Western Cape – Home to Table Mountain, the Garden Route and Robben Island
With the warm Indian Ocean lapping its southern shores and the icy Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Western Cape Province of South Africa offers visitors a world of diversity. The coastline to the west with its small fishing villages and pounding surf has a rugged charm, while to the south lies the picturesque seaside towns of Hermanus and Gansbaai, as well as Cape Agulhas - where the two oceans collide tumultously - and De Hoop Nature Reserve, along what is known as the Cape Whale Coast. Heading along the southern coast toward the Eastern Cape is the Wilderness National Park, incorporating the breath-taking scenery of Mossel Bay, George, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Cape Town, affectionately known as the “Mother City”, is the cultural, business and political hub of the province. Having served as a replenishment station for seafaring vessels for centuries, welcoming settlers from France, Holland, Britain, Germany and other diverse countries, Cape Town is rich in history and a melting pot of cultural diversity which is most appealing. With the iconic Table Mountain as its backdrop, Cape Town is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
The Cape Winelands, with its vast stretches of vineyards changing colors with the seasons, whitewashed Cape Dutch manor homes and majestic mountains, is a popular holiday destination. The many wine routes winding their way through this region make it possible for visitors to enjoy the local award-winning “fruit of the vine”, world class cuisine and warm hospitality, all in a setting of great beauty and tranquility. Stroll down the oak-lined avenues of Stellenbosch, home to the oldest university in South Africa and the heart of the wine industry, or incorporate the beautiful towns of Franschhoek, Wellington and Paarl into your travels.
More fascinating facets of the Western Cape are revealed in the orchards, grain fields, forests and sweeping vistas of the Overberg, the craggy wilderness of the Cederberg, the wide open spaces of the Groot Karoo, the amazing Cango Caves at Oudtshoorn in the Klein Karoo and much, much more. There are certainly a multitude of reasons why you should consider the Western Cape Province of South Africa as your next vacation destination.