Cape Town Life

Seen Table Mountain, been the Waterfront, swam at Camps Bay and wondering what else to do on your Cape Town holidays? Don’t worry – there are still plenty of things to see and do before you can say that you have truly experienced everything that the Mother City has to offer. Many of these activities are treasured ‘secrets’ that only a local would know, while others simply give you a fresh take on things to do. Whether you want to see another side of life to the city, or you are all out of ways to stay busy, these tips are sure to help make this the most memorable holiday ever!

Fun Ideas for Cape Town Holidays

To get you started on finding unique, different or just plain cool things to do on your Cape Town holidays, here are some ideas.

1. Fruit picking – summer and winter in the Cape each offer the chance to get out into the fresh air and pick anything from strawberries to cherries and even figs. There are many fruit farms around the city, especially in the Stellenbosch and Ceres areas. Strawberry season runs from November to April, while cherry picking runs through the colder months of May to September. Farms to try include Klondyke Cherry Farm, Hoogwater Fresh Fig Picking, Mooiberg Farm Stall, Polkadraai Farmstall and Mountain Breeze.
2. Horse riding on Noordhoek Beach – ideal for a romantic date, family outing or just a fun day out, horse riding on the beach is a great way to enjoy the beauty of Long Beach. The ride is about two hours long, and inexperienced horse riders can have a guide at hand to assist. A bush trail is also an option for those wanting more of a challenge. Bookings can be made by calling Imhoff Farm on 082 774 1191.
3. Watch Dragon Boat Racing at the Waterfront – if you are staying at Cape Town villas near the Waterfront, don’t miss the chance to watch these colourful boats as they race across the water. Powered by teams of rowers, Dragon Boating is a popular but underrated sport. If you wish to do more than watch, you can also join in a training session on Mondays to Thursdays. Call the Dragon Boat company on 021 447 2820 to join a session.
4. Indoor rock climbing – if you want to learn how to rock climb in a safe setting, CityRock in Observatory is the place to be. This indoor climbing gym has climbs of all levels, so even without any previous experience you can get climbing. There is even a bouldering cage to try if you want to take things further. Contact CityRock on 021 447 1326 for details.
5. Play paintball in Constantia – close to Cape Town villas in the leafy suburb of Constantia, a paintball action adventure awaits. The nearby Tokai Forest is ideal for paintball, with plenty of trees to hide behind if you are being pursued. This fun activity can be enjoyed by all adventure-seekers over the age of 11 years. You can play paintball between Saturday and Sunday 09h30 to 13h00 or from 13h30 to 17h00. Five separate games are played, with breathing space in between to plan your next strategy. Contact Action Paintball Games for details on 021 790 7603.

The best thing about holidays in the Cape is that they can be as busy or relaxed as you wish – try one of the following fun activities to suit your need for adventure, and make the most of the final days of your Cape Town holidays.

For many visitors, Cape Town holidays are not only about fun and adventure, but also about reviving the soul and revitalising energy levels. After all, you have worked hard and deserve a holiday that allows you to unwind and enjoy the fruits of your labour. If the thought of lying on a golden beach all day doesn’t seem quite enough, these ideas for a truly relaxing break are sure to be just what you need on your holiday.

