Where Business, Tech and Innovation Collide in Cape Town!
TECHSPO Cape Town 2024 is a two day technology expo taking place October 16th - 17th, 2024 at the luxurious Westin Cape Town Hotel, Cape Town, Africa. TECHSPO Cape Town brings together developers, brands, marketers, technology providers, designers, innovators and evangelists looking to set the pace in our advanced world of technology. Exhibitors showcase the next generation of technology & innovation, including; Internet, Mobile, Adtech, Martech and SaaS technologies. Be prepared to be inspired, amazed and educated on how these evolving technologies will impact your business for the better.
As part of TECHSPO Cape Town is a limited attendance event, DigiMarCon Africa 2024 Digital Marketing Conference (https://digimarconafrica.com). If the conference is where the learning, theory and inspiration happens, then the TECHSPO floor is where the testing, networking and product interaction takes place.
The TECHSPO floor is free to attend (for a limited time)! Register today! For more details visit https://techspocapetown.co.za.
The Westin Cape Town Hotel, Cape Town, AfricaCape Town is the second largest city in South Africa and is the capital of the Western Cape Province, as well as being the legislative capital of South Africa (the Houses of Parliament are here). It is located in the south-west corner of the country near the Cape of Good Hope, and is the most southern city in Africa. It is a stone’s throw from South Africa’s world-famous Cape Winelands around Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek.
Cape Town is also known as Kaapstad (in Afrikaans) or the Mother City/Moederstad in South Africa. It is also one of the most iconic cities in the world.
Cape Town is less safe than you will be led to believe. As a newbie in town, you simply do not know the bad areas. ALWAYS take a taxi from the central bus station after dark. Better still, take one in the day time too, until you are more familiar of where to and where not to go, alone and loaded down with baggage. The police keep a fairly high profile during daylight hours, but less so at night. You’ll get little help from the locals, as they fear for their own safety, too. Knife attacks are not uncommon. That said, it you’re a careful you’ll be fine. 10s of thousands of tourists visit Cape Town every year and are perfectly safe.
The Cape Town metropolitan area covers a large area, from Durbanville and Somerset West in the east to Cape Point in the south and Atlantis in the north. The city centre is located in a relatively small area between Table Mountain and Table Bay.
For tens of thousands of years, Cape Town was inhabited by the Khoe people known to the Dutch settlers as ‘Strandloper’; South Africa’s surviving Khoe people are related to southern Africa’s indigenous ‘Bushmen’, who the Khoe called ‘San’. Cape Town’s European history began in 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck established a trading post there on behalf of the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company). The first European settlers were mainly Dutch, with some French Huguenots that had to flee from religious persecution in their home country. The first settlers soon explored the adjacent hinterland and founded the cities of Stellenbosch and Paarl in today’s Cape Winelands. The Voortrekkers (Pioneers of European descent) started from here to explore and settle the rest of South Africa.
Today Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is a world-class cosmopolitan city with numerous sites of historical significance, and a lively night-life, as well as a large gay community.
The summer months are from December to February. Days are usually hot, but the humidity is low, so it is not uncomfortable. You should stay inside or in the shade during the midday heat and use sufficient sun block. You will fight for space on the beach around New Year’s with all the local tourists but it is still a great time to visit as there are a lot of events happening.
The winter months of June to August tend to be rather wet, which does not mean rain every day although it can rain for two weeks straight on occasion. It can also get very cold at night, with temperatures as low as 2 or 3°C (this is the temperature of the ocean so it will not get colder unless you go far inland) but 5-7°C normal. It will become warmer during the day, with temperatures between 9-15°C typical. It is often very cloudy with far fewer hours of sunshine.
Best times to visit are:
October and November: The weather is getting warmer. Spring is in the air, but it is not as hot as mid-summer yet. These months can be windy months. The South-Easter is known as the Cape Doctor as it blows away a great deal of pollution!
December to February: These are the prime summer months of long hot days. The sun sets late in the evening (it stays light up until about 8:30PM in December) and there is generally a lot going on. February is the most reliable month for weather, with week after week of hot days.
March to May: This can change from year to year, but generally it starts raining and the temperature begins to become cooler. There are far fewer visitors around, and you can get excellent deals on accommodation, food and most tourism services.
During the dry summer months (even more so when there is strong wind) fire poses a serious threat to the flora and fauna of the region, especially the National Parks. The fynbos in particular can become very dry and burn easily. Over the last couple of years a number of fires have almost devastated the slopes of Table Mountain. Please take care not to be the cause of any runaway fire and report any fires that you might see to Table Mountain National Park Fire Management on +27 (0)21 689-7438 or +27 (0)21 957-4700 outside office hours.
Cape Town International Airport is the second largest airport in South Africa (the largest being the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg). There are multiple flights daily to Johannesburg, Durban and all other major South African cities, as well as the Namibian cities of Windhoek, Swakopmund and Walvis Bay and other destinations, including Gaborone, Maun and Nairobi. The most used airlines for international flights from Europe, the US and Asia include South African Airways, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, Singapore Airlines, Emirates [188], and Turkish Airlines.
Further international flights arrive from Dubai, Doha, Amsterdam, Paris, Frankfurt, Kuala Lumpur, London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Formerly, nonstop service to/from the United States existed, but now, you must use OR Tambo in Johannesburg as a gateway city from/to New York City, Washington DC, or Atlanta. In the summer, (October-March) several charter airlines operate direct flights from all over Europe to Cape Town. Spare seats are sold with substantial discounts but during Christmas time and New Year prices rises significantly.
Major local airlines include South African Airways , British Airways (Comair) and low-cost airlines Kulula.com and Safair.
See also Discount airlines in Africa and Air travel in South Africa for further information.
There are MyCiti buses from the airport to the city centre at 20 minute intervals. One way costs R65.
