Connecting African Culture Through the Seas
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
This enticing southwestern region boasts some of the most popular attractions in all of South Africa. The massive province of Western Cape is not only home to Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, but also the Western Cape winelands, the lovely fishermen’s villages of the West Coast, the forests and scenic beaches of the Garden Route on the east coast, and the arid Cederberg mountain range to the north.
The centerpiece is Cape Town, a world-class city with adventure, shopping, beaches, history, culture, fashion, food, and wine all thrown into the mix. Located in the shadow of the iconic Table Mountain, the “Mother City”’s bustling center is full of abundant markets, chic galleries and stylish restaurants, and is fringed by refreshing golden beaches, stunning mountains begging to be hiked, and genteel winelands waiting to be explored.
Head slightly to the east and you’ll reach the Overberg region, a popular spot for a weekend getaway from Cape Town that’s best explored by car over a few days. Hermanus, probably the best-known town in the Overberg, offers beaches, farmer’s markets, shopping, shark-cage diving and whale-watching. Elsewhere in the Overberg you’ll find country restaurants, quaint farm stores, breweries, hiking and mountain biking routes, river cruises, and gorgeous nature reserves such as De Hoop.
Road trippers also love the Garden Route, a stunning 800-km stretch of Indian Ocean coastline that runs between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth along the N2 motorway. Probably the country’s most famous drive, the Garden Route encompasses forest parks, quaint seaside towns, and majestic mountains in which to partake in adventure sports.
And it doesn’t stop there. From the hot springs of Montagu, to the ostrich farms of Oudtshoorn, to the rugged scenery of the Swartberg pass, to the dry expanses of the Tankwa Karoo, to quaint dorps like Paternoster, Western Cape is truly a microcosm of all South Africa has to offer.
Safety: All the usual precautions should be taken as anywhere else in South Africa: don’t flash cash, jewelry or electronic devices; don’t wander into unfamiliar areas at night (either on foot or in a car); when going out at night, go in a group; and be very careful who you give your credit or debit card information to.
The Amazing Journey of Bill Pinkney Imagine leaving your life and the familiar touch of soil beneath your feet to sail across treacherous seas around the globe with only a …
Hiking enthusiasts will instantly fall in love with the stunning scenery and diverse wildlife in South Africa’s Western Cape province. The area is home to some of the best places …