1. Hire a villa, complete with private chef and housekeeping service – Cape Town villas are the very essence of luxury accommodation, boasting a private, secluded place to unwind. Many villas offer additional services such as private chefs and housekeeping, which offers all the pampering of hotel accommodation, without having to deal with other guests. This leaves you free to focus on enjoying your holiday, while experienced staff take care of your every need.
2. Relax the mind and body with yoga classes – the Mother City is home to many excellent yoga schools, which can be found throughout each suburb. A number of different yoga styles are offered, from classic ashtanga all the way through to kundalini, vinyasa flow, bikrem and other power yoga styles. Most establishments offer drop-in rates, which allow you to try a class to see whether the style is right for your needs, or pop in whenever the urge hits. For those on a longer holiday, monthly or block session packages can also be found.
3. Indulge with a luxurious spa treatment or two – the city also boasts a large number of spas and health centres, with spas to be found within easy reach of most centrally based Cape Town villas. Whether you are in need of a hot stone massage, two hour aromatherapy massage, facial, body wrap or even a mud bath, these pampering treatments are designed to sooth away stress in no time at all.
4. Do a full moon hike up Lions Head – every full moon, locals and visitors alike venture up Lions Head with picnic baskets and bubbly to watch the moon rising over the city. The hike is easy to moderate, making it ideal for new hikers. With spectacular views over the city, there are few greater ways to appreciate the beauty of the mountain than a full moon hike. Lions Head can be easily accessed by private taxi or rental car from Cape Town villas in the Waterfront, CBD or City Bowl areas.
5. Take a boat trip around the Atlantic Seaboard or Cape coastline – the Waterfront offers the chance to enjoy a wide range of boat trips. From champagne cruises at sunset, to trips out to Seal Island to view the large colony of Cape fur seals found here, you can choose from a number of different boat cruises to suit every level of adventure. The fresh sea air, beautiful ocean views, sound of seagulls and crashing waves and gentle lull of the boat are sure to put you into the ideal holiday mood.

With plenty to see and do, Cape Town holidays were designed for relaxation – enjoy the best of the laid-back city of sea, sun and scenery and enjoy all the benefits of a rewarding break.

One of the many advantages of Cape Town holidays is the wide variety of outdoor adventures that can be enjoyed in the city and its surrounds. The Cape Province is home to a diverse range of landscapes, from the coastal areas through to lush forests, mountains, winelands, countryside and even game reserves. Each part of the peninsula offers a number of things to see and do, with many tours and adventures available within easy reach of Cape Town villas. Guests can be collected and returned to their accommodation venue or hire a car for to explore, and spend a day enjoying the abundance of outdoor pursuits that the Cape has to offer.

Some fun things to do in the great outdoors of the Cape include the following:

1. Swim with penguins at Boulders Beach – this beach is a designated nature reserve, and is situated near Simons Town on the way to Cape Point. Large rocks are found throughout the beach, which is how it got its name, but the real attraction here is the African jackass penguins that have made this beach their home. These amusing birds can be found all over the beach, and are happy to share the water with humans provided that they are not approached or disturbed. After a dip in the ocean, you can enjoy a picnic as you watch penguins building nests, waddling over the beach or roosting from the comfort of their nests lodged between the rocks.
2. Explore Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens – situated near Cape Town villas in Constantia, Kirstenbosch is a large, beautiful botanical garden that is renowned for its large abundance of indigenous plants. The garden has a number of biodiversity areas, with paths that allow you to explore easily. Rose gardens, aloe gardens, large green lawns, ponds, shady picnic areas and two restaurants are just some of the highlights for travellers of all ages to enjoy.
3. Visit Cape Point Nature Reserve – Cape Point lies at the very tip of the peninsula, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Indian Ocean on the other side. A beautiful drive from your Cape Town villa allows you to take in some of the best views within the city, as you travel past oceans and winding mountain passes. The nature reserve is an important region for fynbos, and this area has even been designated as the Cape Fynbos Floral Kingdom. Game such as various antelope can also be found along with rich birdlife and sweeping views of the peninsula.
4. Try a Cape Town safari tour – game reserves such as Aquila Game Reserve are a short distance from Cape Town, with many tours on offer that collect and return you to your villa. Aquila has a number of wildlife species, including rhino, lion and elephant. The reserve offers activities such as game drives, bird watching and bush walks, with self-drive and organised tours available.
5. View Great White sharks – while Gansbaai offers a number of shark cage diving opportunities, Seal Island near Hout Bay is famous for its breaching Great white sharks. Cage diving is offered here, along with boat trips to view these majestic creatures as they breach out of the water. This unique hunting behaviour has been adapted over the years, allowing the shark a better advantage over the agile, almost acrobatic Cape fur seals that comprise the shark’s primary source of prey. Tours can be arranged from Hout Bay, a short drive from Cape Town villas in this area.