Accommodations in South africa

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western-cape, accommodations

The Western Cape is South Africa’s tourism Mecca, offering visitors everything from white beaches and beautiful oceans to mountains and semi-deserts. With balmy summer days and mild winters, a host of natural and man-made sights and an enormous variety of activities, this province genuinely has something for everyone.

Its capital, Cape Town, is known as the ‘Mother City’ because it was the first city in South Africa. It has a history dating back more than 350 years, with old historical sites - such as the famous five-pointed Castle of Good Hope - resting comfortably alongside the new, such as World Heritage site Robben Island and the new Green Point Stadium, which hosted one of the 2010 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. Natural sights abound too, including the landmark Table Mountain, the famous Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and Camps Bay beach, one of Cape Town’s largest and most beautiful stretches of ocean front.

Of course, the Western Cape is about more than just Cape Town. Visit the southernmost tip of Africa at Cape Agulhas, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet. Or travel the renowned Wine Route, wining and dining at some of the country’s award-winning wine estates and gourmet restaurants. Travel to Worcester in the Boland, South Africa’s largest producer of brandy, or visit Hermanus, the whale-watching capital of the world.

In the Ceres valley you can find some of the finest deciduous fruit produced in the country, or you can experience private nature reserves, view ancient rock art sites or get into a host of activities such as quad-biking,mountain biking,horseback riding,hiking,fishing,bird watching and golfing.

For those of a more gentle persuasion, there is the world famous flower season in the West Coast National Park, where 80 species of flowering plants can be found that occur nowhere else in the world. Or journey along the Garden Route, which has lush forests and meandering rivers and offers a wide range of adventure activities such as scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, canoeing, rafting, surfing, hiking, hang-gliding and bungee jumping.

Whether you plan a holiday of tranquillity or action, and if your preference is thieving city nightlife or the quiet of nature, the Western Cape can offer you everything you need and more.

The Western Cape – it’s more than just a holiday adventure, it’s a lifestyle experience!

Things to do

Bloukrans Bridge along the Cape Garden Route has the world's highest commercial bungee jump (216m).
The longest zipslide in Africa is found in Ceres.
Get close to the largest creatures on earth during the Whale Watching season in Hermanus.
Visit Langa, Nyanga and Gugulethu, the oldest townships in Cape Town, to experience authentic local culture, cuisine and music.
See Robben Island, where political prisoners from the Apartheid era - including Nelson Mandela - were housed.
Try shark cage diving in the Great White Shark capital of the world.
Swim with African Penguins at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town.
See the lighthouse at Danger Point and look out over the place where the famous HMS Birkenhead – the ship that gave rise to the principle of "women and children first" - was shipwrecked.
Go kitesurfing along the Cape West Coast.
Visit the Simon’s Town museums to learn the heart-warming story of the Western Cape’s most famous Great Dane, Able Seaman Just Nuisance, R.N.

Top Festivals and Events

The world's largest individually timed cycle race (over 35 000 cyclists) takes place in March. The Cape Argus Cycle Tour encompasses a 109km route around the Cape peninsular.
The West Coast Lagoon Festival is in March and offers something for everyone – from music to kitesurfing to radio-control aircraft exhibitions.
The Two Oceans Marathon takes place in April, covering 56kms between the Indian and Atlantic oceans.
The Stellenbosch Wine Festival is the Cape region's premier wine event and takes place in July.
The Klein Karoo Klassique is a festival of classical music cuisine, wines and art, taking place in Oudtshoorn in August.
The Clanwilliam Wild Flower Show occurs in August and has been a standing tradition for flower fanatics for close to 40 years.
The Hermanus Whale Festival takes place in September and October and is the only Enviro-Arts festival in the country.
The Simons Town Penguin Festival is in October and celebrates the Cape’s cuddliest bird.
The Cape Military Tattoo at the Castle of Good Hope takes place in November and is part of a tradition that dates back to the 17th Century.
The Cape Minstrel Carnival starts in the historic District 6 and is the biggest and most raucous carnival in Cape Town, celebrating the New Year with dances, competitions and extravagant parades.

Things you should know

Summertime temperatures at the coast average around lows of 15°C (59°F) to highs of 27°C (80.6°F). Inland, temperatures average between 3°C and 5°C higher.
Winter is the rainy season, so pack warmly and ensure you have your raincoat or umbrella.
If going out in the sun – summer or winter – ensure you have adequate protection in the form of sun lotion. UV intensity is high and sunburn can easily occur.
While most locals dress casually, certain restaurants insist on a ‘smart casual’ dress code – in the Cape, this generally means no jeans and closed shoes.
It is customary to tip waiters, waitresses, wine stewards, taxi drivers, porters and caddies – the standard is 10%-15%.