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The Western Cape
| The Western Cape has a unique cultural and natural
heritage and a rural easy-going atmosphere coupled with a first world infrastructure.
Experience the diversity of the Western Cape!
INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE COURTESY OF
THE WESTERN CAPE TOURISM BOARD
[Click on logo above to visit their site]
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Cape Metropole
A range of jagged mountains thrusting into the splendid desolation
of the southern Atlantic, the Cape Peninsula is one of the world's most
beautiful places. Cape Town, the South Peninsula, Blaauwberg, Helderberg,
Tygerberg and Oostenberg form the Cape Metropolitan Area, a large and
verdant expanse stretching from the foot of Table Mountain to the Hottentots
Holland range in the purple distance. Sandy shores, mountain peaks,
wildlife parks, forests and dunes permeate this diverse southern wonder-world,
which has enticed visitors since the first seafarers sailed into Table
Bay and coined the descriptive phrase the fairest cape in the whole
circumference of the earth.
With a bustling, cosmopolitan city life alongside its spectacular scenery,
the Cape Metropolitan Area's six regions offer everything the discerning
visitor could wish for.
The South Peninsula, home to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, is
a dazzling showcase of the area's indigenous flora and fauna. Cape Town,
the cosmopolitan hub of the area, was voted third in a recent international
poll of top tourist destinations - and for good reason. Its pristine
beaches are a stone's throw from the pulse of the Victoria & Alfred
Waterfront, where upmarket shopping malls, arts and crafts markets,
theatres and live music uniquely meld with the surrounding working harbour.
Museums and art galleries abound and South Africa's oldest building,
the Castle of Good Hope, is in the city centre - not far from the cobbled
streets of the Bo-Kaap with their delightful old buildings.
The Blaauwberg region, which boasts the best views of Table Mountain,
South Africa's most famous landmark, is a favourite of windsurfers and
kite-flyers alike. Ratanga Junction, the wildest theme park in Africa,
is also situated in this region. Tygerberg has both a commercial and
residential area as well as fertile farmlands, while Oostenberg is home
to sweeping vistas of undulating vineyards. The beautiful Helderberg
is the sixth region, offering unsurpassed whale-watching vantage points
and a myriad scenic mountain walks.
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West Coast
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The West Coast is a region of extreme beauty and contrast. Stretching
over 400km from south to north, the region and its people offer visitors
plenty of sunshine and a surprising variety of travel destinations. To
the west, the region borders the Atlantic Ocean. The solitary coast's
scenic beauty is challenged only by rich culinary experiences of plump
mussels, oysters, calamari, crayfish and abalone in season or linefish
pulled from the Benguela Current's cold waters and fried to gold. All
are best enjoyed at a sunset fishbraai enlivened by a good wine and the
spontaneous, light-hearted banter of hard-working, hard-playing locals.
The area is a bird watcher's paradise - cawing, white-breasted gulls wheel
high on the seawind above thousands of gannets made featureless by their
distinct, yellow-painted faces, while flamingoes colour the sky pink and
swift, darting terns give the lie to the martial imperiousness of ever-aloof
penguins. In addition, every year migrating whales visit the coastal waters
from July. The eastern border is formed by a belt of mountains with fascinating,
often awe-inspiring rock formations. The Cedarberg Wilderness area offers
visitors a face-to-face encounter with nature at its most unspoiled as
well as rock paintings that dramatically pre-date the world as we know
it. Adjacent to the mountains is the Swartland, well known for its undulating
wheat fields, vineyards, wineries and outdoor activities.
Further north, visitors encounter the fertile Olifants River Valley and
the vast plains of the Knersvlakte with its wealth of indigenous succulent
plants. The Olifant's River Valley is cultivated intensively with an emphasis
on citrus and other fruits, vegetables and vineyards. The West Coast and
its hinterland is a cultural experience of museums, monuments and mission
stations such as Mamre and Wupperthal. It offers activities such as exploration
in a fossil park, hang-gliding, sky-diving, mountain-biking, 4x4 routes,
watersports and hiking. The experience extends also to a superb array
of local wines, fresh seafood and other delectable fare, as well as a
health-giving herbal drink, rooibos tea. In spring, carpets of wild flowers
cover the region from the coast to the mountains. Spring flowers and fynbos
are a constantly changing wonder attracting hikers and nature-lovers throughout
the year.
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Winelands
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Whether it is its magnificent natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage
or its world-renowned wines, the Winelands Region is synonymous with all
the best that the Cape has to offer. A 45-minute drive from Cape Town
brings you to this area where splendid mountains form a dramatic backdrop
to lush vineyards and gabled Cape Dutch homesteads steeped in history.
Come experience the hospitality and beauty of Stellenbosch, Paarl, Wellington,
Franschhoek and Pniel. The diversity of the Winelands will capture every
heart.