The Blue Train is the legendary luxury train service, and is by far the most stylish and comfortable way to get from Pretoria to Cape Town. In its long history, this train had served uncountable numbers of presidents, celebrities and other public figures. Private facilities in every room; many fitted with full bath. Fare includes overnight accommodation, meals, drinks (alcohol included), cigars, butler service and an excursion during the trip.
All scheduled South African passenger trains are run by PRASA (the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa), which has different divisions for long-distance (inter-city) trains and commuter (suburban) trains. Shosholoza Meyl [196] operates inter-city trains and MetroRail [197] operates commuter trains in major cities.
Shosholoza Meyl has three classes of inter-city trains : Economy Class, Tourist Class and Premier Classe [199]. In economy class there are seats only (no bunk beds), tourist class provides bunk beds for overnight trips (bring a sleeping bed or buy bedding on the train) and premier classe is slightly more luxurious and comfortable, with all meals and bedding provided. Economy and tourist class trains have a buffet car for food. Prices on the three classes vary accordingly.
Cape Town’s main train station is located in the city centre, on the corner of Adderley Street and Strand Street. All trains to or from Cape Town arrive and depart from here.
There are inter-city trains to
– Johannesburg via Kimberley every day of the week, with two trains per day on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday (Economy and Tourist Class);
– East London on Sunday (Economy Class only);
– Queenstown on Thursday (Economy Class only).
MetroRail has two classes on commuter trains in and around Cape Town : MetroPlus (also called First Class) and Metro (called Third Class). MetroPlus is more comfortable and less crowded but also more expensive. Every trainset has both MetroPlus and Metro coaches ; the MetroPlus coaches are always on the end of the train nearest Cape Town. Prices are cheap so it is better to be more comfortable and use MetroPlus. Note that there are steep fines if you are caught in a MetroPlus coach with a Metro ticket (vice versa is allowed).
MetroRail commuter trains are a great way to get between Cape Town and neighbouring towns such as Stellenbosch, Strand, Paarl, Somerset West, Malmesbury, Worcester and through the Southern Suburbs (Claremont, Wynberg, Retreat) or to the beaches at Muizenberg, Kalk Bay, Fish Hoek, Glencairn and Simon’s Town. Contrary to many reports that you might read, MetroRail trains are safe, but it is probably wise to avoid avoid traveling at night if possible. If you need to use trains at night, use the most crowded first class (MetroPlus) car and don’t stay alone.
The train line from Cape Town to Simon’s Town is fabulous ; from Muizenberg south to Simon’s Town it runs right next to the sea. You can often see whales, and if it’s windy you may have sea spray hitting the train windows. For the best views make sure you sit on the east side of the train (the left side as you face away from Cape Town and towards Simon’s Town). This route previously boasted a moving restaurant coach (called Biggsy’s) that did the return trip from Cape Town to Simon’s Town between 2 and 4 times a day, every day except Monday. However, Biggsy’s restaurant car was withdrawn from service on July 2007 for renovations and by June 2009 had not yet been re-introduced. You can buy a Tourist “hop on, hop off” ticket for the Cape Town-Simon’s Town route that allows you to get off and on any train for the entire day.
Trains to Stellenbosch run every two hours (more or less), but this journey might take a while. Ask at the ticket counter if there is an earlier train you could use, as there are also trains to Stellenbosch starting in Bellville and Eerste River.
The vast majority of roads in and around Cape Town are in a very good condition, making travelling by car an easy issue. However, please be aware of hijackers at night or at traffic lights. The danger is not as high as often emphasized by the media, but a good portion of precaution should be taken. Please ask your hotel staff or anyone familiar with the area about where it is safe and where it is not safe.
Several major highways start in Cape Town:
Hiring a car in South Africa is not as expensive as in Europe or many other countries. Petrol is also cheap compared to Europe but a bit more expensive than in the United States. The locals will tell you that the Cape Town drivers are the most courteous drivers in South Africa (except the mini bus taxi drivers who are unpredictable) and generally drive slower in comparison with other cities.
All major bus companies have Intercity connections from Cape Town, taking you to other cities in South Africa and to Windhoek in Namibia. There might be up to 6 buses a day to certain cities.
The starting point is next to the train station at the corner of Adderley and Strand Street, near the Golden Acre building. Please ask at the nearby tourist information or in your hotel for connections and where your bus is going to leave, as finding your bus can become difficult.
Also, there are a few bus services available while travelling from eastern Africa, notably Tanzania and Kenya. The general route followed is Nairobi (Kenya), Dar-es-salaam (Tanzania), Lusaka (Zambia) and Harare (Zimbabwe) in order to reach Johannesburg. The journey from Nairobi takes about two to three days.
Bus tickets can also be obtained from Computicket.
Cape Town is also on the Baz Bus route.
Most of the larger cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises offer Cape Town as one of their destinations.
Unless you are staying within walking distance of the beach in Camps Bay (or some other area where everything you want is close by) then you will find it very frustrating not to have your own transport. Even short distance walks (like from V&A Harbour to the Castle of Good Hope) are problematic by foot, in a city with dividing motorways, and little or no signage or facilities for pedestrians away from the shopping precincts.
There are numerous car rental companies located at the airport and throughout town. Remember that you drive on the left here which may take some getting used to if you’ve never done it. It may be difficult to come by an automatic transmission at the rental company so reserve your car ahead of time if an automatic is what you prefer. When you are ready to put fuel in your car, it is required to let one of the petrol station attendants fill it up for you. Just stay in your car, he/she will come up to and ask you which fuel type and how much you want to put in.
