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Cape Town, the tourist jewel of South Africa

Submitted by Lana on Tue, 04/10/2011 - 12:26

Nature has been generous to Cape Town. However, natural beauty alone would not have been enough to grant the city the place it enjoys as one of the favourite tourist destinations, both locally and worldwide.

The compelling and inclusive tourist offering complements the nature’s bounty to make Cape Town one of the best places in the world for both residents and tourists. Besides natural wonders, Cape Town has a vibrant city life and some of the best luxurious hotels.

Thanks to all these elements, Cape Town is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades. Here are the ones the city won this year: Africa’s leading destination (World Travel Awards); Second Best Beach City in the world (lonely Planet); and Choice best destination (TripAdvisor).

Other popular South African destination are the coastal regions of Port Elizabeth and Durban, inland destinations like Kruger National Park, Johannesburg and Sun City, as well as the Garden Route,  Mpumalanga, Namaqualand, and many more.

See more travel offers in South Africa on the local online marketplace bidorbuy.

5 top Capetonian hotels

According to DiscoverAfrica.com, the top five luxury hotels in Cape Town are:

  1. The Cellars-Hohenort, housed in the restored 18th Century wine cellars and the Manor House. It has 52 luxury rooms and suites, overlooking a spread of world renowned gardens and vineyard.
  2. The Cape Grace Hotel is situated on its own private quay in the centre of Cape Town’s Victoria and Albert Waterfront
  3. The Tajo Hotel is a five-star hotel is ideally located in the centre of historic Cape Town at the entrance to the famous pedestrian precinct, St George's Mall.
  4. The Twelve Apostles hotel and spa lies between mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, famous for the sunset views it offers.
  5. The Mount Nelson is situated close to the famous Table Mountain and all the top attractions the city has to offer. The hotel has six individual accommodation wings, each with its own private garden.

10 top beaches in Cape Town

Generally speaking, the Indian Ocean side beaches offer warmer sea and tamer scenery. Go there early in the morning, for the sun sets early. The Atlantic side beaches are renowned for the unforgettable views of the sun setting into the ocean.

Cape Town magazine recently put together a list of the top 10 city’s beaches. We give them here in the geographical order, from east to west, recommending to you to try them all as you make your way from the Indian ocean coast of the Cape Peninsula to the Atlantic Ocean coast. Stops at the Cape Point and Chapman’s Peak are compulsory!

  • Muizenberg: Big crowds, big fun and surfing lessons.
  • St. James Beach: Family beach with the iconic colourful beach huts and a large tidal pool.
  • Strand: Family beach on the False Bay coast.
  • Boulders Beach: The favourite spot for the local penguins. And trust them to know a good beach when they see one!
  • Long Beach: For romantic walks and horseback riding.
  • Sandy Bay: Known for nude sunbathing.
  • Llandudno: Lovely and sheltered, great for sporting families.
  • Camps Bay: Seamless transition between the beach and the clubs.
  • Clifton: Beautiful, sheltered and vibey.
  • Blouberg: Great kitesurfing and great view of Table Mountain.

Encounters of the baboon type

In and around Cape Town, human residents and visitors share the living space with other creatures. Among those “other creatures” are troops of baboons, which tend to react defensively when confronted by humans.

In September 2011, a committee has been set up in Cape Town to promote relations between the two species and ease the tensions between them. The aim is to ensure a sustainable baboon population living on the urban edges.

And what do you do suddenly come face to face with a baboon?The advice of the experts is: be determined, decisive and confident when driving it off. Plus, have a water pistol or a hose pipe at hand: baboons positively detest being sprayed with a strong stream of water.