Follow in the footsteps of our ancestors as you stroll along the oak-lined
streets of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in the country. Our colourful
history comes to life in the splendidly restored Cape Dutch, Georgian
and Victorian buildings in each town. Monuments such as the Huguenot Memorial
and Afrikaans Language Monument and the many outstanding museums provide
a fascinating glimpse into the past.
The excellent wines produced in this area are world-renowned You will
be spoilt for choice between small, boutique wineries and the larger,
more commercial wine estates.
Taste the fruit of the vintner’s labour in the magnificent surrounds that
are so characteristic of the Winelands, or join the winemaker on a tour
of his cellar where the precious harvest is lovingly transformed into
every wine lover’s delight. To revive fatigued taste buds, the Winelands
boasts some of the finest restaurants in the Cape, offering from traditional
fare to the more exotic. And don’t miss out on other culinary delights
produced in the region such as cheese, olives, herbs, berries and much
more.
With its ragged mountains and fertile valleys, the Winelands is paradise
to nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Invigorating hikes through the
many nature reserves in the area will have you marvelling at the indigenous
fynbos that flourishes here. Whether you enjoy the thrill of tearing down
the hillside on a mountain bike, or relaxing next to a tranquil river
catching trout, the exhilaration of a hot-air balloon-ride over the granite
outcrops of Paarl Mountain or savouring the beauty of the setting sun
on horseback, the Winelands will surpass your every expectation.
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Garden Route
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To many who have visited it, the Garden Route has a mysterious allure.
A most unusual part of Africa, it is also the sunny corner of the Cape
where evergreen forests, verdant fields, tranquil inland lakes, sparkling
bays and pristine beaches languish in a sultry Mediterranean climate.
Stretching along the southern Cape coast from Heidelberg in the west to
the Tsitsikamma Forest and Storms River in the east, the region's entrance
to the interior is barred by towering mountains breached by breathtaking
passes and gorges. The silence evoked by its ever-changing landscape carries
on its still, fragrant, sea-scented air a sense of the spiritual. With
so much of the Garden Route's beauty unspoilt, visitors may feel they
have been set free to play in God's backyard.
A well-developed tourist infrastructure has strung the region's towns
along its coast like a string of pearls. In all of them, artists, writers,
naturalists and nature lovers co-exist with those devoting their time
and energies to catering to the whims and special fancies of the area's
year-round visitors. This is where the Outeniqua Choo-Tjoe still steams
its way between George and Knysna every day. And where the whales come
to calve and mate in the many unspoiled bays. Importantly, it's an area
boasting two national parks - Tsitsikamma and Wilderness - as well as
numerous other provincial and private nature reserves.
A treasure trove of history, culture, food, sport and entertainment awaits
you between Heidelberg and Plettenberg Bay. Indeed, the Garden Route is
a veritable playground, offering every sport imaginable - from golf to
scuba-diving, abseiling to mountain biking. Beyond this, there are those
unforgettable wild and lonely reaches that will touch your soul and revive
your spirit.
Welcome to the Garden Route - a taste of Eden.
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Klein Karoo
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The Little Karoo has a spectacular landscape fashioned almost entirely
by water, with vegetation ranging from lush greenery in the fertile river
valleys to short, rugged Karoo plants in the veld. Gorges follow rivers
that cut through towering mountains, while breathtakingly steep passes
cross imposing terrain. The long, narrow valley is rich in geological
shapes, being home to the spectacular Cango Caves, a series of magnificent,
glittering limestone caverns fashioned over millennia beneath the foothills
of the Swartberg Range. The region also boasts many species of indigenous
plants, and is the natural habitat of the largest bird in the world -
the ostrich.
However, the region is also profoundly rich in culture and history. The
annual Klein Karoo Kunstefees draws thousands of arts lovers to enjoy
music, theatre and dance, while Bushman paintings offer a drawcard equally
strong. A climate dominated by the sun produces excellent Port wines,
honey-sweet fruits, raisins and cheese.
Three beautifully-set Mission Stations depict a quaint and unique architecture
of a century ago, while attractive sandstone mansions, or Feather Palace's
remind one of the heady days when the ostrich feather industry was at
its peak. Oudtshoorn, the centre of the ostrich industry, has remained
the region's leading town.
Sunny conditions inspire the regions popular pastimes, which include hiking,
mountain-biking, 4x4 excursions, caving, climbing, horse riding, bird-watching,
fishing and much, much more. The main road through the Little Karoo Kannaland
is the R62 - the Great Alternative Scenic Route - stretching from Cape
Town via Worcester, Montagu and Oudtshoorn (approximately 4 hours) to
the coast and Port Elizabeth.
Visiting the region's towns and meeting the friendly, open-hearted locals
is truly a worthwhile experience - one that you will, indeed, forever
remember and cherish.
