Beyond Cape Town

Beyond Cape Town’s borders is an exciting wealth of tourism experiences to be had. If you have the time and resources to head out of the Mother City, the greater Western Cape is well worth exploring.

Embracing the southernmost tip of Africa, the province is roughly the size of England, covering a 129 370 km2 area – about 10,6% of South Africa’s total – and with a population of approximately 5,3 million.

Geographically, the Western Cape is exceptionally diverse, ranging from sandstone mountains with fertile valleys, to arid semi-desert in the Karoo. Here are just a few of the many places worth a visit …

Head north for …

The West Coast region is located along the southwest coast of South Africa, an unapologetically down-to-earth area crammed with nature.

The coastal route from Cape Town is about 270 km and includes 16 Mile Beach at Yzerfontein, the stunning West Coast National Park, Langebaan Lagoon, and the charming seaside towns of Velddrif and Paternoster, where time rolls back to a gentler age. Elands Bay at the mouth of the Verlorenvlei River is an unspoilt surfer’s paradise.

Travel inland to the Riebeek Valley, a haven for artists and a rare culinary treat, or head off to the Matzikamma coastal region where you can enjoy whale-watching, fishing and bird-watching.

Partake in an outdoor seafood feast or enjoy a glass of local wine from one of the friendly cellars along the Cape West Coast Wine Route; the Olifants River Vodacom Wine Route, the Darling Wine Experience and the Swartland Wine Route.

Located in the heart of crayfish country is Lamberts Bay with its famous Bird Island, where you can buy your meal straight off the boat. Explore the historic mission stations of Wupperthal, or take a hike through the Cederberg Wilderness.

Head east for …

The Cape Overberg boasts endless kilometres of sandy white beaches and pristine vegetation. Between July and November each year, southern right whales frolic in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. For unparalleled whale-watching, visit the quaint seaside town of Hermanus.

The unique experience of witnessing the meeting of the mighty Atlantic and Indian oceans at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of the African continent, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Visit one of the many museums up the coastline, including the Fishing and Shipwreck museums and the Apple Museum in the Elgin Valley. Historic mission stations can be found in the towns of Elim and Genadendal. Pack a picnic basket and go hiking in the dune fields of De Hoop Nature Reserve, or journey on to coastal Gansbaai, which boasts the ‘Big 2’ of the mammal kingdom, namely the southern right whale and great white shark.

Rural Villiersdorp is known as the ‘Pearl of the Cape Overberg’, boasting magnificent mountains, the Theewaterskloof Dam and award-winning wine farms. At Malgas, drive along the banks of the Breede River to where the last remaining manually operated ‘pont’ waits to ferry you across the mighty river. This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all that there is to see and do in this scenically splendid Cape Overberg region.

The semi-arid Klein Karoo is a magical landscape dotted with ‘feather palaces’ built by 19th century ostrich feather barons, spectacular mountain passes, hot springs, long-neck ostriches and the world-renowned Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn.

The Klein Karoo also plays host to Route 62, reputedly the longest wine route in the world, along which South Africa’s ‘port wine capital’ is situated.

Along the Garden Route, a semi-Mediterranean climate complements the scenic magnificence of the region. Endless stretches of pristine beach, lakes, rivers, lagoons, mountains, valleys and forests abound.

The Garden Route’s Knysna area is a natural Eden. Track the mysterious Knysna forest elephant, take a sunset yacht cruise, hike or cycle in the beautiful forests, stroll on the beach, or slurp world-famous Knysna oysters.

Just beyond Knysna is Plettenberg Bay, one of the most scenically splendid coastal towns on the Garden Route. Popularly referred to as Plett, it offers kilometres of pristine beaches, whale- and
dolphin-watching, world-class 18-hole championship golf courses, a village atmosphere and spectacular walks and hikes. Nearby is the Bloukrans Bridge, off which you can do the world’s highest fixed bungee jump (at a whooping 216 m).

Drive a little further, and on the very eastern border of the Western Cape is Storms River and the magnificent Tsitsikamma National Park, home to the giant Outeniqua yellowwood tree and a wealth of bird- and wildlife, including the famed Knysna loerie (Turaco). The park is Africa’s oldest and largest marine reserve. This rugged and unspoilt coastline offers some of the most spectacular walking and hiking trails in the world.

Head northeast for …

The Cape Karoo region, with its vast, arid plains and mountain ranges, makes up most of an ancient area that is dotted with historic, hospitable towns, wildlife, fossils, a wine route and a wide variety of eco and adventure activities.

A legacy of the indigenous Khoisan people is the wonderfully intriguing rock art to be found inside caves and caverns and on rock formations.

The pristine Karoo National Park is home to a number of endangered animal species and some exceptional fossil trails. It is a place of quiet repose, replenishment and inner peace.

Need help?

If you can’t find what you’re looking for and need some assistance planning your trip, get in touch with the helpful team at Cape Town Tourism.

Pop into any one of the conveniently located visitor information centres across the city, call the contact centre on +27 (0)21 487 6800, or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The contact centre is open between 08h00 and 21h00. The team is trained to assist local and international visitors.

You can also view our online accommodation and tours databases for more exciting Cape Town adventures.