Cape Town is, as I have said before, one of my all time favorite cities. But as a traveler, you have to know what you’re doing and where you’re going at all times. If you don’t, there is a fair chance your capetown-vacation ends up in the “memories-to-forget-drawer”. Cape Town seems to be haunted by brutal crimes that can scare the guts out of the biggest rugby player, but it also offers beautiful beaches, amazing mountains and landscape, interesting architecture, friendly people, and lots of culture, food and nightlife. And by following my simple tips below, I think your vacation is more likely to become a huge success!
My to-do-in-capetown-list:
- Check out the capetown beaches. Top picks are Clifton, Camps Bay and Llandudno. Choose the latter for a quiet laid-back beach experience, the others for your fancy urban beach days.
- Climb at least one of the three mountains that surround the city. Table Mountain is the most iconic but also most crowded. Devils peak is a great, but more challenging hike with barely any tourists. Lions head is the easier hike and somewhat crowded. They all have amazing views over Cape Town!
- If you’re out after dark; know where you’re going and don’t go there alone. If you go alone you’ll probably survive, but the chances are that you will lose your wallet, cash, cellphone and camera on the way.
- To avoid loosing it all if you actually get mugged, you should keep your credit cards and passport in a hidden money pouch. Always have some cash available to hand over, as you never know the outcome if you make the robber more upset by not giving anything away.
- Dont show of your flashy accessories like i-pods, cameras, watches, sun glasses, etc. You understand why.
- Now that you’re introduced to the safety points, I would recommend that you take a day trip to one of the townships. You can’t say that you’ve seen Cape Town without seeing one of the bigger townships, as that is where a lot of the capetownian life happens on a day to day basis. Khayelitsha is the largest and most popular. And not as dangerous as a lot of tourists think. Go with a couple of friends (I would go independently rather than a organized tour), and just hang out for a while. Get home before dark.
- To get a feeling of Cape Towns history, check out the District 6 museum and Robben Island. I committed the crime of not visiting either of these during my stay there, and I still feel guilty.
- For fun nightlife you have several options in Cape Town. Long Street and the area around is the most popular location for bars and clubs. But if you’re looking for a more grungy, laid-back or alternative scene you could also check out Lower Main street in Observatory.
- Try at least one out of the three: Surfing, shark cage diving or paragliding of Lions Head.
- Go to the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope. It gives a special feeling to stand at the southern tip of the huge African continent. (It’s not the actual southernmost point, but don’t let that ruin the amazing and dramatic feeling).
That was my tips, please share your own advice below!
My advice would be to take the Table Mountain Cableway. From the top of the mountain you are treated to panoramic views of Cape Town and Table Bay it’s breathtaking!
That is a good advice that definitely belongs on this list!!
[...] Ten tips to a succesfull Cape Town vacation [...]
That’s definitely a good list you got there!
I’m just not too sure I agree with point 6. I wouldn’t really recommend going to one of the townships with a “couple of friends” and without an organized tour. Having said that, I don’t mean a bus with 50 tourists, but rather a small local organizer like http://www.nthusengtours.co.za/Pages/township.html or http://www.nomvuyos-tours.co.za/index.shtml.
I would add a few things to your list. If one is interested in history, then Robben Island is of course a must. And also the Castle of Good Hope is quite interesting to check out.
On the way to Cape Point, stop at Boulders Beach for the penguin colony. There are just too cute and one can see them really up close!
For plant lovers, Kirstenbosch Gardens is a must. Also the Company’S Garden are interesting with the oldest pear tree in South Africa (1652).
These are just a few additions.
Yeah, point 6 requires that you don’t walk wildly around without any clue of where you are. But I think that as long as you stay around the markets and crowded areas, plus make sure to get home before dark, you should be safe.
I agree 100% with the other advice that you shared! Thank you very much!!
And if you want to see the penguins you have to check out this post: http://www.theafricatravelblog.com/tips-advice/where-to-see-penguins-in-south-africa-of-course/
Here are some more travel tips:
1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on business, put the company’s address on the tag; if visiting friends you can list their address. Use covered luggage tags as well.
2. Stay with your luggage until the luggage is checked. If you must put your bag down, keep one foot on the handle.
3. Carry important papers with you; NEVER check anything that you simply cannot afford to lose. Photocopy your passport, driver’s license and credit cards.
4. Bring a small flashlight. You never know when you’ll suddenly be “in the dark” and find yourself in unfamiliar surroundings. At night, keep your flashlight by your bed.
Thanks for those important points!
It’s good to be careful with your luggage and always carry on as much as possible. Anywhere you fly in the world, you never know what will arrive at the destination with you.
And the flashlight is nice to have during the more or less frequent power cuts in Africa.
[...] Virginia bed and breakfast: Here are some more travel tips: 1. Never list your home address on the luggage tag. If on… [...]