The Western Cape streaches from the Cedarberg Mountains to the wild Agulhas coast to the expansive Cape Winelands and the glorious Garden Route. The Western Cape is a province of extraordinary diversity in South Africa.
Between
Lambert's Bay
and Plettenberg
Bay, sweeping stretches of sand are punctuated by rocky promontories, fishing
villages and holiday resorts. Apart from the scenic beauty and the endless rhythm
of the waves, the coast provides ideal conditions for anglers. Solitude is easy
to find and fish are abundant in great variety.
In the Boland and further afield, golden wheat fields and fragrant orchards abound, and gracious, gabled Cape Dutch Mansions set among manicured vineyards, enhance a peerless setting.
Towering indigo mountains provide a fitting backdrop for the
loveliness of the landscape. The lakes and forests of the Garden Route are also
bordered by impressive mountain ranges, and the interior is reached via a number
of magnificent passes. North of the mountains, the Klein
Karoo is characterised by wide open spaces, undulating hills and enormous
ostrich farms.
Every season has its own enchantment: the flowers of spring, the ripening
orchards of summer, the red and golden shades of autumn and the
snow-capped mountain peaks of winter.
Cape
Town is an area considered one of the most beautiful in Africa, and whose
character results from the cultural melting pot of Indonesian, French, Dutch,
British & German settlers, the local Khoisan (Bushman & Hottentot) tribes and
the Bantu tribes from the north.
The paternal presence of Table Mountain, the pristine coastline with its white sandy beaches, the magnificent countryside with its bountiful rivers, vleis and dams, and the unique flora kingdom, together with the warm summer climate and friendly community, makes the Western Cape perfect for any vacation. Cape Town was recently named as Africa’s leading destination at the fifth World Travel Awards in Antigua. Tourism to Cape Town is growing at a rate of 20% per annum and is playing host to 52% of South Africa’s tourists. According to a survey by Travel and Leisure, Cape Town is rated number 10 on the list of the world's top destinations.
From
Lambert's Bay
on the West Coast
to Witsand, the coastline has something for everyone: sweeping sands for sunbathing,
beaches where children splash in the shallows, great waves for surfers to ride,
and some of the finest line fishing in the world. When the rock lobster season
opens in November, thousands of people flock to small places such as Doring
Bay, Strandfontein
and Lambert's Bay
to indulge their passion for this delicacy.
The mountain peaks of the interior hold challenges for climbers, hikers and hang-gliders, and the Olifants River is a favourite among canoeists and anglers. Extensive fruit farming is a feature of the area, and in spring the air is laden with the fragrance of orchards in bloom.
The
Cape Winelands
are among South Africa's greatest draw cards, immensely popular throughout the
year. They provide perfect opportunities for wine lovers to sample fine vintages,
to explore gracious Cape Dutch manor houses, and to enjoy excellent cuisine
in beautiful surroundings. Major estates within easy reach of Cape Town are
situated in the Stellenbosch,
Paarl, Franschhoek, Wellington
and Somerset West districts. A number
of pleasant drives further afield lead to the wine producing regions of the
Breede River Valley, the Swartland
and the Olifants River Valley.
Every wine route has its own distinctive logo which appears on road signs pointing to the various estates and co-ops. Brochures providing maps and detailed information on all the wine routes are obtainable from Cape Town Tourism, Cape Town, and publicity associations in the Winelands.