Ah Cape Town, the jewel of the Western Cape. Originally colonized by the Dutch and the English, Cape Town has flourished to become a vibrant city full of color and culture. So read on, and see why Cape Town should be the next stamp on your passport.
Reason Number #1 Bo-Kaap
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Bo-Kaap is the colorful Malay Quarter of Cape Town, with bright colored houses and cobbled streets. Though it originally was a township for a “Malay” (hence the name) of slaves from across Asia, after the emancipation in 1834 the houses were painted in bright colors to express the freedom of the homeowners. Along the cobbled streets, you can find many trinkets and mom-and-pop shops to splurge on, while still giving back to people who work hard for their craft.
Photo credit: Tristyn Page
Reason Number #2 Beautiful Hiking
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Cape Town, at least in my opinion, has some of the most amazing hiking just outside of your door. The photo above was taken on a 30 minute hike to Wally’s Cave on Lions Head. Beautiful, right? Hiking is also really accessible in Cape Town; just Uber on up to the start of the trail, and go. Want to know where the best places to hike are? Table Mountain has over 1000 trails (including climbing routes) from beginner to hardcore extremists. Just take my advice, avoid Platteklip Gorge. It’s hell, just don’t do it (especially with a 30 pound camera pack, I’m an idiot). Want a leisure climb to watch the sunset? Wally’s Cave is just for you. The beginning starts on a running trail, then climbs to the bottom of Lions Head to a large cave where the sunset is out of this world. No matter what trail you pick (just not Platteklip) your hike will be like nothing you’ve ever done before.
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Reason Number #3 Table Mountain Cable Car
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Remember when I said hiking Table Mountain was great? Well the Cable Car is there to take your jelly legs down. I promise this cable car is like a god-sent. At only 290 Rand (around $20) for both up and down (190 rand one way), it is well worth your time to see the amazing view from the top. Table Mountain is one of the new 7 Natural Wonders of the World, and rightfully so. With the Cape Floral Region being one of the most diverse on this Earth, many of the species are only found in this area. So take a jaunt up the Cable Car, admire the views, and don’t forget to smell the Fynbos.
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Reason Number #4 The Ocean
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
The beautiful blue ocean is visible from many points in Cape Town, (an added bonus: you’ll also be able to see boats, surfers, and well…. Great White Sharks.) With that, Cape Town is one of the best places in the world to shark cage dive! Just two hours away, False Bay is teeming with Great White Sharks to view at extremely close quarters, perfect for all you adrenaline junkies! If you’re not into face to face viewing of apex predators, there are also many less dangerous things to do. Cape Town is also known for its surfing, as the Red Bull Big Wave Africa competition is located all around Cape Town. Take a jaunt up the cost to Muizenberg, a cute little coastal town with the famous, and colorful, Victorian Beach Huts. Muizenberg Beach is known for perfect beginner waves for you to learn on (I know I did)! Just an FYI too, keep a lookout for the color of the shark flag, black means that there are spotters on the hill watching for sharks. If you hear the alarm well… just get out of the water. But seriously guys, it’s so worth it! Still if actually getting in the ocean isn’t for you, Simon’s Town might just be. Boulder Beach is one of the only places that you can get up close and personal with African Penguins! These adorable little buggers are all over the beach, allowing you some close views to the wildlife. So get out there and jump in the ocean… just making sure that there are no sharks around beforehand.
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Reason Number #5 The Amazing Country
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
While this reason doesn’t necessarily pertain to just Cape Town, it’s a reason to visit that is, nonetheless, important. Get out of the city bowl, and enjoy all that South Africa has to offer! From the Kalahari Desert, to the green forests of Mpumalanga, you will never see such diversity and beauty. You will also have the chance to come up close and personal to some of the Big 5, Rhinos, Elephants, Leopards, Water Buffalo, and Lions. Kruger National Park covers the eastern border of South Africa, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, and is one of the largest game reserves in Africa. I promise you won’t regret going to Kruger. The panoramic route just outside of Kruger also offers some of the best scenery that South Africa has to offer. From God’s Window, Bourke Luck Potholes (the only potholes that I like), and the Three Rondavels (pictured above) this is the perfect route for all your instagram worthy selfies. Don’t forget to visit the Garden Route as well, situated along the southern coast only 6 hours from Cape Town. There are not only beautiful stretches of highway lined with trees, but the costal town of Knysna holds a Oyster festival every June. No matter though where you are in South Africa or Cape Town, you will be surrounded by beauty.
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Photo Credit: Tristyn Page
Are You Ready?
Have you gotten your passport out yet? If not well I at least hope that you were able to see through my eyes and words the amazing City Cape Town is. While I only gave you 5 reasons to move there, there is an infinite number of perks. So, I implore you to step out of your comfort zone, and explore all the wonders that Cape Town has to offer, as I have only scratched the surface.