Many discerning travelers often ask me “why would I want to include Cape Town in my South Africa vacation itinerary? Isn’t it just like any other city?” The short answer to that question is “Heck no!”
Cape Town is among one of the very top best cities to visit in the entire world. And it’s no wonder. No matter your interests and vacation preferences, there is something for everyone to experience in Cape Town. And, in my opinion, the best way to experience Cape Town is to have a little taste of everything!
Below are 10 reasons why you should include Cape Town on your African safari vacation itinerary:
1. There is something for EVERYONE to enjoy in Cape Town: From gorgeous landscapes to fascinating historical sites and world-renowned restaurants to beautiful beaches, Cape Town is a must-visit destination for anyone planning a trip to Africa. This is why a family vacation or multi-generational trip to Cape Town is so ideal–everyone can choose something that they want to do! There are also a wide variety of kid-friendly activities to choose from if you have smaller children traveling with you, such as the Two Oceans Aquarium, Butterfly World, Eagle Encounters Raptor Rehabilitation Centre, Little Cooks Club, and so much more.
2. Accommodations in the city are exceptional and unique to the area: Whether you’re looking for an intimate bed and breakfast feel, a lavish 5-star hotel experience, or a luxurious resort atmosphere, Cape Town offers a delightful selection of properties to choose from.
Cape Grace Hotel is an excellent example of an opulent 5-star hotel in Cape Town. Situated on the famous Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, guests have spectacular views of the bustling harbor on one side and the stunning Table Mountain on the other. Visitors are right on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, which means they are within immediate walking distance of fashionable clothing boutiques, home decor shops, and exceptional restaurants and bistros. The hotels also features the award-winning Signal Restaurant and a lavish downstairs bar / lounge area that is a famous hangout spot for locals.
Image above taken from Cape Grace Hotel website
Another one of our favorite properties in Cape Town is the Four Rosmead Boutique Guest House, which is celebrated for its incredible authenticity, personal services, location, and luxurious décor. Located on the slopes of Table Mountain, Four Rosmead boasts spectacular views of Lions Head, Signal Hill, Table Bay, and gorgeous Cape Town and is within walking distance of museums, shops, and restaurants. The boutique size of the guest house means that visitors experience an intimate atmosphere with top-of-the-line service.
3. Award-winning spas in Cape Town enable you to unwind after an exciting vacation filled with safari and adventure: Once you’ve had your fill of exhilarating safari tours, it’s time to find pure relaxation and unwind at one of Cape Town’s world-class spas. There are a handful of exceptional ones to choose from, but three of our favorites include Equinox Spa, Suntra Spa, and 12 Apostles Spa. All three of these luxurious spas offer the ultimate wellness retreat with signature treatments and soothing ambiance.
4. Learn about one of the greatest political leaders in the world–Nelson Mandela: Off the coast of Cape Town is the famous Robben Island, known primarily as the place where Nelson Mandela was once imprisoned for his fight against Apartheid. During a boat ride to Robben Island you’ll be able to see some truly exceptional marine mammals indigenous to the area, including Cape fur seals, southern right whales, and several dolphin species.
Upon arrival at Robben Island, you’ll enjoy an exceptional tour where you’ll learn about some of the residential wildlife, as well as some of the historical significance this island holds. History buffs and intuitive travelers alike find Robben Island to be one of the most intriguing places to take a step back in time—a time when great national leaders, icons, African citizens, and criminals were punished and imprisoned. This Island was also used as a place of hospitalization and quarantine for people with leprosy.
5. Experience the most profound adventure of your life on a shark cage diving trip: Just a two-hour drive from Cape Town is the world’s most famous destination for shark cage diving: Gansbaai, South Africa. Here, there are a variety of shark cage diving companies to choose from but we suggest Marine Dynamics. On a shark cage diving tour with Marine Dynamics you’ll enjoy a half day out on the water and 20 – 30 minutes in the cage! Once you’re in the water you’ll come face to face with the magnificent great white shark and most likely see one breach or even touch the cage. It’s a super exciting experience that shouldn’t be missed.
See below for a video we took from the Marine Dynamics boat during a shark cage diving expedition:
6. Witness one of the world’s most beautiful Natural World Heritage Sites, Table Mountain: Arguably Cape Town’s most iconic points of interest is Table Mountain. It dominates the entire Cape Town horizon and is magnificent in its sheer size and beauty. During a trip to Cape Town you can go up Table Mountain via rotating cable car or enjoy a nice hike up the mountainside (which is quite strenuous, so make sure you’re up for a challenge if you choose to hike the mountain!).
7. Explore vibrant Cape Malay flavors on a cooking tour: During a Cape Malay cooking tour in Cape Town you will visit a local South African’s home to cook up some Cape Malay favorites! You’ll experience a hands-on cooking course from local as you taste new spices and wines, and chat with other travelers in your group.
During this extensive cooking class, you’ll learn about the Ying and the Yang of the Cape spices and how the balance of spices affects the flavors of each dish. Some dishes you’ll learn to cook might include roti—a flaky, pastry-like dish filled with curry and minced lamb or chicken; samosa—a delicious triangular pastry filled with curry, cheese, and chicken or lamb, that is deep fried to perfection; bobotie—one of my favorite dishes, which is comprised of ground beef cooked in an egg custard; sosaties—sweet-curry-marinated kebabs comprised of lamb, chicken, or mutton; and Bredie—a slow-cooked stew comprised of meat, vegetables and an edible lily called a waterblommetjie.
8. Smell the sweet flowers on a trip to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens: Just outside of the Cape Town city center is the beautiful Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, famous for its thousands (7,000 to be exact!) of South Africa flora species. The Gardens feature flora from all over South Africa, enabling visitors to get an overall look at the abundant plant life found within the entire country.
9. Soak in some sun at one of Cape Town’s premier beaches: Arguably the most beautiful seaside city, Cape Town is home to a variety of exceptional beaches. And because the Cape Town peninsula divides the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, you can choose between an Atlantic coast beach or an Indian one! Some beaches tend to be more crowded than others, so when you plan your trip, make sure to research the beaches to see which one is ideal for you. Some of the most popular beaches include Clifton, Camps Bay, Bakoven, Llandudno, and Hout Bay.
10. Give back to the local communities on a philanthropic cultural tour: One of our favorite Cape Town-based organizations, that offers exceptional eco-tourism programs for curious and philanthropic individuals and couples, alike, is the Uthando South Africa organization. Offering over 30 different Philanthropic Cultural Tours, Uthando enables travelers to choose programs based on their individual interests and personal preferences. Some of these projects include Greenpop (an initiative created to plant trees in urban areas), Hout Bay Music Project (musical instruction to underprivileged kids), Volcano Arts Project (community theater program), and NOAH (aid to the elderly), to name a few.
Generally speaking, these tours offer a deep insight into South Africa’s social, political, economical, health, education, and housing issues, as well as its historical background—a rare and inspirational opportunity.
