaans, English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho. English is widely spoken. Entry requirements for Americans: United States passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days for business or touristic purposes. Entry requirements for UK nationals: British passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days if passport is endorsed British Citizen or British Overseas Territories citizen. Those whose passports state British National (Overseas) may stay up to 30 days without a visa. All others require a visa. Visa extensions are possible if applied for at least 30 days before expiry date, and cost ZAR425. Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Entry requirements for Australians: Australian passport holders need a valid passport, but no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days. Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans who hold dual nationality should note that they are required to enter and leave the country on their South African passports. Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for at least 30 days beyond the period of intended stay. An onward or return ticket is required, as well as sufficient funds and documents needed for further travel. Note that visitors to South Africa must have at least one free page in their passport for endorsements. Embassy or Consulate in US: South African Embassy, Washington, United States: +1 202 232 4400 Embassy or Consulate in UK: South African Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7451 7299 Embassy or Consulate in Canada: South African High Commission, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 744 0330 Embassy or Consulate in Australia: South African High Commission, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 2424-7 US Embassy or Consulate: United States Embassy, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 342 1048 UK Embassy or Consulate: British High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 421 7733 Canadian Embassy or Consulate: Canadian High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 422 3000 Australian Embassy or Consulate: Australian High Commission, Pretoria: +27 (0)12 342 3740 Getting around: Cape Town and its suburbs sprawl for miles, but with the ocean and the dramatic landmarks of Table Mountain and Lions Head the city is fairly easy to navigate. Most of the hotels are situated along the Atlantic Seaboard, the five miles (eight km) of coast running from the central business district to Camps Bay, taking in Greenpoint, Seapoint and the Waterfront. Public transport is poor and often unsafe, so most visitors hire a car, particularly if planning excursions from the city. To rent a car, drivers need to be over 23 years old and have a credit card and a full driving license (the license must have a photo and be in English, otherwise an International Driving Permit is required). Minibus taxis are cheap and convenient and can be hailed if travelling short distances along a well-known route, but the vehicles are often in bad condition and the driving can be appalling. Passengers should expect to pay around R3 for most journeys within the city. Golden Arrow buses leave from the main bus terminal to destinations around the city; although timings can be erratic they can be a good option for those on a budget. Tourists are advised to avoid the trains, with the exception of the Simon's Town line, which runs around Table Mountain, through the smart residential Southern Suburbs, past Muizenberg and along the stunning False Bay coast. Taxis are expensive but are a good option at night for those without a car. Public transport should not be taken after dark and the outlying township areas should be avoided at all costs unless on an organised tour. Health: Travellers arriving in South Africa from infected areas require a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise no vaccinations are required. There is a malaria risk in the low-lying areas of the Northern Province and Mpumalanga (including the Kruger National Park) and northeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal, and precautions are advised when travelling to these areas. There is a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. Tap water is safe in urban areas but sterilisation is advisable elsewhere, as there are periodic outbreaks of cholera in the poor communities of rural South Africa, particularly in Northern KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo provinces. Food poisoning is rare. Medical facilities in South Africa are good, but medical insurance is strongly advised as private hospitals expect cash upfront and public hospitals are best avoided. Tipping: If a service charge is not included in the bill, waiters expect a tip of 10%. Tipping for services rendered is widely anticipated by porters, taxi drivers, golf caddies and petrol attendants. 'Car guards' operate in the city centres and tourist spots and will offer to look after your parked car; they are usually immigrants from neighbouring countries looking for work and will expect anything from R2 upwards on your return. Safety: Visitors to South Africa should be aware of the country's high incidence of crime. Although this tends to be concentrated in pockets throughout the country, for example in the township areas, opportunistic crime is fairly widespread. Travellers should always be aware of these risks and exercise the necessary precautions. Doors should be locked when driving and one should not walk alone at night in city streets, isolated beaches or remote areas. Berea and Hillbrow in Johannesburg are high risk areas and visitors should be cautious in the area. There have been recent incidents on hikers walking on Table Mountain in Cape Town and visitors should avoid walking alone on the mountain. One should be vigilant when using ATMs and carrying valuables. It is worthwhile noting that the South African authorities do give high priority to the protection of tourists. Communications: The international access code for South African is +27. The outgoing code is 09 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0944 for the United Kingdom). South Africa also has city codes. International phone cards cannot be used in South Africa. The country is served by three GSM mobile phone networks. Mobile service providers offer 'pay-as-you-go' Sim cards, which are a good option for visitors staying for some time. Internet cafes are widespread. Duty free: Travellers to South Africa do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars and 250g of tobacco; 2 litres wine and 1 litre spirits; perfume up to 50ml and 250ml eau de toilette; and other goods to the value of R3,000. All other goods brought in from abroad by residents of South Africa must be declared on arrival. These will be subject to import duties. For goods to be re-imported, travellers must complete a DA65 or NEP-form that is issued on departure. Prohibited items include meat and dairy products, all medication except for personal consumption, flick knives, ammunition, explosives and pornography containing minors and bestiality.
Cape Town Climate and Weather
South Africa is a large country and has diverse climactic regions, but in general the weather is sunny and hot in the summer months (December to April), and mild during winter (May to November). Gauteng and the northern areas of the country experience thunderstorms regularly during evenings in the summer months, and winters are usually warm during the day and cold at night. Winters in the Cape are cold and wet, and snow can fall on the mountain ranges. The weather is likely to be good in Cape Town between November and May, though strong winds, known as the South Easter, hits some areas including Camps Bay, in December and January.