Uber and Taxify are now ubiquitous, safe and relatively inexpensive around Cape Town. If you are going a longer distance, you can arrange for the same car to pick you up for an extra fee. Also a new car sharing ride provides a sustainable and save way to get around in the city, or even to other cities. Jumpin Rides is local start up changing the way of mobility in the city with connecting drivers with empty seats to people going the same direction.
Cape Town also has a number of luxury and classic car chauffeur companies available that perform various services such as airport transfers, transport to corporate events as well as VIP bodyguards:
Luxury Chauffeur Services (Luxury Car Hire), 25 Harold Ashwell Boulevard, Melkbosstrand, ☎ +27 (0)21 553 0339 ([email protected]).
Cape Cobra Hire (AC Cobra Chauffeur and Rentals), 10 Hermes Street, Paarden Eiland, ☎ +27 (0)83 321 9193 ([email protected]).
Classic Rides (Classic Car Chauffeur Service), 66 Roeland Street, City Bowl, ☎ +27 (0)82 739 3338 ([email protected]).
Metered taxis are widely available throughout Cape Town, though more so in more affluent or tourist-visited areas. Metered taxis can be identified by the typical yellow sign on the roof of the car, and by clearly stated information printed on the side of the vehicle stating the fare and the rights of the passengers. Be sure to take only those metered taxis that are marked in this way, but be aware that quality between different vehicles, even those with the same operator, can vary. Typical prices per kilometer range from R9 to R12 (equivalent to R14 to R19 per mile), often with a start or flag fall fee of up to R30 in 2016. For longer journeys, for example from the city centre to the South Peninsula, or Stellenbosch, it is often possible to negotiate a slightly better price with the driver. Keep in mind the metered taxi industry is under some pressure in Cape Town, and that paying the full rate benefits your driver and ensures the continuation of a sector that is comparably safe and convenient when compared to other transport options.
There are a number of reputable metered taxi operators suggested by the City’s Sustainable Transport Unit:
Marine Taxis, Unit 2, Monument Building, Old Marine Drive, Foreshore, ☎ +27 (0)21 419 4925 ([email protected]).
Unicab, 1 Plein Street, Woodstock, ☎ +27 (0)21 486 1600 ([email protected]).
Other metered taxi operators include:
The network of minibus taxis is the most extensive public transport system in Cape Town, and primarily used by workers as transport to and from home. Many people will tell you it’s way too dangerous to use these mini buses, but a growing number of expats and tourists seems to be using them anyway, mostly without trouble but always use caution especially if you are a lone female traveller. The main security issue is the hazardous driving – speeding, crossing on red lights, intoxicated drivers. Although slightly worse than other modes of transportation, these are also common issues when using metered cabs, or even letting a friend drive you home (drunk driving is a big problem in all layers off the South African population).
The main challenge using the system, is that there’s no route map. You normally have to ask around a bit, and learn it over time. The main minibus station is located in the city centre, next to the train station. There you will find several platforms, each with the final destination indicated.
Two popular tourist routes are Cape Town – Wynberg (which passes Observatory, an area with a few backpackers’) and the Green Point – Sea Point – Clifton – Camps Bay route. Fares are cheap, and from Cape Town to Observatory, you pay 6 rand (Dec 2014).
When jumping on somewhere along the route, you have to wave your hand to flag down one of the minibuses. They are usually tooting their horn to solicit passengers and will pull off the road if you wave them down. Licensed taxis will have a 20cm x 25cm blue and white sticker on the back of the minibus which shows their final destination. As of early 2013 the Camps Bay – City Centre route cost R6, although this will probably rise soon because of higher fuel prices. When in doubt, ask the driver what the fare is loudly so that everyone else can hear. The other passengers will watch out for you.
Although there are normally three seats per row, they normally squeeze in four, and it can get very tight sometimes. It might be a good idea to take out some coins before you enter the vehicle, as it can be hard to reach down in your pockets as the taxi fills up. Most of the time there is a doorman manning the door, collecting money, and shouting the destination to prospective customers on the streets. Normally you take a seat, and he will ask you for the fare after a while. People behind you will commonly give you coins to pass on, and change will also make its way back in the same fashion. In some cases, the driver will collect the money directly himself.
When you want to get off, you normally tell the driver a supermarket or other landmark. F.ex. Pick ‘n Pay, Observatory if you want to get off close to the main street there (Lower Main Rd). They will mostly drop you off whereever you want along the route.
The minibus drivers often drive dangerously, and are known to drive through red lights, drive in the yellow lane, and not give way to anyone. Most of the minibus drivers “own the roads”, and there are some horror stories, among them an incident where a minibus driver failed to stop for a train at a railroad crossing, and was hit by the train. [204].
Some minibus taxi operators have seen the value in the tourist market and are starting to provide safe and legal alternatives to the traditional minibus taxis. They are more expensive than the traditional minibus taxis, but still far cheaper than metered taxis. No guarantee you’ll get to your destination directly, but it is safe, fun, and all the drivers are characters. You may even meet supermodels going to their photo shoots or artists going to their studios. During busy times of day (or year) you may have to wait a while and unfortunately, they do not take reservations.
There are two bus systems that run in parallel in Cape Town.
The older, slower and more extensive Golden Arrow network offers cheap connections connecting most of the city. These are not recommended for tourists due to security concerns. They run mostly during the day. It is better to ask the driver where the bus is going, to make sure you won’t end up somewhere else.
The newer MyCiti Bus Rapid Transport System started operating in 2010. The central hub for the system is the Civic Centre on the city centre foreshore. From there, routes radiate outwards to Tableview, Gardens, Walmer Estate and Salt River, Green Point (including the Waterfront) and the airport. The system is constantly expanding, however, so check out the MyCiti website MyCiti website for a current list of routes, maps and fares.