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Central Karoo
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About 280-million years ago, when the earth was much younger, the Great
Karoo was a vast swamp. Today, among the world's most fascinating arid
zones, it is a place of infinite horizons and endless plains, rimmed by
blue mountains. Visually, it is stark, but its very starkness distills
into grandiose beauty that is often awesome. Sunsets and dawns stun with
their vivid bursts of colour and cloud shows, while night skies are filled
with stars you can almost touch.
The Karoo, the world's largest plateau outside Asia, is five times the
size of great Britain and considered a wonder of the scientific world.
Its name comes from the indigenous word for thirstland. In South Africa
it stands alone; globally the region is an envied rarity. Ancient and
fossil-rich, the Karoo features the largest variety of succulents found
anywhere on earth. Some of the world's most important archeological and
stone age sites are located in the Karoo. A rich legacy of rock art and
artifacts makes it integral to the work of many scientists. A myriad species
of indigenous and rare game roam these plains, while birdlife is abundant.
Over a century ago, British soldiers, with all the paraphernalia of battle,
moved across the plains of the Karoo to engage the Boers in the Anglo-Boer
War. Now lonely graves dot these plains and the silent blockhouses still
guard the railway lines as grim reminders of those turbulent times.
The Karoo is indeed a place of infinite enchantment and mystery. Those
who linger in its vastness soon sense the magic are drawn back again and
again.
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Breede River Valley
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An area of magnificent views, panoramic landscapes and towering cliffs,
crystal-clear streams, an abundance of trees and indigenous flora, the
Breede River Valley is the largest of the Western Cape's three fruit and
wine producing valleys. Mountains, the highest peaks of which are capped
with snow in winter, surround this heavily cultivated region, graced with
orchards, vineyards and wheatlands.
The Breede River Valley is also known as the Wine Belt of the Western
Cape, with a harmoniously balanced terrain and climate. Innovation and
pride are the main ingredients of the region's winemakers, resulting in
their success and prominence.
Ceres, a principal town in the area, was named after the Roman goddess
of fertility, which should come as no surprise. It is surely one of the
most fertile farming areas in South Africa. With the Piketberg and Bokkeveld
areas, the region dominates South Africa's exports of peaches and pears.
Robertson, Worcester, McGregor and Montagu are rich in the ingredients
a vintner needs to create noble wines. Cool summer breezes blow in off
the sea, chill winters provide rest for the vines and a fertile, lime-rich
soil nourishes the future pleasures of people around the world.
Nature-lovers and those seeking tranquillity, sparkling air and fruit-off-the-tree
need look no further than this lovely valley. Fifteen easily accessible
towns nestle in the valley and the multitude of attractions offer the
opportunity for discovery. From visits to wineries and tours of culture-rich
towns to game reserve excursions, glimpses of tribal art and museums,
or the outdoor excitement of mountain-biking or hiking trails, the Breede
River Valley has it all! The R62 between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth
winds through this area. This alternative route to Port Elizabeth passes
all the main gems of the Breede River Valley.
You will soon discover that there are few places on our planet as stunningly
beautiful as the Breede River Valley, named after the snake-like river
that winds its way across kilometres of unspoilt landscape. We look forward
to welcoming you!
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Overberg
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In the most southerly region of Africa, only one hour east of Cape Town,
lies the Fairest Cape's best kept secret, a fertile area surrounded by
mountains and sea. Simply called the Overberg, it is the traveller's reward
for breaching the mountain barriers which divide it from the rest of the
country. To early settlers it represented the land beyond the mountains
of Africa, a region rich in resources as well as boundless treasures.
The Overberg coast, also called the Whale Coast, has the distinction of
splitting the oceans. At Cape Agalhas, the southernmost tip of the continent,
the waters are cleaved into the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. The foothills
of the mountains, covered in a wealth of indigenous fynbos, roll down
through green and gold wheat and sheep country to the lighthouse here.
Apart from the cry of seagulls and the endless beat of the surf along
a holiday-friendly shoreline - which also gives rest to the wreckage of
scores of luckless ships - silence prevails and solitude is easy to find.
A scattering of tiny seaside resorts in the vicinity attract regular caravanners,
campers and fishermen. In contrast is Hermanus, a bustling town where
crowds flock to watch migrating whales between June and November. The
region offers visitors a myriad other activities, such as golf, hiking,
birdwatching, canoeing, mountain biking, architectural tours, historical
tours, fynbos and flower trails and, of course, unending opportunities
to indulge in fine food and wine.
This superb coastal area, stretching from Hangklip to the mouth of the
Breede River, can be approached from the Cape Peninsula over the dramatic
Sir Lowry's Pass along the N2 national road, by a coastal road carved
from the sea cliffs from Gordon's Bay, through the Kogelberg Biosphere
- the only one in South Africa. The area can also be journeyed into from
other regions of the Western Cape Province such as the Winelands, the
Garden Route, the Breede River and the Klein Karoo.
The Overberg is just waiting for you to discover it!
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