Tokai arboretum
The Tokai Arboretum is home to hundreds of different species of trees. Photo courtesy Ian Junor
The Tokai Arboretum is a park-like area on the slopes of Constantiaberg near the Silvermine Nature Reserve that’s ideally suited to walking, biking and learning about various tree species, including oaks and Californian redwoods.
The Tokai Arboretum was established in 1886 by Joseph Storr Lister, chief conservator of forests for the Cape Colony. The rationale was to test which trees from other parts of the world would grow well in this location. Hundreds of species are represented here, some of the individual trees being very old.
Take a long walk or bike ride in this peaceful setting, or use it as the starting point for a longer hike such as the 6km trail to Elephant’s Eye Cave and back. There is a tea room where you can buy refreshments.
To get there to the Tokai Arboretum, turn left off Tokai Road at the Tokai Manor House (built in 1795).
Don’t miss out on the Saturday organic market at the nearby Porter Estate.
Contact Cape Town Tourism’s Visitor Information Centre to find out more about accredited nature and adventure guides and operators, activities, restaurants and to book accommodation in the area.
- Phone: +27 21 787 9140
- Physical Address: Tokai Road, Tokai
Walking in Cape Town
Many visitors want to explore nature on higher ground as soon as they arrive in Cape Town and with Lion’s Head and Table Mountain beckoning, many do get to experience the local flora and fauna on foot. However, the entire peninsula can be enjoyed by avid walkers. From Blouberg Beach, with its picture perfect views from its sandy shores, to the more adventurous guided Hoerikwaggo Trails along the spine of Table Mountain, visitors have an expanse of ground to cover.
St James
Just a little further on from Cape Town’s well-known Muizenberg beach (with its ubiquitous Victorian bathing boxes) is St James.
African Wildlife
Although Cape Town and the Western Cape are probably not the best places to experience a safari (Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal provinces are better known for that), it is possible to have an encounter with South Africa’s big game not far from the Mother City.
Llandudno and Sandy Bay
Only 18km from the Cape Town city centre, an arc of fine white sand gives away the secluded location of one of Cape Town’s most beautiful beaches, Llandudno.
Macassar Dunes Project
The Macassar Dunes Project is located on the Cape Town coast adjacent to Macassar and Khayelitsha and is bounded by the Eerste River, Baden Powell Drive and False Bay.
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