Cape Town January 09

Ive booked my flights for Cape Town at the end of Jan - and l have a few vague ideas of things to do - but lm always open to suggestions!! Maybe something different! What should l not miss - food, bars etc. And any recommendations for hotels would be great too! I would also like to spend a day doing a wine tour so any good ones?

Also l dont have a HUGE amount of time there but is it at all possible to do a safari from Cape Town even for 2 days 1 night - and anyone ideas of costs - anything l have looked at online seem to have huge single supplements added.

Cheers

Heather

Great choice Heather,

For what it's worth, maybe you can check Sanparks to see what options there are around Cape Town. Not all national parks are on here, but it might be an option.
Renting a car is possible as well (are you going alone?) and cheap volkswagens start at less than 20 euro at some local places. Maybe an idea regarding costs to do it yourself.

Just some thoughts
Michael

I can reccommend Aroundabout cars, really cheap and good. Also, grab yourself a copy of 'Coast to Coast' (free), available from all backpackers and suchlike, it lists all the places to stay and stuff to do, its brill.
There is a lion park just to the north where you can spend the night. Didnt get there myself but sounded good. But for the life of me cannot remember its name! But you will find when you get there, leaflets abound and you are sure to find something, especially if you have a car. In meantime I shall try and find mine if you like.
Getting around is real easy by car or the baz bus. I was there alone but stayed in dorms so no problem with single supplements.
One great place to go, and you can take a train there, is Simonstown, its lovely, and you have Boulders Beach just down the road where all the penguins are...check out my photos! (p4)
Claire

[ Edit: Edited on Sep 5, 2008, at 2:18 PM by baluba ]

Hi there! You're going to have the best time in CT. Usually when we take friends over we have an itinerary like this in any order:

Day 1: peninsula tour (hout bay/chapman's peak drive/muzienburg/simons town/boulders beach/cape of good hope)
Day 2: Wineland tour, If you have a night to spend out in the wine lands then...two days wine tour. Renting a car and driving around is very easy. usually do stellenbosch then into franschoek but wellington has some nice vineyards too.
Day 3: Table Mt. am, Robben Island pm (or climb table mt. and take the cable car down)
Day 4: City Bowl tour...shopping/waterfront/company gardens/castle of good hope, sundowners at Le med

We will usually eat out on Long Street one night, and if you want to do the tourist thing, have dinner at Mamma Africa. Yes, very touristy, but totally worth it for the live music. even worth it just to hit the bar for a drink and some tunes. Loads of choices at the waterfront for dining...quay four has a nice outdoor seating area for fish n chips and fun to watch the boats. Dine out in Camps Bay one night, Blues is very good...almost everything in camps bay is good though!

we've also used roundabout car hire and i have another one if you're interested (very mom & pop but the prices are very reasonable). this past trip (march) we stayed at the Cape Nelson Guest House in Sea Point run by Ronald (tell him holly & graham sent you)...highly recommend it. there are tons of backpackers on long street...plus its an easy way place to get around.

You could do a day trip down to Cape Agulhus, the most southern tip of Africa. or go shark diving in gans baai.
Go up the west coast to the West Coast National Park. No big game but very nice...with loads of sea birds and terrapins.
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are extraordinary if you like plants!
You can rent a bike and ride all over the city bowl.

Good luck with your planning! You're going to have a great time. Holly
Will see what i know about other accomodation options. are you travelling alone?