What to do in the Western Cape

Lush greenery of the Western Cape Winelands. Photo: Jeanine Smal / Pixabay

With the picturesque and recreational offerings of the Western Cape, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to activities.

Trek up Table mountain

View of Table Mountain, Cape Town. Photo: Tembela Bohle / Pexels

Why you should visit: One of, if not the most iconic landmarks in South Africa – Table Mountain – is the statuesque sentinel of Cape Town. Take the cable car ride or get those legs working with a hike up to the top. Either way, the views will leave you breathless.

Galavant on the Garden Route

Outeniqua Pass, George. Photo by Leandra Walker

Why you should visit: The magnificent Garden Route is a 300-kilometer-long coastal route that runs along South Africa’s southern coast from Mossel Bay right up to Storms River in the Eastern Cape. There are stop-overs galore along this route – George, Knysna and Wilderness to name just a few.

The Klein Karoo

The Cango Caves in the foothills of the Swartberg Mountains, Oudtshoorn. Photo: South African Tourism / Flickr

Why you should visit: The Klein Karoo or Little Karoo is a 350-kilometre-long valley which starts off in Montagu in the west and ends near De Rust in the east. It’s a great expanse of open land, filled with endless plateaus and skies, enough to make one realise how big the world really is. A very notable landmark in the Klein Karoo are the Cango Caves in Oudtshoorn – a natural wonder, filled with eerie tunnels and awe-inspiring structures.

Wine and dine in the Winelands

Hugenot Memorial Museum in Franschoek – portrays the history of the French Hugenots who came to South Africa in the 17th century. Photo: Pexels / Pixabay

Why you should visit: The Cape Winelands is the Western Cape’s premier wine-producing region. Consisting of many towns like Stellenbosch, Paarl, Franschhoek, and Wellington, it not only produces some of the best wine in the country but it’s also soaked in history and is ideal for the culture-buff. Fine dining establishments abound in the Winelands, including South African celebrity chef, Reuben Riffel’s restaurant in Franschhoek.

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