Nestled between the iconic Table Mountain and the glistening Atlantic Ocean, Cape Town is renowned as one of the most breathtaking cities in the world. Its dramatic landscapes, pristine beaches, vibrant city center, and rich cultural tapestry make it a must-visit destination for travelers of all interests.
Cape Town effortlessly combines natural beauty with urban sophistication. From its architecturally charming city streets and designer shopping districts to the lively craft markets and colorful neighborhoods, the city invites exploration at every turn. Whether relaxing on a white-sand beach, savoring world-class cuisine and wine, or hiking Table Mountain at sunrise, Cape Town guarantees unforgettable moments.
Table Mountain, Cape Town’s most iconic landmark, offers unbeatable views of the city, coastline, and mountains. Adventurers can hike trails like Platteklip Gorge or Skeleton Gorge, while others can take the rotating cable car for a more leisurely ascent. Once at the summit, enjoy panoramic vistas, spot unique flora and fauna, and capture memorable photos of the city’s breathtaking backdrop.
The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront is Cape Town’s vibrant entertainment hub. With luxury shops, local crafts, and top-rated restaurants, it’s perfect for dining and shopping. Families can visit the Two Oceans Aquarium or take a harbor cruise, while art lovers can explore Zeitz MOCAA. The lively atmosphere, street performers, and scenic marina make it a must-visit for all ages.
Step back into history with a guided tour of Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years. Accessible by ferry from the V&A Waterfront, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a deeply moving experience. Former prisoners lead the tours, sharing firsthand accounts of the struggle against apartheid. It’s an essential visit for anyone seeking to understand South Africa’s past.
Nestled in Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach is home to a colony of endangered African penguins. Boardwalks provide close encounters with these adorable birds in their natural habitat without disturbing them. Families can also relax on the sandy beach, with calm waters perfect for swimming. It’s a unique wildlife experience that delights both kids and adults alike.
Just an hour from Cape Town, the Cape Winelands offers world-class wine estates in Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, and Paarl. In idyllic vineyard settings, you can enjoy guided tastings of award-winning wines paired with gourmet meals. Many estates also feature historical architecture, art galleries, and picnic spots. The region is a must for wine enthusiasts and a feast for the senses.
Chapman’s Peak Drive is one of the world’s most scenic coastal routes. The winding road hugs towering cliffs, offering breathtaking ocean views and photo stops. Pack a picnic at one of the viewpoints or continue the drive to Cape Point. Whether you’re driving, cycling, or hiking along the way, this route promises unforgettable landscapes and adventure.
You can’t miss Table Mountain. Its famous flat-topped silhouette is the first thing you’ll see when flying into Cape Town. Since this iconic landmark, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World is located in the heart of the city, there’s no excuse not to visit it.
Table Mountain has mass appeal. First, it offers unparalleled views of the city and beyond—everybody loves a good view! Second, for budding botanists, the 35-square-mile area comprising Table Mountain and the Back Table is home to more than 1,470 floral species, many of which are endemic.
Wildlife fans can also visit some fascinating animal species. While leopards once roamed the mountain (pre-1920s), the biggest cat you may see today is the rooikat. Other animals that call the mountain home include rock hyrax (dassie), porcupines, mongooses, snakes, tortoises and the very rare Table Mountain Ghost Frog. Several exceptional raptors are often spotted, such as jackal buzzards, booted eagles, peregrine falcons and African harrier-hawks.
Standing at 3,563 feet, Table Mountain is accessible, provided you are suitably fit. Several routes lead up the mountain, with Platteklip Gorge, a prominent gorge leading to the center of the main table, being one of the most popular. While quite steep, the ascent is straightforward and should take one to three hours, depending on your fitness level.
If you don’t fancy all that exertion – after all, you are on holiday – there is a cableway, which carries up to 65 passengers per trip. The journey takes about 5 minutes, and the car rotates 360 degrees, giving you spectacular views of the mountain below. This is an enjoyable experience in itself. If you want to hike, we’d recommend hiking up and taking the cableway down to try out both experiences. Or, even better – visit more than once!
The cableway station has a curio shop and a restaurant. The plateau offers easy walks, the Dassie Walk, the Agama Walk, and the Klipspringer Walk. Free guided walks depart an hour from the Twelve Apostles Terrace.
The walk paths at the top of the mountain cover more than 1.24 miles. You can also walk to lookout points from which you can view spectacular vistas over the city, including Sea Point, the V&A Waterfront, Robben Island, Signal Hilthe l, Cape Penins, Ula and Devil’s Peak.
If you are feeling energetic and adventurous, there is an option to abseil 370 feet down a sheer cliff, which takes about 45 minutes, including the demonstration and a short hike back up to the top.
Cape Town’s coastal regions are a buzz of activity and beauty, from the mountains to the beaches, as much a part of the city as Table Mountain. They offer bustling nightclubs and restaurants, Blue Flag beaches, and stunning sunset viewing spots.
There are several beaches to visit, each with its charm and attraction. Camps Bay, the largest white-sand beach in Cape Town, is a favorite among tourists and locals. It is lined with shops and eateries.
A 15-minute drive from the city center, Camps Bay is a popular cocktail and beach sports spot. The size of the beach lends itself to beach soccer, beach volleyball and games of touch rugby. Away from the sand, the fashionable bars and restaurants lining the Camps Bay promenade buzz day and night.
