V-Flyer

Having read all the amazing TRs and realising this forum is a great source of information, I'd like to ask your opinion on what to do in CT. We are travelling out UC in April for a wedding and have only 2 nights in the city before heading to the garden route.
Obviously the mountain is a must, what else do you all suggest? We are staying at the waterfront.

Thanks in advance

UAW

You can do worse than see Mviponds much anticipated TR's in the near future (i.e. tomorrow! )having just returned from there..

Otherwise, suggest a day trip to Cape of Good Hope, taking in Boulders beach and Chapman Peak Drive. (one easy way would be book a daytrip with a local guide, this would help maximise your day, as often have perks such as entrance deals etc)

The island is also a worthy trip one afternoon to see some social history, but also allows for some fantastic views of the city and the mountain from the sea.
If time allows a lunch in the vineyards- poss Constantia (Uistig being a personal favorite) these are also nearest the city.

As always- Head up the mountain at first opportunity if its clear, always go morning, as cloud & winds tend to pick up in the afternoon.
NH

robben island was pretty awesome.
table mountain definitely
waterfront in the evening -great food
whale watching
wine tour
safari trip
its going to be a tough couple of days !!

And to add
Kirstenbosch Botanic Garden
Camps Bay
District 6.
Simonstown
If you want to do Robben Island I suggest you pre-book your tickets.I did the tour last year and was disappointed - very little time is spent in the actual prison (there is no free time to explore it on your own) and they cart you around the island beforehand on a bus that you can't get off, to see things that are really of little interest.Where are you staying at the Waterfront?
DL

I share DL's view on Robben island and also give another vote for Uistig.

If you visit the penguins at Boulders Beach, stop off at Simonstown and then go onto Cape Point/Cape of Good Hope you can also take in one of the markets on the way (by the parking for Boulders or near the entrance to Cape Point National Park) for local handicrafts. Much cheaper than the shops on the Waterfront but be prepared to haggle. That's a round trip of around 100km from Cape Town.

Don't try and plan in advance beacuse with only 2 days if there are clear skies when you get up in the morning you should head straight for Table Mountain and forget anyhting else you may have been thinking about! If you don't then you'll regret it the next day when it's foggy

Thanks all for the great info! We're staying at the harbour bridge hotel - amazing deal through expedia! 2 nights CT, 1 swellendam, 1 night game lodge, 4 nights knynsa, 2 nights grootbos hermanus, 2 nights franschoek.
Thinking of booking the tour for the 2nd day to cape point, that is if we can get up the mountain the day we land. Considering it's a 7am arrival - should be more than enough time to explore. Has anyone ever done the sunset cruise or helicopter tour?

UAW

I actually enjoyed the Robben Island tour learning there was much more to it than just the prison - Irishtown, for example (says she reaching for her shamrock and pint of Guinness)

If the morning is windy don't even think of heading towards the mountain. They will close it. Similarly if the "Tablecloth" is on it. When we went there we had been on for about 20 minutes when the siren sounded and we had to come off.

All the other suggestions are good

upandaway wrote:Thanks all for the great info! We're staying at the harbour bridge hotel - amazing deal through expedia! 2 nights CT, 1 swellendam, 1 night game lodge, 4 nights knynsa, 2 nights grootbos hermanus, 2 nights franschoek.
Thinking of booking the tour for the 2nd day to cape point, that is if we can get up the mountain the day we land. Considering it's a 7am arrival - should be more than enough time to explore. Has anyone ever done the sunset cruise or helicopter tour?

UAW

Can recommend decent guide for the Cape Point tour, used him and friends also atleast 2-3 times; man and minivan- the advantage to this, will be things like the Cape Point cafe for lunch- there's usually massive queues- he gets allocated window table and walks straight in. Also option to drop at one end of the botanical gardens, let you walk thru and pick up other side (great if short on time)- also good for info on the move and will arrange day around your wants. Guys name is Gary Evans- will try and dig contact out- failing that he's well know via the tourist info offices.
Franschoek- can recommend Rubens for lunch, although there are numerous places & budgets- this suggestion being a handy location on the high street and linked in with one of the best vineyards in the valley.

NH

upandaway wrote:Has anyone ever done the sunset cruise or helicopter tour?

We did a 'Champagne Pre-Sunset Cruise' (didn't want to wait until sundown with 5 year old Tizer in tow) with the Waterfront Boat Co. Very, very good indeed; of course, they also do a bona fide sunset jaunt for you crazy night owls...

The problem with booking tours so early is the weather in April - the 3 times I have been to Cape Town (2 x April 1 X May) it was very wet, rainy, foggy and cool (only for a coupple or so days as en route to other places). So I would see what it is like when you are actually there then book them - being off season there shouldnt be any issue with places.