Note that in order to use the MyCiti network you’ll need to use a MyCiti cash card which can be purchased at their stations or participating outlets. You can purchase one at the MyCiti station at the airport and use it to get into the city. Once you’ve loaded cash onto the card you can also use it as a debit card for small purchases.
You can also hire a scooter or a small motorbike. A number of places in the city offer this service and it is a great way to be mobile and save over hiring a car; however, unless you love the pain of cycling up and down mountains while dodging city traffic on narrow streets, cycling for transportation is not recommended.
LDV Biking, 13D Kloof Nek Road, ☎ +27 (0)83 528-0897 ([email protected]). The recommended place to rent a scooter or motorbike. From about R100 to R170 per day depending on how many days you are renting for and the time of year.
Cape Sidecar Adventures, 2 Glengariff Road, Three Anchor Bay, ☎ +27 (0)21 434-9855 ([email protected], fax: +27 (0)21 434-9860). Open 9AM to 5PM weekdays and 9AM to 1PM on Sat. Explore Cape Town in a vintage World War II side-car.
Harley Davidson Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)21 424-3990 ([email protected]). Explore the Cape on the back of a Harley. From R650 per day.
There is a system of public train transport, although it is mainly used by locals. Operator Metrorail has done a lot to increase safety and comfort on board the trains, but they still do not live up to European standards. So make sure to buy a first-class ticket. Cape Town station is situated in the city centre on the corner of Adderley Street and Strand Street and there is a reasonable suburban network of lines with more than 80 stations. A nice scenic ride can be done south to Simon’s Town, all along the east coast of the Cape Peninsula. Stick to the Simon’s Town line and make sure you are not on the train after 6:30PM or when it is dark.
Make sure you do not carry anything expensive on the train as this is an invitation to thieves. If you must carry a camera, make sure it is well out of sight (preferably a small wallet sized camera). Ear rings, necklaces and any form of visible jewellery are not recommended as these can be ripped (rather painfully) from one’s person by an enterprising thief. Keep your wits about you and it will make for a pleasant and safe journey.
Almost everything is possible in Cape Town, from a nice guided city tour through an adrenaline kick in an old fighter jet. The easiest way to get an overview on things to do, nice restaurants, clubs, tours etc is to walk into one of the visitors’ centres which can be found in several areas. (V&A Waterfront, City Bowl, Green Point etc). A good option to consider is to make use of a reputable tour guiding company. They will be able to provide you with a knowledgeable tour guide, who will ensure that you get to see all the popular features of the city, as well as show you many of the often missed, hidden attractions. Ultimate-Escape South Africa (www.ultimate-escape.co.za) offers tours custom designed for your interests, and offers complete interactive tours for disabled individuals too.
Cape Town has some of the worlds best wine producing vineyards and arguably the worlds most scenically stunning on its doorstep. The wine regions of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl are all with in an easy hours drive, these historic and lush regions offer stunning views and world class wine tastings. There are more than 250 wine farms within 30 minutes’ drive of Stellenbosch – you can comfortably visit 3 or 4 in day. Most wine farms charge a tasting fee of R20 – R50, but waive this if you buy wine. You can self drive but you can not legally drink wine and drive so you will need to find a designated driver. The safest way to see the winelands is to trust your day to a dedicated wine tour company. An excellent day tour is offered by SABP Tours.
Ama Feesh Charters, ☎ +27 (0)21 788-9689 ([email protected]). At the time of writing, the telephone number and web site were not available. Per charter, R4500 for inshore fishing, R6500 for offshore fishing, 1 to 6 people.
Cape Charters, 31 Antigua, The Water Club, Granger Bay, ☎ +27 (0)21 418-0782 ([email protected]).
Hooked on Africa, ☎ +27 (0)21 790-5332 ([email protected]).
Millers Point & Simonstown – on the way to Cape Point, ☎ 50 ([email protected]). contact Rob Naysmith from R4’000 per boat (4 pax) per day in False Bay to R5’000 for Tuna.
Reelthymecharters, Hout Bay Harbour, ☎ +27 083 642 1548 ([email protected]).
Cape Town is one of the world’s best places to see the Great White Shark.Cape Town offers the most accessible diving opportunity to witness the great white shark that will leave you in awe of these magnificent ocean predators.
Shark cage diving is available in Gaansbaai all year round. Between June and October you can also dive around Seal Island in False bay.
Shark & Safari – Tours and Shuttles, V&A Info Centre, Dock Road, Waterfront, Cape Town, ☎ +27 21 418 4873 ([email protected]).
SABP Tours, ☎ +27 (0)21 813 6005 ([email protected], fax: 0027 21 426 0201).
Cape Town is one of the coolest cities on the planet, to make it even better, it has great surfing. Expect cold water, especially in summer when the antarctic currents brush past. Swell has an uninterrupted line all the way from Cape Horn – big powerful waves on offer! Alternatively swing round to the False Bay side to enjoy the tropical waters of the Indian ocean – Not exactly tropical but several degrees warmer. Winter months (June – August) are best with the most swell being pushed in by huge storms between Cape Town and the antarctic but generally South Africa is one of the worlds most surf spoiled countries, which means there is surf all year round, depending where you are. Contact one of the local surf shops below for more information.
Vudu Surfboards Cape Town, 60 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town 8001, ☎ +27 21 426 0503 ([email protected]). Mon-Fri 09h00-17h00 Sat 09h00-14h00.
Cape Town is located near two oceans, the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean. Because of the Benguela Current the Atlantic Ocean is relatively cold (about 8°C to 14°C). The Indian Ocean is warmer (12°C to 17°C), and here you can see the more colourful fish. The official border between the two oceans is at Cape Agulhas, but currents and eddies take the warmer water futher west and these waters can reach the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula in False Bay, so from a diving point of view, the Cape Peninsula may be considered the interface between the two marine biological regions, and there is a notable difference in character between the waters of the two coasts of the peninsula. This manifests itself in the different range of marine life found on the two coasts. These regions are the South Western Cape inshore bioregion and the Agulhas inshore bioregion.
