Use Cape Town as your launching point to explore the base of South Africa. There is much for families to do and see both within the city and its surrounding areas.
When people think of visiting South Africa, safaris come to mind. However, the city of Cape Town is well worth being included on your itinerary. In addition to an exciting urban experience, there are numerous opportunities for day trips from the city.
Cape Town
Cape Town (also known as the Mother City) is the legislative capital of South Africa, located at the base of the country in the Western Cape. For an overview of the city, take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain. More adventurous folks can climb up for their panoramic view.
Once down from the mountain, your visit should include the Government Avenue area to see the Houses of Parliament, Company Gardens and the Great Synagogue. You could spend at least a day at Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (27 21 408-7600), which is full of shops, clubs, eateries and the five-star Table Bay Hotel (866/435-9277). A stroll on the streets of Cape Malay provides a site for sore eyes: the residents, whose ancestors hail from Malaysia, have painted their homes with every color of the rainbow.
Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is also home to the Two Oceans Aquarium (27 21 418-3823), which claims to be “Fresher Than Sushi.” Its over 50 exhibits include a predator tank with sharks, a kelp forest, the typical touch pool, and an interactive microscope display.
The South African Maritime Museum (27/21-405-2880) on the waterfront provides nautical buffs with historical information and artifacts about whaling, shipwrecks, and other aspects of maritime life near the Cape of Good Hope. The more general South African Museum (27 21 481-3800) shows off the country’s natural and social history, with everything from a large collection of giant squid to ceramics, furniture, toys, and weapons. The Planetarium is housed there as well.
Cape Town’s Waterfront & Townships
From Cape Town’s waterfront, you take a ferry 12 kilometers offshore for a tour of Robben Island (27 21 409-5100). I feel that because of the subject matter, this tour is not suitable for younger children, so this is more of an adult and teen excursion. Robben Island was a place of banishment for over 400 years. Its most famous resident was Nelson Mandela, who was held there during the apartheid era. It is gut-wrenching to see the abysmal way in which this man lived for over two decades. The fact that Mandela was still sane at the time of his release made me scratch my head. The tour is conducted by former political prisoners and includes a viewing of the beloved former president’s cell.
Visitors to Cape Town are encouraged to take a trip to the Townships. This tour will be an eye-opener for North American families who by and large have so much more. First, you might go to a visitor’s center to see the arts and crafts produced by the locals, and then you’ll step into the world of the poor and the very poor. Local residents will invite you into their homes; some, owned by the lucky educated ones who stayed in the community, are actually nice, but most homes are only shacks without electricity. So unreal–but unfortunately, it is very real. Amongst all this poverty are children, and believe it or not, they had smiles on their faces and just wanted to hold a foreigner’s hand.
Companies such as African Insight (27 21 426-5359) and Zikho Tours (27 82 687-0409) offer specialized cultural tours, including excursions to the Townships.
Details, Details
Other day trips from Cape Town include a visit to Hout Bay, once a fishing village, now a residential area in stark economic contrast to the Townships. Chapman’s Peak and sandy beaches make for stunning natural scenery in the area. From Hout Bay, you can take a cruise to Seal Island. Make sure to have plenty of film on hand–the seals are there in droves, and you might see a dolphin or two as well.
The 40-kilometer coastline of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve leads to Cape Point, where you can take The Flying Dutchman Funicular high to the top of the cliffs for the best view. Also at Cape Point, you can see old and new lighthouses, check the over 1,000 species species of indigenous plants and, from June to November, even do some land-based whale-watching.
On your way back to Cape Town, check out the adorable Jackass Penguins at Boulders Beach.
South African Airlines flies from New York to Johannesburg with frequent domestic connections to Cape Town.
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
you can subscribe to our twice monthly e-mail e-newsletter at this link for our Email List Serv.
https://myfamilytravels.us13.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=1b0a1654029b6444bf6ff3530&id=869c979acc
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is an extremely well written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and come back to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I’ll definitely return.
I will right away grab your rss as I can not find your email subscription link or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Cruise looks exciting, this experience will be nice.
The canoe ride looks very fun and exciting. I would like to experience this.
In brief, I can’t recommend this article enough. It’s a must-view for anyone interested in topic above. Good work to the writer, you have truly outsmart yourself! Keep the good blog coming.
Hey there! I simply would like to give you a big thumbs
up for your excellent info you have got right here on this post.
I will be coming back to your site for more soon.
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again very soon!
Woh I love your posts, saved to fav! .
I believe you have noted some very interesting points, thanks for the post.
Only a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw great design. “Reading well is one of the great pleasures that solitude can afford you.” by Harold Bloom.
