Cape Town is one of the most popular destinations for any England Cricket Tour to South Africa. Pulsating Cape town is quite simply one of the most recognisable and romantic cities in the world. At its heart lies the extraordinary Table Mountain. This colossal natural wonder rears up amid the gorgeous gardens, charming townhouses and dense forests, forming part of the jagged Cape Peninsula, which points towards the sparkling Atlantic Ocean. Often wrapped in cotton wool clouds, it’s the emblem for a city which in 200 years has developed a handy refuelling stop-off to one of the most popular tourist destinations on the planet.
Things to do....
A Taste of Cape Town
Cape Town attractions include everything from mountain trails to expeditions on Apartheid. This satisfying wide range of life is spiced up by food and drink taken by an influx of settlers. So, if you’re keen to get a real taste of Cape Town, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried the Xhosa porridge Samp, Capa Malay curry or Ethiopian Injera flatbreads. When you’re ready to head out for the night, try the local favourite ‘Karate Water’. This combo of brandy and Coke is the perfect spark to your night.
Visit Robben Island
Robben Island is both infamous and inspirational. This maximum security prison is over three miles from the Cape Town coast, which held Nelson Mandela in captivity for eighteen years. The tour of Robben Island cells is traditionally led by former political prisoners who are guides and show visitors through the cells where they were once held. Although the museum details the inequality and oppression, it also focuses on the ‘hopes and dreams’ embodied by Mandela on his release in 1990.
Table Mountain by Cable Car
Every great city should dine out on having a commanding view, but the one from Table Mountain is unforgettable. This magnificently mountainous natural wonder can be reached on foot by a range of energy-sapping, but invigorating, trails. However, the classic way to reach the Table Mountain ascent is by cable car. The short journey provides tremendous birds-eye views of the city below, before delivering you at the summit and a panoramic vista of the Atlantic Ocean and glimpses into the Cape’s hinterland.
Soak up Cape Town’s Night Life
Every great city should dine out on having a commanding view, but the one from Table Mountain is unforgettable. This magnificently mountainous natural wonder can be reached on foot by a range of energy-sapping, but invigorating, trails. However, the classic way to reach the Table Mountain ascent is by cable car. The short journey provides tremendous birds-eye views of the city below, before delivering you at the summit and a panoramic vista of the Atlantic Ocean and glimpses into the Cape’s hinterland.
Bask on the Beaches of Cape Town
Wouldn’t it be rude not to dive into every aspect of Cape Town life during your stay? Your locale offers some wonderful opportunities to immerse yourself in the warmer waters of False Bay or enjoy the quieter stretches of the sand of the Atlantic Seaboard. For the adventurous, the West Coast offers immense, light-filled beaches away from the usual tourist trails. The chuckle-inducing Tietiesbaai sounds cheeky, but its carpet of wild flowers is stunning, appealing more to naturalists searching for authentic wild beauty.
Play with the Penguins and Sharks
Cape Town and the Western Cape Coastline are home to a wide range of aquatic wildlife. Close to the city you’ll find the famous African penguin Colony at Boulder’s Beach. Formerly known as ‘Jackass penguins’ due to their donkey-like braying, these charismatic birds offer a noisy and passionately boisterous welcome. But if you’re looking for an encounter with more bite, make the trip to Gansbaai, which has the largest premier hub for shark conservation and tourism. For the ultimate thrill, you can have the chance to plunge into some exhilarating shark cage expeditions to see these peak predators in their natural habitat.
Climate and Average Weather
Cape Town
Cape Town has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and wet winters. The average maximum temperatures peak during the summer months between January and March, frequently reaching around 26°, whilst the coolest period occurs in mid-winter (June to August), with daytime highs dropping to around 17°. Minimum temperatures stay moderate in summer at around 15° and drop to around 7° during the winter nights. Cape Town’s rainy season is intense in mid-winter, particularly in June and July.
Notes on visiting....
Time Zone
Cape Town Local Time +2 Hours GMT
Passport
Valid for min period of 30 days from the date of exit