Permits:
The waters around the Cape Peninsula have been declared a Marine Protected Area (MPA). Permits are required to Scuba dive in any Marine Protected Area.
This is a politically controversial issue due to disputes on whether due process was followed and whether the government deparment exceeded its authority, but the consequence is that a tax is imposed on all Scuba divers who dive in an MPA. The permit (valid for 1 year) may be purchased for R75 (2009) at a some branches of the Post Office, or a temporary permit valid for 1 month may be purchased at most dive shops. Failure to present this permit when requested by an official of MCM may lead to harrassment and possible arrest.
Dive Sites:
Detailed information and suggestions on local conditions, service providers and more than 100 local dive sites is provided in the guide to Diving the Cape Peninsula and False Bay.
If the open ocean does not appeal to you, the Two Oceans Aquarium also offer diving opportunities in their 2.2 million liter tank.
Diving at Two Oceans Aquarium, ☎ +27 (0)21 418-3823 ([email protected]). 9AM, 11AM and 1PM daily. You need to be in possession of a valid diving license (PADI, CMAS, NAUI, BSAC etc.). Swim along with the Ragged tooth sharks, Yellow tail, Kob, Musselcracker, Bull rays and a lonely turtle. The dive master Iain, a barrel shaped bearded little man with a distinct Scottish accent, is both nice and knowledgeable and accompanies you into the aquarium ready to fend off the sharks with his broomstick should they become cuddly. Dive time is around 30 minutes. For advanced divers, the Kelp forest tank puts you into the water with more and bigger local reef fish than you will see in the sea. R400 (R325 if you bring your own diving gear), this includes the R70 aquarium entrance fee.
There are many organized events in Cape Town throughout the year. An official calendar of events is available from Cape Town Tourism.
Cape Town Flower and Garden Show. This annual show (now in its 14th year) will be hosted at the Lourensford Wine Estate in Somerset West between the 25th and 28th October 2007.
Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, ☎ +27 21 681 4333 ([email protected]). March every year. Total distance is 109 km. Start in downtown, cycle down the eastern side of the peninsula, past Simon’s Town and back up the western side of the peninsula. Entrance fee is R250 for South Africa entrants and R500 for international. If you are not involved in or interested in cycling, avoid Cape Town on the second weekend of March, as it is difficult to travel as so many roads are closed.
Two Oceans Marathon, ☎ +27 (0)21 671-9407 ([email protected]). On Easter Saturday each year. An Ultra marathon (56 km), a half marathon (21 km) and a number of fun runs ranging from a 56m Nappy Dash to a 8 km walk or run. Maximum 10 000 entrance accepted per year per race distance (fun runs excluded). There is a pricing scale for each of the runs. The Ultra Marathon, R190 for South African residents, R300 for the rest of Africa and R555 for the rest of the world. The Half Marathon, R125 of South African residents, R215 for the rest of Africa and R335 for the rest of the world. The Fun Runs are priced from R10 to R20. If you are not involved in or interested in the runs, avoid Cape Town on this weekend, as it is almost impossible to go anywhere as so many roads are closed.
Cape Town Jazz Festival, Cape Town International Convention Centre, ☎ +27 (0)21 422-5651. Normally held during late March.
Cape Town Minstrel Carnival, Marches throughout the city ending at Green Point Stadium. Usually New Years day and a couple of days later during January. Also known as the Kaapse Klopse, these brightly dressed singers and dancers spend months preparing for this annual event.
Kirstenbosch Summer Sunset Concerts, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, ☎ +27 (0)21 799-8783. 5:30PM to 6:30PM every Sun, late Nov to early April. http://www.oldmutual.co.za/about-us/sponsorship/arts-and-lifestyle/kirstenbosch-concerts.aspx R50.
Mother City Queer Project, ([email protected]). Sometime during December each year. Biggest gay and lesbian party of the year. R100 to R350. The sooner you buy a ticket the cheaper it is.
Spiers Summer Arts Festival, ☎ +27 (0)21 809-1111 ([email protected]). From October to March. At the time of writing, the web site was not available.
City Harvest Festival, ☎ +27 (0)21 422-1418 ([email protected]). April 20th 12PM to 10PM and 21st 9AM to 6PM. The City Harvest Festival exhibits the Cape’s finest wines, food, with live entertainment including bands. Talks by Cape winemakers on the winemaking process. Chocolate feature planned. Host venues include Signal Hill Winery, Café Mao, Riboville, WineSense and Sundance Café.
Big Five Cape Town safaris are becoming increasingly popular. There are numerous safari game reserves with in 2 hours drive from Cape Town which is a great option if you don’t want to venture too far from the city.
Shark & Safari – Tours and Shuttles, V&A Info Centre, Dock Road, Waterfront, Cape Town, ☎ 0027 21 418 4873 ([email protected]).
There are many hiking trails in and around the city, from short walks to multi day hikes.
The townships are the places where people were forced to live (based on race) under the apartheid regime. To some extent townships continue to retain their apartheid-era racial make-up, for a variety of reasons. Townships have also grown to cover far larger areas of land than in the apartheid days. This is a result of urbanization, especially over the past 10-15 years. Touring a township may seem strange, even inappropriate, but it is a good way to learn about South Africa’s history, and the poverty that many people continue to live in. People in the townships are friendly and the children love visitors. Some townships however can be dangerous (see the warning on the South Africa page) so don’t go alone unless you know what you’re doing. The townships tours are safe. If you want to bring sweets or gifts for the children, it is best not to give it directly to them, but to give it to the tour guide who will distribute them later.
