The natural wonders of Cape Town

If there is one city that is blessed with the ingredients for an amazing holiday, that city would be Cape Town. It has an iconic landmark, beautiful surroundings, and a fascinating mix of cultures.

Cape Town, South Africa, began attracting Dutch sailors in the 17th century. Its fertile land and location made the settlement an ideal refreshment outpost for ships from the Dutch East India Company on their way to Asia.

If you love dramatic landscapes and coastlines, here are three things you shouldn’t miss if you visit Cape Town.

Table Mountain
One must-do when you’re in Cape Town is going up Table Mountain, which I suggest you do a few days after your arrival. Looking down at Cape Town will have more meaning for you after you’ve gone around the city at ground level, as you’ll be able to enjoy the sights from a different perspective from above.

Table Mountain could easily have been the first thing the early European sailors saw upon their arrival centuries ago. Today, the gigantic, rectangular granite massif measuring 1,085 metres at its highest point is Cape Town’s most prominent landmark, visible from anywhere in the city. The mountain was the first thing I would look out for whenever I stood on the balcony at my homestay.

From the city centre the top of Table Mountain is reachable by a bus ride to the foot of the mountain, followed by a short but scenic cable car ride. My tip would be to buy your ticket soon after you arrive in Cape Town from Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and to go up on the first clear day you encounter during your stay. Tickets are valid 14 days from the date of purchase, so you should be flexible.

Clear weather is essential for Table Mountain- you won’t be able to see anything from the top if it’s cloudy and besides, it could be dangerous being so high up on a bad day. The weather is very unpredictable in Cape Town, so those who would rather not risk a storm or cloudy skies later in the day should go in the morning.

Those who want to catch the sunset from Table Mountain can stay on or take a ride in the late afternoon but whenever you choose to go, be prepared for the microclimate at the summit. The top of Table Mountain is several degrees lower than at sea level in the autumn and winter months, while in the summer you would do well to use sunscreen and a hat.


The Cape Peninsula
The beauty of Cape Town is that you won’t have to go far to enjoy its stunning scenery. An excursion along the Cape Peninsula is a lovely way to escape the city (although not many would want to do so) and to see what the countryside has to offer.

Renting a car and driving to the Cape Peninsula is best way to explore the area, but if you’re out of time or unsure about driving in a foreign country, there are lots of tour companies that can help. I would suggest contacting Faizal Gangat of Cape Capers Tours, my dependable guide who took me around this part of South Africa.  

The Cape Peninsula is part of Table Mountain National Park and is rich with indigenous plants and wildlife, including a large variety of birds. One of the highlights of the drive to the peninsula is the sight of gorgeous wildflowers along the way, especially in the summer months from November to January. Cape Town and the Peninsula are particularly beautiful this time of the year.

Set aside a whole day for the Cape Peninsula, and expect to arrive back in the city by 5 o’clock in the afternoon. There’ll be lunch and snack stops along the way, but do bring a bottle of water with you anyway.


Cape Point
For a long time Cape Point, which lies at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, was touted and described as the southernmost point of the African continent, but that honour in fact belongs to Cape Agulhas, which lies farther to the east.

This doesn’t make Cape Point any less beautiful though, as it’s still worth a visit as part of your Cape Peninsula tour. If you have the time, walk to the end of the Peninsula from the car park near the Cape Point information centre.  


Cape Town has a lot going for it but if you’re out of time, these three natural features are the absolute minimum that you should see when you visit. Details on the Table Mountain cable cars and Cape Capers Tours can be found in the links above.