Cape Town Travel Information

The City of Cape Town on the Southern tip of Africa is a famous melting pot of cultures and a prime tourist destination. Dubbed the “Mother City”, this location offers every desirable tourist activity under the sun so dont get stuck without car hire in Cape Town.

"Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder"

Cape Town is internationally known as one of the most picturesque travel destinations. Its trendy beaches and the iconic Table Mountain, together with the impressive floral surrounds, wine route travel and the majestic Cape Peninsula justify this perception. It isn’t surprising then that it has been rated the most popular tourist destination in Africa, even outshining Cairo in the popularity polls. Part of its fame can be attributed to its favourable climate, natural splendour and first-rate infrastructure which make visiting the city a pleasure.

A Clash of Cultures

The history of the city is multifaceted and the reason for its cosmopolitan nature today. Everywhere you look there is evidence of its worldly identity: the Victorian architecture, traditional mosques, and upmarket, sophisticated boutiques and eateries point out the different cultural influences. This amalgamation resulted from the occupation of the region by the Indonesian, French, British, Dutch, and German settlers, as well as local Bushmen and the arrival of Hottentot and Bantu tribes over the years.

Top 5 Tourist Attractions

Cape Town City Travel is guaranteed to satisfy every taste – no matter how quirky or conventional. The list of to-dos is endless and will keep you and your fellow travellers enthralled for days. The variety of attractions range from the historical and architectural, to those orientated towards the outdoors and adventure.

* Table Mountain

Undeniably the city’s most breathtaking sight, Table Mountain recently made it into the final round of the New 7 Wonders of Nature contest. You can choose to either take a cable car up to the top or can enjoy a challenging walk through the Skeleton Gorge trail. Once you have completed the climb, the unbeatable views of the city will make the experience worthwhile.

* Robben Island

Located in Table Bay just below Table Mountain, Robben Island is a major symbol of South Africa’s segregated past. It is famously known for the isolated prison it hosted during the Apartheid years when political opposition figures such as former President and Nobel Laureate Nelson Mandela were forced to stay there for many years.

* Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

Situated at the foot of Table Mountain, the magnificient Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens hold more than 20’ 000 native plant species that can be observed at your own leisure. You will need at least an hour to stroll around the lower part of the gardens, or you can enjoy a shorter walk along the pathways of the slopes. Must-see attractions include the scented, protea, herb, and rock gardens. Don’t forget to stop off at the Bird Bath, a pool that occupies the centre of a shady area inhabited by 70-year-old yellowwood trees.

* Victoria and Albert Waterfront

Built in 1860 the V & A Waterfront is first and foremost an entertainment quarter that attracts over 13 million visitors annually. Its eclectic array of shops, restaurants, hotels and theatres attract crowds all year round – especially in the cold winter months. Named after Queen Victoria and her second son Alfred, this continues to be one of the liveliest locations in Cape Town.

* Chapman’s Peak Drive

This scenic meandering drive will take you from Hout Bay around Chapman’s Peak to Noordhoek on the Atlantic Coast, where you will experience the most impressive marine drive in the world. This 9km route has a total of 114 curves and offers travelers a marvelous 180° view of the surrounds. Stop off along the way at any one of the several picnic spots to absorb the natural beauty – if you are lucky enough, you may even spot a Southern Right whale. Be aware that the road has been under construction for the past few months and is set to reopen in October 2009, well in time for the 2010 World Cup.

Source: Car Hire Cape Town

Travel in Cape Town

Cape Town, the international diamond of South Africa. Cape Town truly epitomizes the ethos of South Africa. Cape Town offers the discerning traveller a world of choice and has been described as the most beautiful city in the world. The most fun way to see this melting pot of culture, nature and history is by booking a self drive holiday by renting a car from one of the many professional value for money Cape Town car rental companies.

Dominating this city is the majestic and famous Table Mountain which displays spectacular views of both the 'city bowl' as it is known, as well as the surrounding nature reserve of the Cape Peninsula. Travel in Cape Town has never been easier than with a rental car; you can make your way to the base station and once there, take one of the ultra-modern cable cars to the summit. On arrival at this pinnacle there are various of nature trails you can choose from, for example, the Agama Walk which shows unsurpassed views of the statuesque beauty of Cape Town. The weather plays a large part in determining the opening of Table Mountain, so ensure that you gauge the weather before your excusion, as the cable cars do not run in high winds.

You can spend your time at the 'Victoria and Albert' Waterfront which is an international shopping mecca. When you travel in Cape Town, everything is at your fingertips; you pack a picnic, indulge in a harbour cruise or even take a jaunt in a helicopter to discover the aerial vistas of both Cape Town and the surrounding towns. A special highlight will be a tour of the fabulous brewery located right on the waterfront, and indulge in the taste of the world famous South African beer right on tap, which is of the best quality in the world.

About five miles off the coast of this beautiful city lies probably one of the most famous islands in the world. Robben Island is where Nelson Mandela. Historically the island has been utilised as a colony for lepers and by the military. Its conflicted past is a vital insight for any traveller who has an interest in apartheid, which is the term that was coined to describe South Africa's policy of segregation by race. The tours are made more poignant by the fact that they are conducted by former inmates and political prisoners and as such they bring a bittersweet insight as to the conditions of this prison. The island was awarded the honour of being designanted a World Heritage Site. And no travel to Cape Town is complete without some time spent on this island.

Hiring a car to travel in Cape Town is the easiest way to see Cape Point which can be found at the very edge of the Cape Peninsula. From the viewing deck one is able to experience a tingling vista of False Bay and during the winter months this area is a whale and dolphin spotting paradise! The Cape of Good Hope provides a unique view of the point at where the mighty Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and bears a plaque detailing the fact that this is the most south western place on the continent of Africa.

All wine lovers must travel in Cape Town to the nearby towns of Stellenbosch and Constantia to enjoy the vineyards which make many award winning wines.The surrounding area offer a unique perspective of Cape-Dutch architecture with traditional homes nestled in the tree lined valleys and avenues.The independence of having a hire car means that travel in Cape Town is easy and enables you to plan your own trips and organize wine tasting tours of these famous vineyards.

Boulders Beach is a fun outing for the whole family that urges a visit. You can view a colony of natural African penguins as well as enjoy the beauty of the small seaside towns along the way. With Cape Town car rentals, the city is at your fingertips and you can decide on your own itinerary. It is a unique way to explore the Cape in a fun and fascinating way.

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