Tours can be booked directly or through one of Cape Town’s many booking agencies. Tours run once or twice per day. Be aware that if you’re given the chance to try some township food, that a ‘walkie-talkie’ is often made from the feet and beaks of poultry. The very best way to see a township is by foot and to stay overnight at one of the many township B&Bs.
There are several tour companies which offer tours:
There are a number of small nature reserves in and around Cape Town.
Koeberg Nuclear Power Station and Nature Reserve, ☎ +27 (0)21 550-4667. The 3000 hectare buffer zone around the power station has been converted to a nature reserve with Bontebok, Genet, Steenbok and many other antelope.
Table Mountain National Park, ☎ +27 (0)21 701-8692 ([email protected]). Table Mountain National Park forms part of the Cape Floristic Region UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park covers a large area of the Cape and incorporates a number of park areas. Most of it is free access; the only places you need to pay are at the Cape of Good Hope, Silvermine and Boulders.
With South African wines becoming more and more popular worldwide, the number of tourists who visit Cape Town to learn more about the local wines is growing. The impressive variety of vineyards in Cape Town and the surrounding Cape Winelands make the choice which one to visit and which wine to taste very difficult. It is always a good idea to rely on one of the established wine tour operators. Guests should insist on a specialised guide with a thorough knowledge of South African wines.
African Destinations Travel, City, Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)82 455 6736 ([email protected]). A tour company offering wine tours.
SABPTours, Gardens,Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)21 813 6005 ([email protected]). A tour company offering a full day wine tour, visits at least 4 vineyards, includes lunch and all tasting fees and collection from your hotel in Cape Town. R795 for a full day tour.
African Hoopoe Tours (African Hoopoe Tours), Airport Industrial, Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)21 510 7809 ([email protected]). A unique experienced offered with a private tour of Cape Towns wine estates. Private tour R960 subject to #pax.
Mostly you will see Southern right whales, but on occasion you might also spot humpback and killer whales. Bottlenose and dusky dolphins also frequent False Bay. The Southern Right wales visit each year between June & November to mate and calve.
From viewpoints next to the coastal road between Fishhoek- Sunny Cove railway station through Glen Cairn to Simon’s Town one can often spot whales less than 100m from shore. At Cape Point whales can often be seen passing below.
A number of operators also offer Whale Watching Cruises. The Simon’s Town Boat Company is the sole permit holder for boat based whale watching in False Bay (Permit No. 0806336).R750 per adult ( 2012 prices) From the town pier. Phone + 27 (0) 83 257 7760 http://www.boatcompany.co.za/i_whaleviewing.html
Waterfront Boat Company, Shop 5 Quay, V&A Waterfront, ☎ +27 (0)21 418-5806 ([email protected]). 3 to 4 hour cruise in the bay and you are almost guaranteed to spot whales. R350.
Dyer Island Cruises, Gansbaai, ☎ +27 (0)28 384-0406 ([email protected]). R450 to R720
Cape Town’s medical research is world-renowned, and Groote Schuur hospital is where Christiaan Barnard and Hamilton Naki performed the world’s first heart transplant.
There are several language schools in the greater Cape Town area. Shop around before you make your choice. Choose a school which is part of the e.g. IALC (International Association of Language Centres) or other certificate that ensure quality.
Ailola Cape Town English School, 1st Floor, 4 Regent Rd, Sea Point, 8005 Cape Town, ☎ +27-21-439-9834 ([email protected], fax: +27-21-434-3267),. Ailola Cape Town was founded in 1998, is run by its South African owner and is located in Seapoint district just a few meters from the beach. The school offers English group and private classes, Cambridge / TOEFL / IELTS certification courses, volunteering programs, student accommodation and a variety of extra activities after the classes and on weekends. The English courses are based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Other nearby universities.
Cape Town is an excellent place to learn to sail, with courses completed here recognized internationally and costs far lower than what you can expect to pay in more developed countries.
Good Hope Sailing Academy, ☎ +27 (0)21 424-4665 ([email protected]). SAS and RYA accr ed courses. From R2650 for a 5 day Competent crew course, R3350 for a 5 day skipper course Based at Royal Cape Yacht Club and Saldanha Bay.
Yachtmaster Sailing School, Based at Royal Cape Yacht Club, Langebaan and Saldanha Bay, ☎ +27 (0)21 788-1009 ([email protected]). RYA accr ed.
There are various volunteering opportunities in Cape Town.
The V&A Waterfront is the prime tourist destination for souvenirs, though these tend to be typically touristy (i.e. expensive and not necessarily authentic). More authentic curios for better prices can be found every Sunday at the Green Point market outside the Green Point Stadium on Sundays, in walking distance from the V & A Waterfront. Many of these same curios can be purchased during the week in the several multi-story shops at the lower end of Long Street. For the real deal with authentic artifacts complete with provenance and ethnographic background, go to Church Street where there are a couple of shops but be prepared for sticker shock. When buying African Curio, the price at open markets are almost always very negotiable and seldom does the item have a price sticker attached. People with foreign accents are often quoted twice to three times the price they sell to locals, so do negotiate.
Originally a Farmers’ Market dating back to 1710, Green Market is today one of the city’s best flea markets. There’s a range of local arts, craft and curios on offer and the vendors expect to bargain for their wares.
If you like South African wine, buy it here (or anywhere in South Africa) before you leave, because it is much cheaper and there is more availability than overseas. Top guide to wines is the John Platter’s Guide, with a few others around too, and with thousands of wines available from the region, you will need a guide (see below for shops that have knowledgeable staff). Read Wine magazine (or the iconoclastic Grape) for the latest information.
