Travel-and-Leisure
Areas to visit in the Western Cape of South Africa
The Western Cape Province in South Africa can be divided into six areas.
Central & Klein Karoo:
The Klein Karoo lies between the Outeniqua, Langeberg and Swartberg mountain ranges, it is an area of contrasting landscapes, magnificent sunsets and ostrich-producing Oudtshoorn. The Central Karoo is dryer and more vast, is the main sheep farming region in the country, is world-renowned for its fossils and its capital Beaufort-West was the birthplace of heart-surgeon Dr. Christiaan Barnard. Don't miss eating Karoo Lamb at one of the fine restaurants.
West Coast:
The West Coast is highly popular amongst photographers, artists, adventurers and bird watchers for its unspoilt beaches, magnificent mountain ranges, spectacular spring wild flowers, San rock art and areas attracting large numbers of birds. Many small, picturesque villages dot the coastline, but don't miss Darling for the flowers, Langebaan, Saldanha Bay, Citrusdal, Clanwilliam and surrounds, Vanrhynsdorp for the rock art and Elands Bay for surfing.
Cape Peninsula:
The Cape Peninsula stretches from Cape Town's city centre to Cape Point, where the Atlantic and the Indian oceans meet. Along this coast you will find the Western Cape's famous beaches e.g. Camps Bay and Clifton and the nudist beach of Sandy Bay. Visit the enchanting fishing villages of Hout Bay with its famous Mariner's Wharf and Simon's Town with its Boulders beach and seal colony. Activities include bathing, diving, fishing, hiking, visiting museums, forts, art routes, shopping and enjoying the excellent seafood on offer. Carved into solid rock, Chapman's Peak Drive is one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the world, starting in Hout Bay and ending at Noordhoek allowing you to enjoy the panoramic scenery at several look-out points.
The Winelands:
Home to many of the country's best, award-winning wines, the region features vineyards and fruit orchards in beautiful green valleys surrounded by mountain ranges and dotted with historic towns and villages. Towns that are a must-see include Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, world-famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies. Wine routes and brandy routes can be explored including tastings along the way.
Breede River Valley:
This is the largest fruit and wine producing valley of the Western Cape and is the country's leading racehorse breeding area. The area stretches from Gouda in the west, McGregor in the south, Montagu in the east to Tankwa-Karoo National Park in the north. This is an area of magnificant views, panoramic lanscapes and towering cliffs, crystal-clear streams, an abundance of trees and indigenous flora such as fynbos and proteas.
The Garden Route:
The Garden Route, with its spectacular scenic beauty, runs parallel to the Cape coastline featuring lakes, mountains, tall indigenous forests, amber-coloured rivers, golden beaches and towns along the way. Meandering trails are followed by hikers, the forest invites long, leisurely drives, and the lakes and rivers lend themselves to swimming, boating and fishing. Must-see towns along the way include the Garden Route's gateway, George, Wilderness, Sedgefield, Knysna with its famous Heads and oysters and Plettenberg Bay. The area is phenomenal for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
The Overberg:
Hermanus offers the best whale viewing from land in the world with a cliff path stretching from one side of the town to the other and a whale watching hotline. Walker Bay is a nursery for the great Southern Right Whale and don't miss Bientang's Cave where you can taste excellent seafood inside a cave and view the whales. Don't miss the Harold Porter National Botanical Garden with over 5 hectares of cultivated fynbos garden and 195 hectares of natural fynbos; the delightful fishing village Arniston, the southernmost tip of Africa - the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse Museum, Caledon for its Wild Flower Show in September and hot mineral springs and the charming colonial town of Swellendam.
Come to the Western Cape Province in South Africa a wonder filled destinations.
Gerald Crawford was born in South Africa, studied electronics, telecommunication, eco-travel and african travel concepts. He taught responsible tourism in South Africa. If you have any questions or comments please e-mail me on. E-mail Address: southafricantravelarticles@12234455.co.za Website Address: http://www.12234455.co.za |
Gerald Crawford
Similar articles
Andalusian Miracle
Old proverb say ? those who haven?t seen Seville, haven?t seen miracles. It true to some extent ? hardly you can imagine what a city like Seville exists, when you get there, it? Read more →Antarctica Explorers
Across the different countries and continents in the world, the histories of different places often include very notable periods or eras that have significantly changed the lives of the people who live in different areas. Read more →Arizona Exposition and State Fair
Phoenix, Arizona comes alive in mid-October as its State Fair starts the three weeks of exposition and entertainment that young and old anticipate throughout the year. Read more →Artful Living in the Present - Intensive Retreat in Guatemala 2006
In June of 2004, we were looking for an exotic, not too popular and remote place overseas for a summer meditation / yoga retreat and vacation. My partner Stan who teaches a form of yoga and qi-gong which he developed called qi-yoga and myself, a teacher of Living in the Present / dynamic mindfulness meditation, found Villa Sumaya (heaven on earth in Arabic) - a retreat center at lake Atitlan - which turned to be the ideal place for ourselves and the three busy New Yorkers (in desperate need for an end summer get away) who joined us. Read more →Aphorism
The personal appropriation of clichs is a condition for the spread of cultural tourism.