Cape TownSouth Africa

Nestled in the shadows of Table Mountain and close to the foaming waves of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town is a city that’s never far from the true majesty of the wild.

Hiking along one of the many nature trails will give you the chance to see wild antelope, ostriches or even baboons. Travel a little further and you’ll find African penguins in their thousands on the sands of Boulders Beach. For a more relaxed day out, take a cable car to the top of Table Mountain and allow yourself time to marvel at one of the greatest views in the world.

On returning to the city, you can soak up the atmosphere by settling down for a picnic amongst the floral gems in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.

If you’re interested in South Africa’s complex past, historical gold can be found at the South Africa Maritime Museum, Slave Lodge or the recently opened Jewish Museum. Nelson Mandela’s long struggle for freedom will come to life before your eyes if you visit Robben Island, where he was imprisoned during the years of apartheid.

Local delicacies such as spicy Babotie or soothing Melktert are well worth a taste. Choose from delicious street food straight from the carts in the Islamic quarter or today’s catch served up by the finest restaurants around on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront.

Many settlers have left their mark since Cape Town was first established by the Dutch East India Company. This can best be seen in the mixture of architectural styles around the city. Local Cape Dutch style houses rub shoulders with colourful Edwardian, elegant Victorian and gleaming modern architecture.

Cape Town’s warm climate is tempered by the breeze off the Atlantic, bringing down the humidity so that the heat doesn’t hit so hard. There is much to be discovered on the outskirts of the city. Pack more into your stay by hiring a car or trying out the public bus network to explore the myriad of wonders in Table Mountain National Park.