I got what you intend, regards for posting.Woh I am happy to find this website through google. “The test and use of a man’s education is that he finds pleasure in the exercise of his mind.” by Carl Barzun.
I appreciate, cause I found just what I was looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
One more thing. In my opinion that there are a lot of travel insurance sites of reputable companies that allow you to enter your vacation details and get you the estimates. You can also purchase the international travel cover policy on-line by using your own credit card. All you should do is to enter all your travel specifics and you can start to see the plans side-by-side. Simply find the package that suits your capacity to pay and needs after which it use your bank credit card to buy them. Travel insurance on the web is a good way to start looking for a reliable company regarding international holiday insurance. Thanks for revealing your ideas.
Some truly quality blog posts on this web site, bookmarked.
Thanks for sharing, this is a fantastic blog post.Really thank you! Much obliged.
Definitely, what a great blog and revealing posts, I definitely will bookmark your site. Best Regards!
Thanks for your travel insurance idea. I am also planning for a tour.
I think this is among the most important information for me. And i’m glad reading your article. But want to remark on few general things, The site style is wonderful, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I have discovered some important matters through your blog post. One other thing I would like to state is that there are lots of games available and which are designed especially for toddler age kids. They consist of pattern recognition, colors, dogs, and styles. These commonly focus on familiarization rather than memorization. This helps to keep little ones occupied without sensing like they are studying. Thanks
It?s really a cool and useful piece of info. I?m glad that you shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.
Spot on with this write-up, I actually think this web site wants far more consideration. I?ll most likely be again to read far more, thanks for that info.
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours these days, but I never discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours.
It’s pretty worth enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net shall be much more useful than ever before.
Before my trip, I required all of these specifics, so I randomly looked for information about airline policies. Then I came across this helpful article containing all the necessary travel-related information. I appreciate you providing this insightful advice.
The decorations in NewYork city have always been in a full swing.
That’s an interesting experience, thanks for sharing your story
But a smiling visitant here to share the love (:, btw outstanding style and design. “Individuals may form communities, but it is institutions alone that can create a nation.” by Benjamin Disraeli.
Havve yyou ever consideed writiing ann e-book oor guest authoring on other sites?
I have a blogg based upon on the same topichs youu discuzs and
would love to have you sshare some stories/information. I know my visitors would
appreciate your work.If you’re evn remotely interested, eel free to senhd me an e mail.
Hello there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have got here on this
post. I’ll be returning to your website for more soon.
Appreciate this post. Let me try it out.
Very good article! We are linking to this great article on our site.
Keep up the good writing.
Excellent content writing, congratulations you are doing great!
Thank you so much! This was very helpful. Heading out to see the inflation in a few hours!! Happy Thanksgiving!
Definitely a totally motivating content!
Very good information, thank you for sharing it, it has helped me a lot to discover and learn a little more about this topic!
Hi, I’m glad you enjoyed your Orlando vacation! I have a few suggestions on how to make the most of your trip. First, I would recommend visiting the Magic Kingdom during the holidays. The decorations are really something special and you can’t beat the Christmas atmosphere. Second, I would recommend checking out some of the holiday shows and events that Orlando has to offer. There are some great shows for all ages, and you’re sure to find something that everyone will enjoy. Finally, I would recommend taking some time to enjoy the many great restaurants Orlando has to offer. There are some great places to eat, and you’re sure to find something to your taste. I hope you have a great time on your Orlando vacation!
It’s a nice spot to stay here. I found the environment to be relaxing. Such a location sounds like a great spot to spend my holiday. I’m considering some of the choices I found on https://santafe-vacationrentals.com/. They are great options in my opinion.
Wonderful blog! This is really informative and efficient information.
Hello.This article was really motivating, especially because I was searching for thoughts on this subject last Wednesday.
One more important area is that if you are a senior, travel insurance for pensioners is something you ought to really consider. The more mature you are, greater at risk you’re for allowing something awful happen to you while abroad. If you are never covered by some comprehensive insurance policies, you could have quite a few serious issues. Thanks for expressing your ideas on this weblog.
My partner and I absoluely love your blog annd finhd thee majority of your post’s too be precissly what I’m loooking for. Woujld you offfer guest writer too write conternt for you?
I wouldn’t minmd compossing a post oor elaborating on a number of thhe subjects youu write rellated to here.
Again, awesome site!
Really nice style and design and good content, nothing else we require :
D.
Excellent post. I certainly love this site. Keep writing!
Hi i aam kavin, itss mmy first occasion too commentinbg anyplace, when i read this piecee of writng i thougyt i coulld also creatfe comment due to this sensible piece of writing.