Breathtaking Views
The Breede River Valley is a region of rivers, fruit orchards and vineyards. The West Coast is dotted with charming whitewashed fishing villages.
The Cape Peninsula comprises the spectacular Table Mountain System, which continues inland with the Hottentots' Holland and Boland ranges sheltering a magnificent market gardening and viticulture agri-industry. Washed by two oceans, residents and visitors alike have a vast choice of beaches and pretty coastal villages offering excellent seafood restaurants and marvellous scenery.
Further up the coast, the small city of George is the capital of the Garden Route and a veritable magnet for golfers. Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are the most popular destinations on this scenic coast. Further inland, the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn is famous for its ostriches and the enchanting Cango Caves are waiting to be explored.
The Cape is the perfect venue for a wide range of outdoor activities including canyoning, rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking and water sports that would be difficult to beat anywhere in the world.
Bain's Roadwork
In a survey of mountain passes, Swartberg Pass, which runs between Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo and Prince Albert in the Great Karoo, would surely be voted the best.
Of course, there would be other contenders (Bain's Kloof and Baviaanskloof among them), but the favourites would be sure to have one thing in common: the stamp of that greatest of all road-building teams perhaps anywhere in the world, Andrew Geddes Bain and his son Thomas.
Between them, from about 1830 to 1880, they were in charge of the building of 32 major mountain passes and main railway lines and bridges. Most still remain as is, although some have been 'improved' (tarred and straightened, and often the gradient has been lessened). There have never been any improvements to the aesthetics, however.
Self drive routes from Cape Town invite visitors to the Mother City to experience the natural splendour, fun activities and scenic attractio...
If you’re in search of the perfect blend of adventure, leisure and culture, the Western Cape is your Holy Grail of African travel. From th...