As locals affectionately know, Hout Bay, or the Republic of Hout Bay, is a fantastic seaside neighbourhood in Cape Town. It offers something for everyone just 12.4 miles from the city’s central district. It boasts a beautiful white-sand beach where locals laze and walk their dogs, a bustling marina, art galleries, restaurants, and a working harbour that serves its thriving tuna, snoek, and crayfish industry.
Hout Bay offers various outdoor activities, from hiking and mountain biking through the surrounding mountains to sea kayaking and sunset cruises. You may see kelp forests and many sea animals, including fur seals during these activities.
The famous Boulders Beach is the home of a large colony of African penguins, formally known as jackass penguins. They are the only penguins found on the continent. Boulders Beach has protection from large waves and the wind thanks to the surrounding ancient granite boulders, making it an ideal swimming spot for kids.
The beach is part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area, so it is always clean and safe, making it a wonderful place to spend a day.
“The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators. To qualify for the Blue Flag, stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.” Blue Flag.
South Africa has 46 Blue Flag Beaches, 10 of which are in Cape Town. The following beaches were awarded the status for the forthcoming season:
No trip to Cape Town is complete without exploring the Cape Peninsula, a 32-mile stretch of breathtaking coastline and charming villages south of the city. This ultimate day trip has natural beauty, unique attractions, and activities for all ages. Whether you choose a guided tour, drive yourself, or join a sightseeing excursion, you’re in for an unforgettable adventure.
Often called one of the world’s most scenic drives, Chapman’s Peak Drive is a 3.1-mile engineering marvel linking Hout Bay to Noordhoek. The dramatic cliffside road offers sweeping ocean views, with plenty of viewpoints perfect for capturing jaw-dropping photos. Sunset drives here are particularly spectacular.
Situated in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point is a wild and windswept promontory that feels like the end of the Earth. Climb the historic lighthouse for panoramic views of the Atlantic and False Bay. Explore hiking trails, spot wildlife like baboons and ostriches, and visit pristine beaches. Don’t miss the short drive to the Cape of Good Hope, the southwesternmost point of Africa.
At Boulders Beach, boardwalks allow you to get close to thousands of adorable penguins in their natural habitat. Watch them waddle, swim, and relax on the beach. The area also offers calm waters for a family-friendly swim.
Kalk Bay is a bohemian fishing village brimming with charm. Explore quirky shops, enjoy fresh seafood, and watch fishing boats unload their catch. A little further along, Muizenberg, with its colorful beach huts and laid-back vibe, is a hotspot for beginner surfers.
These quieter coastal villages are ideal for those seeking a more relaxed pace. Noordhoek boasts a long stretch of white-sand beach perfect for horse riding, while Scarborough offers unspoiled beauty and a peaceful atmosphere.
Just a short drive from Cape Town, the Cape Winelands is a region of rolling vineyards, historic towns, and award-winning wineries. With breathtaking landscapes and a legacy of producing some of the world’s finest wines, the Winelands is a must-visit destination for foodies, wine enthusiasts, and nature lovers.
Whether indulging in wine tastings, enjoying gourmet meals, or exploring the picturesque countryside, the Cape Winelands promises an unforgettable experience.
Stellenbosch
South Africa’s most famous wine region, Stellenbosch, is a charming town with oak-lined streets, historic Cape Dutch architecture, and a wealth of top-tier wineries.
Franschhoek
Famed for its French heritage, Franschhoek offers a blend of elegance, fine wines, and gourmet dining.
Paarl
A more laid-back region, Paarl offers scenic beauty and some of the country’s most historic wineries.
Constantia
The closest wine region to Cape Town, Constantia is rich in history and produces some of the world’s finest dessert wines.
Robertson Wine Valley
For a more off-the-beaten-path experience, the Robertson Wine Valley offers boutique wineries and warm hospitality.
American citizens do not need a visa to visit South Africa for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. However, they must have a valid passport with at least two blank pages for entry stamps and should ensure that the passport is valid for at least 30 days beyond the exit date from South Africa.
We recommend consulting your doctor for the most current vaccination advice specific to South Africa and ensuring you’re up to date with the vaccinations recommended in your home country. You can also check the Travel.State.Gov website for additional guidance on recommended vaccinations for your trip.
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When you consider booking with us, you’re more than just a number. We begin with Zoom meetings to discuss your safari in detail, answer all your questions, and ensure we understand your desires for the trip. As your departure date approaches, we set up a dedicated WhatsApp group to keep in touch and provide real-time updates, ensuring you feel supported at every step.
To keep your adventure organized and stress-free, we offer an app that downloads and makes your entire itinerary easily accessible. No matter where you are, all your journey details are at your fingertips.
Every Ntaba African Safari is fully guided by experts who are passionate about sharing Africa’s wonders with you. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all. Each itinerary is customized to match your interests, and your input is valued every step of the way.
As a family-owned business, Robin and Stella Mountain pour their heart and soul into making your safari an unforgettable experience. With Ntaba African Safaris, you’re not just traveling but joining a family dedicated to crafting the perfect African adventure and sharing our passion and knowledge of Africa.
For more information, visit ntabaafrica.com or contact us at info@ntabaafrica.com | (502) 545 0207. Let’s start planning your dream safari today!