Caroline’s Fine Wines, V&A Waterfront and 15 Long Street in the City Centre, ☎ +27 (0)21 419-8984. Better selection and more knowledgeable staff. City Centre location recommended, but both are excellent. Foam inserts and boxes for international shipping or for checking with your luggage (safe!). Not cheap though, compared to supermarkets and wineries.
Vaughan Johnson’s Wine Shop, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, ☎ +27 (0)21 419-2121 ([email protected]). Quality selection but not exhaustive. Knowledgeable staff. Generally substantial (10-20%) markup over winery prices but of course more convenient.
Wine Concepts, Cardiff Castle Building, cnr Main Street & Kildare Road, Newlands (Southern Suburbs), ☎ +27 (0)21 671-9030 ([email protected]). Another great wine shop, certainly the best outside the City Bowl. A franchised location is on Kloof Street in the Lifestyle Centre.
A large South African liquor chain. Several locations around the city, the one in Green Point is the most accessible to tourists. A warehouse bottle store but with a remarkable wine selection across all price ranges. Case discount (even on mixed cases). Good if you want to stock up for a road trip. Stash a bottle of Amarula Cream in your backpack while you’re at it. Great prices — in fact, often cheaper than at the wine farms themselves.
Distinctively Capetonian in character — are everywhere, from chickens made of plastic bags to bead and wire work to pottery, glass and embroidery. If you don’t buy a chicken from a Rastafarian at a street corner (the authentic experience — about 30 rand depending on the size), then try Heartworks (Kloof Street or in Gardens Centre mall) or the Red Shed at the V & A Waterfront. There is also a high-end craft boutique in the Cape Quarter in De Waterkant.
Contemporary South African art has been riding a big wave in the international art world. It is on par with the best in the world and undervalued (unless you buy a William Kentridge). If you like real art as opposed to curios, crafts or posters, and you have the budget for it, there are several serious galleries in town. Try Michael Stevenson Gallery first, then Joao Ferreira Gallery, AVA Gallery or Bell-Roberts Gallery, and there are several others worth seeing. Art South Africa is the art magazine to read if you want to know about the artists, and the adverts list the shows and the galleries.
Iqhayiya Craft Cooperative, (in Khayelitsha, the cooperative is tucked behind St Michaels and All Angels Church on the corner of Ncumo rd. and Qhula Cres in the Harare District), ([email protected]). M-F 9:00 – 4:45, Sat. 9:00 – 2:00.. The 8 person artist cooperative sells artwork, jewelry, and other authentic African crafts. All of the items are made by the members of the cooperative. Email the cooperative directly for information.
As in any large city you will find a number of major shopping malls with the requisite department sized stores and chain labels:
Bayside Centre, cnr Blaauwberg Road and Otto Du Plessis Drive, Tableview, ☎ +27 (0)21 557-4350 ([email protected]),. Shops are open 9AM to 7PM Monday to Friday, 10AM to 5PM on Saturday and 10AM to 2PM on Sunday.
Blue Route Mall, cnr Tokai and Keyser River Roads, Tokai, ☎ +27 (0)21 713-2360 ([email protected]).
Canal Walk, Century Boulevard, Century City, ☎ +27 (0)21 555-3600 ([email protected]). Open 10AM to 9PM Monday to Friday, 9AM to 9PM on Saturday and 10AM to 9PM on Sunday.
Cavendish Square, Vineyard Road, Claremont, ☎ +27 (0)21 657-5620 ([email protected]). Open 9AM to 7PM Monday to Saturday and 10AM to 5PM on Sunday.
Constantia Village, cnr Constantia Main and Spaanschemacht River Roads, Constantia, ☎ +27 (0)21 794-5065 ([email protected]).
Kenilworth Centre, cnr Doncaster and Chichester Roads, Kenilworth, ☎ +27 (0)21 671-5054.
Longbeach Mall, cnr Buller Louw Drive and Sunnydale Road, Noordhoek, ☎ +27 (0)21 785-5955 ([email protected]).
Maynard Mall, cnr Main and Wetton Roads, Wynberg, ☎ +27 (0)21 797-1714.
Mainstream Centre, cnr Main Road and Pricess Beach, Hout Bay. Shops are open 9AM to 5PM Monday to Friday, 9AM to 5PM on Saturday and 10AM to 2PM on Sunday.
N1 City, Louwtjie Rothman Drive (off Monte Vista Boulevard), Goodwood, ☎ +27 (0)21 595-1170.
Tyger Valley, cnr Bill Bezuidenhout and Willie van Schoor Avenues, Bellville, ☎ +27 (0)21 914-1822. Open 9AM to 7PM Monday to Saturday and 9AM to 5PM on Sunday.
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Breakwater Road, Cape Town, ☎ +27 (0)21 408-7600. Open 10AM to 9PM every day.
View over Greenpoint from the Revolving Restaurant in the Ritz Hotel.
Food in Cape Town is generally of high quality. However, do not buy fresh fruit from street vendors, as it commonly makes travelers sick. The wines are much celebrated, but the surrounding region is also a major fruit producer, and the Karoo lamb is widely regarded. Seafood caught locally is superlative, but ironically much of it goes internationally (e.g., tuna for sushi) because of the prices that can be achieved. Ask about the local linefish — yellowtail, cape salmon, kingklip, kabeljou and others are great eating. Oysters in season are also exceptional, farmed and wild from Knysna or wild flown in from Namibia.
As one of the main tourist spots is the V&A waterfront, you will find a broad range of restaurants, but they are often crowded and expensive. Another highlight is the area around Long Street with its many cafés and restaurants (frequented by a multi-ethnic clientèle), while the trendy area of De Waterkant between Bo Kaap and Green Point above Somerset Road also boasts good food and a great vibe. Dine with supermodels and other beautiful people in Camps Bay, which has many hip eateries and nightspots overlooking the beach along Victoria Road. The Old Biscuit Mill, in the center of Woodstock, is a lovely Saturday market teeming with quality drinks and foods for a friendly price.
