When English explorer, Sir Francis Drake, landed in Cape Town, he described it as “the fairest Cape in all the circumference of the world”. There are very few places that can match the beauty of Cape Town.
The coastal city is renowned for its stunning landscape which includes the famous Table Mountain and Boulders Beach. Apart from its natural beauty, Cape Town is also a great travel destination for foodies and is considered one of the top culinary destinations in the world.
With South Africa being Visa free for Kenyans, you can start planning your dream holiday. Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie or a beach bum, there’s something for everybody to do while in Cape Town.
Here are some.
Take A Helicopter Ride
A helicopter ride in Cape Town is not only a bucket list item for many travel enthusiasts but also one of the best ways to appreciate the beauty of this city. At approximately 2,500 feet high, you get the perfect views of yacht-filled harbours, posh estates, white sandy beaches and blue-green ocean. Flights can be shared or booked exclusively. You can also take a ride somewhere special to enjoy a meal or a safari. Weight limits vary between 120 and 140kg, depending on the helicopter used. A helicopter ride for 12 minutes will cost you approximately Ksh 15,000.
Visit the colourful Bo-kaap
Bo-kaap which means above the Cape in Afrikaans is a vibrant neighbourhood on the slopes of Signal Hill above the city centre. It’s one of the most visited places in Cape Town thanks to its colourful houses and cobbled streets. However, the neighbourhood has come a long way since its inception in 1760. The owner of the land built houses and rented them out to his slaves. According to legend, one of the rental terms was that the walls should be kept white. When slavery was abolished in 1834, the former slaves were able to purchase their homes and many painted them bright colours. You can explore the area on foot, admiring the picturesque buildings and sampling the Cape Malay cuisine then make your way to the Bo-kaap Museum to learn more about the place.
Climb The Table Mountain
Before visiting Cape Town, make sure you pack your hiking shoes because you can’t leave without ascending its most iconic landmark. Table Mountain is a towering example of inspirational natural designs. The flat-topped mountain rises 1,087 meters above ground providing the perfect views of the seaside city. Depending on the route, it can take 2 to 4 hours to reach the top of the mountain. In case you can’t hike up, there are cable cars to take you there.
Have aquatic fun at Elgin River Lodge
Only an hour’s drive from Cape Town, Elgin River Lodge is close enough to visit for the day yet it feels like you’ve entered a different world. That’s the beauty of Cape Town. It offers the best of both worlds where nature and modernity co-exist in harmony. Elgin River Lodge sits on a 100-hectare farm consisting of a maze of roads and apple orchards that are great for hiking, biking and strolling. The Palmiet River cuts through the land providing a playground for water sports enthusiasts. You can go canoeing, slip ’n sliding, swimming, tubing, barge cruising, water-skiing and wakeboarding among other cool activities.
Ride The Cape Wheel
It’s hard to miss the giant Ferris wheel in the Market Square area of Cape Town. The wheel boasts 30 fully-enclosed, air-conditioned cabins that guarantee maximum comfort as you enjoy 360-degree views of the city. The cabin can hold a maximum of 4 people and 2 of the cabins are wheelchair friendly. While at the top, you can see Table Mountain, Robben Island, Cape Town City skyline, and Paarl Mountains. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete the ride. The Wheel operates daily from 9 am to 7 pm.
Visit The Robben Island
The infamous Robben Island served as a brutal prison for almost 400 years. Prisoners were subjected to hard labour in the lime quarry and would be kept in inhumane conditions in their small cells. It gained notoriety during the apartheid era after Nelson Mandela was imprisoned there for 18 years. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage site where people can visit, see the cell where Nelson Mandela was kept and pay their respects. Before embarking on the 30-minute boat ride to the island, visitors are taken through a multimedia exhibition in the museum.
See Penguins on Boulders Beach
Cape Town is truly a place of remarkable beauty and the penguins of Boulders Beach are a testament to this. The beach gets its name from the giant boulders that line the coast which are equally a sight to see. However, the stars of the show are the adorable African penguins that roam freely on the beach. The African penguins are an endangered species and it’s a treat to see them in person. Visitors can enjoy close encounters and take pictures with them.