NOTES ON SOUTH AFRICA - PART 1: CAPE TOWN
I had the privilege of leading Signature's first educational trip to South Africa & Bots
wana. I traveled with a wonderful group of travel professionals from our network, who were visiting for the first time. I wanted to share some of my notes from the trip:
For travelers to South Africa, a visit to Cape Town is a must. The city is by far South Africa's #1 destination, and it's easy to see why. First - the physical setting is stunning, with Table Mountain (3,000 ft high) in the center of the metropolitan area, surrounded by many beautiful beaches. Very few cities (Rio and Sydney come to mind) that can compete with Cape Town for sheer natural beauty. Second - the dining, shopping, culture on offer is world-class. In fact, Cape Town was voted this year's 'Design Capital' of the world. A number of neighborhoods (especially near the waterfront) are being rehabilitated and have become destinations unto themselves. Third, the range of options of things to see and do is phenomenal - from abseiling off Table Mountain to hiking up Lion's Head, and much more. Finally, Cape Town is the perfect 'base camp' from which to explore the region, including vineyards, the Cape Peninsula, and many other wonderful places.
A FEW 'MUST SEES' IN AND AROUND CAPE TOWN ARE:
- Table Mountain Cableway. This is Cape Town's top attraction, so get there early to avoid standing in line for hours in the hot sun. From FEB to NOV the cable car opens at 8am, somy advice is to be at the station at 745am/8am at the latest, to be one of the first groups to go up. The later you arrive, the longer the wait. Once you reach the summit, there are stunning
- views from multiple lookouts, as well as hiking trails from one end to the other. For the more adventuresome travelers, suggest hiking up to Table Mountain (2-3 hours, depending on how fit you are), which can be arranged by your tour operator or hotel concierge.
- Castle of Good Hope and Company's Gardens. The castle was built by the Dutch in the 17th century, and today hosts a military museum and interior displays giving you a taste of what life was like when the Dutch governed the Cape Peninsula.
- Robben Island. This is a memorial to all the South Africans who were incarcerated here, including Nelson Mandela. A visit here is not for everyone, however. First, you have the ferry ride, which can be rocky and crowded. In addition, the visit to the prisons is moving and disturbing. If you are visiting, make sure you get tickets way in advance. Another option is to arrange a private boat to./from the island, via your tour operator or hotel concierge, to avoid the crowds.
- Camp's Bay. My favorite beach in Cape Town will not disappoint you. This is a great place to come for lunch, and take in the views of the sea and 12 Apostles mountains in the distance.
- Outside of Cape Town, do not miss a visit to the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach (to visit the African penguin colony) near Simon's Town, and catch the views of Hout Bay and Chapman's Bay on the way South. If your clients are interested in food and wine, suggest lunch at Chef Bruce's new restaurant in Simon's Town, called The Flagship. Lunch will be a 3 hour affair, but the experience is unforgettable, as Chef Bruce prepares a new menu every day, using only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients.
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