Bree street is the new trendy street in the city and is slowly becoming the new Long street. With a wide choice of restaurants, bars, specialist food outlets this is where both locals and tourists hang out. Anything from budget meals to international cuisine – popular for lunch and dinners.
Kloof Street & Park Road in Gardens area is the latest hip urban cool area and is an excellent eating place away from the tourist throngs with a variety of bistro / sushi / hipster type places serving the young professional and bohemian crowd.
Farther afield, Hout Bay on the west side of the Cape Peninsula is very good for fresh crayfish (lobsters – they have become quite expensive, around R300, though). Kalk Bay on the east side of the peninsula offers a big variety of fresh fish, do check out The Brass Bell. The restaurants in nearby Simon’s Town are also good.
Do not neglect the Cape Winelands for food if you have a car. In Stellenbosch, Spier has several restaurants, including the fun, afro-chic Moyo, and many wine estates offer food of different types and quality. The village of Franschhoek is the culinary navel of the wine region, with Le Quartier Francais a perennial five-star winner, but only one of many excellent restaurants. In the Constantia Valley there are number of great restaurants including Pastis Brasserie, Wasabi, The River Cafe, La Colombe and the Constantia Uitsig Restaurant.
NB: Make sure you know what the price is before you order rare delicacies in restaurants as there have been a few rare but high-profile cases of heinous overcharging where the price is not on the menu, particularly for perlemoen (abalone) and crayfish (similar to lobster).
Bakoven, Southern Life Building, 10 Riebeeck Street, ☎ +27 21 419 1937. Coffee shop and light meals.
Cafe Eco, 90 Long Street, ☎ +27 21 422 2299. Cheap, relaxed, environmentally-friendly coffee shop. A favourite with backpackers.
Table Mountain Restaurant, On top of Table Mountain, close to the Upper Cable Station. Open 08:30 to 18:30, with extended hours during December and January. A 120 seat, self service restaurant. No booking required.The restaruant is closed when the Table Mountain Cable Car is not operating. From R20 for a simple breakfast.
Bistro, 69 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, ☎ +27 021 430 4444 ([email protected], fax: +27 (0) 21 438 4433). Mo-Fr , Sa-Su. Lunches feature sandwiches, salads and pastas showcasing imaginative combinations of only the finest ingredients R90.
Von Kamptz Restaurant, 7 Chilworth Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town, ☎ +27 021 437 8300 ([email protected]). The tender signature Chalmar Beef Fillet is the ever popular dish – either cooked on the grill, or over open fire during the summer months. R250.
Ashton’s Restaurant at Greenways, 1 Torquay Avenue Upper Claremont, ☎ 021-761-1792. Mo-Su 7AM-10PM. World class fine dining restaurant that offers international cuisine with a South African twist.
Long Street, which can be easily reached from St. George’s Cathedral and the Greenmarket Square, is famous for its bars, restaurants and clubs. This is the ideal place if you want to end the day with a drink. It is also one of the few truly multi-ethnic, multi-racial nightspots in the city. See the new South Africa, not just other tourists.
You will have live entertainment (normally something like jazz or kwaito music) in many bars and sometimes you will have to pay to get in.
A popular destination with locals is Camps Bay, which offers a vibrant night-life and many bars, restaurants and clubs.
Fiction Bar, 226 Long Street, ☎ +27 21 424 5709. renown club with weekly indie-, drum’n’bass- and minimal-electro-nights mostly around R30 admission.
Mercury Live & Lounge, 43 De Villiers Street (Zonnebloem). World Class Live Music, with students nights R20-40.
Era Night club, 71 Loop St, Cape Town City Centre, Tel (021) 422 0202, electronically based and aims to mentor and uplift the local electronic music scene.
District, 61c Harrington street, Cape Town, Hip House and Techno.
HQ, 100 Short Market Street, Cape Town, Parisian styled steakhouse, and bar is situated in the busy historic heritage square.
Aces and Spades, 62 Hout Street, City Centre, Cape Town, Rock – themed pub situated in the city Centre, they offer karaoke every Wednesday of the week.
Accommodation in Cape Town ranges from hostels (of which there are many) to luxury accommodation. Actually, there are so many hotels, B&Bs and guest houses that it can be difficult to decide where to stay!
Staying in city centre can often work out cheaper as obviously all the attractions are to hand, but stick to one of the neighbourhoods next to the central area for better prices and a quieter nights sleep. The area around vibey Kloof Street in Gardens/Tamboerskloof with its young cafe culture and hip shopping is a good choice. You could consider sleeping in one of the suburbs. It is normally quieter and there is less traffic than in Central Cape Town. The suburbs in the south, like Muizenberg, Fish Hoek or Simon’s Town, or near the winelands (see Cape Winelands)are ones to try. Areas along the western seaboard of the peninsula (such as Camps Bay) will be more expensive.
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If you have a cell phone get one of the cheap prepaid sim cards from either Vodacom, MTN, Cell C or Virgin Mobile and save money on local calls.
Overseas calls at local rates via the Celldial service. Call 087 940 6966 and follow the voice prompts. See www.celldial.co.za for supported countries.
Internet is available throughout Cape Town, and the inner city cafes are always hubs of activity. Charges per hour range from R5 (in town) to R50 (V&A waterfront).
Other internet cafes can be found all over the city and suburbs, with many coffee shops offering internet access.
Many Guesthouses in Cape Town provide WiFi free for their guests.
Always-On , +27 (0)11 575-2505, provides prepaid wifi access in a number of locations in Cape Town. Simply connect to the access point and you will be given the opportunity to pay for access by cr card. Pricing starts at around R15 for 10 minutes or R60 for 100MB.
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