A Visit To Cape Town, South Africa

There aren’t many places in the world where you can see penguins in their natural habitat, gallivant through pristine wineries, visit impoverished (yet vibrant) communities, eat world-class cuisine AND explore an island that once housed political prisoners. South Africa is one such destination. And it’s capital, Cape Town, is one of my favourite cities in the world! Here’s why…

1. It’s Breathtaking

From the majestic mountains to the beautiful ocean that hugs the city, Cape Town is truly a feast for the eyes.

I was really fortunate to stay with a friend when I visited the mother city. Check out the view from her rooftop pool (a morning swim became my ritual – who could resist?!):

Eager to show me what locals do after work, my friend took me to Clifton Beach with her colleagues to have a picnic and watch the sun set. It was stunning!

She also took me to an outdoor summer concert at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. With our colourful kikoys in hand, we ventured to the grounds to take in some music, food and drinks. It was an incredible feeling to be surrounded by the towering mountains…

2. It’s A Culinary Epicenter

Surrounded by abundant farmland and some of the most gorgeous wineries I’ve ever seen, Cape Town is every foodie and winos dream. And although we dined at some incredible restaurants, one food experience stood above the rest: the South African braai (aka BBQ). We spent countless nights feasting with friends around fires. The people I met were incredible: warm, interesting and charismatic. I can’t wait to go back and visit them again!

But my favourite memory was a weekend trip to Stellenbosch. Out of all the wine regions I’ve visited in the world, none have been as breathtaking. Nestled in a majestic mountain valley (Eerste River Valley), I truly felt like I was wandering through a painting as we sipped our way from winery to winery…

If wine isn’t your thing, Cape Town is also home to some delectable bakeries. A visit to Charly’s Bakery is a must:

3. The Nightlife Is Unbelievable

Cape Town really comes alive at night. And with so many bars, live music venues, pubs and clubs to choose from, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. I love checking out local bands/musicians when I’m abroad so when my friend told me Goldfish was performing live in Cape Town, I jumped at the opportunity to see them!

We also loved dancing the nights away in Camps Bay. DJ Dino Moran at Karma was our fave…

4. It’s Every Outdoor Adventurer’s Dream

With forests, wild oceans, sand dunes and mountainous terrains, Cape Town is a playground for anyone who likes a bit of adventure. From surfing and hiking to skydiving and kloofing, there are plenty of ways to enjoy what the city has to offer. A day trip to Cape Point, the most south-westerly tip of the African continent, is a must in my opinion. I hiked up a scenic trail at Cape of Good Hope and took in the spectacular views from up top…

And I saw plenty of wild animals in the region (more on that epic adventure in another post)…

A journey to Boulders Beach is also a must! The colony of African Penguins roam freely on the boulders so I just sat down and watched them walk around me for a couple of hours! I somehow managed to be the only one there. It was an incredible feeling to be alone with these little guys…

5. It Has A Compelling History

While there’s lots of fun to be had in Cape Town, I also experienced some intensely emotional moments on my trip. One of which took place when I toured the District Six Museum. District Six was originally established as a mixed community, but was declared a white area in 1966. By 1982, over 60 000 people were forcibly removed to outlying areas known as the Cape Flats. I definitely recommend taking the time to visit this small museum. It’s filled with photographs and other reminders of the old, resilient neighbourhood.

I also had an opportunity to visit Langa township with a local who was born and raised there. Having been to many impoverished cities around the world I thought I was prepared for the experience, but I wasn’t. Although there are some “settler homes” for the upper class, most of the streets are lined with densely packed shacks made from scrap metal (sometimes with more than three families living in one room). The community is incredibly warm and friendly, but they live with little-to-nothing. I didn’t feel comfortable taking many pictures as we visited his old school, friends and childhood home, but here are a few I snapped…

With a heavy heart, I also took the time to visit Robben Island (notorious for housing political prisoners in the past). Peering through Nelson Mandela’s old jail cell was an experience that I can’t express in words…

It’s one thing to read about Cape Town‘s history, culture and beauty and another to experience it firsthand. You truly feel the pulse of the mother city as soon as you step foot on its soil. It’s a place that I’d love to visit every 4-5 years: a perfect remedy for my insatiable curiosity.

Here are some other adventures you should make room for on your itinerary:

• Admire South African, African, British, French, Dutch and Flemish art at the South African National Gallery. I had the place all to myself:

• Explore Long Street‘s shops, bars and restaurants.
• Spend an afternoon at the Old Biscuit Mill:

• Have a drink or two at the world famous Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar.
• Wander in and around the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront:

• Eat, drink and be merry on Bree Street.
• Dine at some of the world’s finest restaurants: The Roundhouse Restaurant, Aubergine, Beluga and La Colombe to name a few.

If you have any recos or comments, please do share them!