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Described by Sir Francis Drake as “the fairest Cape in all the circumference
of the earth”, the southwestern tip of South Africa has attracted seafarers
since the 16th century. Today few people fail to recognize the iconic images
of cloud drifting across the flat top of Table Mountain, whales leaping
dramatically out of the Atlantic Ocean, or sweeping wild beaches backed
by towering mountains and verdant forests. South Africa is also home to a
fascinating mix of cultures and its history is compelling too, from the early
hunter-gatherers to the arrival of the Europeans, the Boer War and the more
recent breakdown of Apartheid. This is reflected in colonial architecture, lively
townships, moving memorials and contemporary museums. Cape Town,
one of the world’s favourite cities, features historic monuments, the botanical
gardens of Kirstenbosch, the famous Constantia wine estates, and has some
of the best eating and shopping opportunities on the African continent.
Beyond Cape Town, the Winelands’ old towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek
and Paarl nestle in a range of low mountains and scenic valleys covered by
the vineyards of historic wine estates which have been cultivating grapes
for some 300 years. The southern coast claims to have the best land-based
whale watching in the world; in season, sightings are almost guaranteed
from the clifftops in Hermanus, while further south the waters around
Gansbaai are home to seals, penguins and great white sharks.
To the east, the famous Garden Route is a 200-km stretch of rugged coast
backed by mountains, with long expanses of sand, nature reserves, leafy
forests and seaside towns. The larger resorts are highly developed for
tourism while other areas offer stunning uncrowded beaches, pretty
wildernesses and wonderful hikes, and there are various attractions
hugging the N2 coast road to distract the motorist.
