Hi - I've just joined this group and, as I live in Cape Town, I've really no problem to "love where you live" ;-) I hope to share some of this beautiful city with you and also to introduce some of my other SA favorites such as Port St Johns. Have a look at the scenery ... what's not to love about it?
Durban, also known as eThekwini in Zulu, is the gateway to the Drakensberg and Zululand and one of the most dynamic South African cities. This multicultural metropolis combines culture, entertainment and nature with a sub-tropical climate and rich heritage which ensures that its reputation as a prime holiday destination and the top beach resort in South Africa remains unrivalled.
There are a number of popular beaches and the Golden Mile, which extends from Rutherford Street to Playfair Road at North Beach, boasts theme parks, nightspots, entertainment centres and pavilions. Attractions include Waterworld with its landscaped gardens, swimming pools and chutes, Funworld which has a variety of rides for both adults and children and Mini Town which displays replicas of local landmark buildings and is adjacent to the Fitzsimmons Snake Park. To the south is the very popular uShaka Marine World which features dolphins, sharks and stingrays, seals, penguins and a varied selection of marine life including colourful corals and anemones. The Natal Sharks Board is the only shark research centre worldwide and is well worth a visit. Educational material including a shark dissection is presented and replicas of various species are on display.
Durban Ice offers various extravaganzas during the holiday season and there is a paint ball arena on Tara Road as well as bowling alleys at the Pavilion and Gateway. The latter also offers an amusement arcade, go-carts, mini-golf and a science centre. Hiking trails are available at many of the nearby parks and nature reserves and helicopter flips over the city, various boat cruises and a trip with the Umgeni Steam Railway ensure that visitors don't get bored. Numerous tours are also available, including an eleven-day itinerary which offers game reserve accommodations and visits to the battlefields at Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift as well as the annual Zulu Kings Reed Dance at Nongoma in the heart of Zululand.
The Jumma Musjid, which is sometimes called the Grey Street Mosque and dates from the 1880’s, is the largest mosque in the southern hemisphere. Durban also has a number of Hindu temples and a visit to the Hare Krishna Temple at Chatsworth is recommended. The Mariannhill Monastery just outside Durban was built in 1882 by Trappist monks and boasts carved wooden interiors, frescoes and sculptures. It is also home to St. Joseph’s Cathedral.
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Regardless of whether you are a nature lover or history enthusiast, for sheer variety there is probably very little which beats a trip from Cape Town to Durban via the famous Garden Route. The scenery is amazing and there are ample opportunities to enjoy splendid beaches along the way (such as at Jeffrey's Bay, which is a renowned site for surfers) and also to take in natural indigenous forests. Indeed, one of the highlights of any such trip must be the Tsitsikamma and Storm's River region of the Eastern Cape. Adventurous travellers are sure to enjoy doing the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour or, for the brave, there is the Bloukrans Bridge Bungy Jump which is listed by Guinness World Records as "the highest commercially operated Bungy Jump in the world".
For the more laid-back traveller a visit to the Addo Elephant National Park is very highly recommended, as is a visit to the Cango Wildlife Ranch and, of course, the Cango Caves in the Oudtshoorn vicinity. The opportunity to visit an Ostrich Farm and ride one of these feathered beauties is also available.
Further north you will pass through what was formerly known as the Transkei and encounter rural habitats and relaxed coastal villages such as Coffee Bay and Port St. Johns. The latter is a small, typical Third World town which attracts many European tourists due to its spectacular natural surroundings and relaxed, friendly atmosphere. PSJ is also the (unofficial) South African capital of "ganja" (marijuana), which probably accounts for the myriads of backpackers who pass through the region. And, of course, home to the eccentric and much publicized Ben Decker (artist/actor and ex-politician wannabee) who lives in a cave with a stunning 180 degree sea view.
Located at the mouth of the Umzimvubu River, the town combines virgin forests with stunning ocean views and is pure paradise for any nature lover who wishes to explore its many hiking trails, discover secluded waterfalls and awesome views from the top of Mount Thesiger. I've been privileged to spend a few years as a "local" (before returning to my Cape Town roots) and can highly recommend a stay at the Umzimvubu Retreat Guest House.
For those who prefer to add some bright lights to their itinerary, major cities en route such as East London, Port Elizabeth and, of course, both Durban and Cape Town offer everything you may desire. In brief, no matter whether you are seeking natural splendor, historical highlights, an adrenalin rush or sophisticated city life, the Garden Route combines it all in a breathtakingly beautiful package.
The sightseeing bus tour offers two itineraries viz. the so-called Red Route and the Blue Route. Discounted tickets for persons taking both tours are available and, being reasonably priced at approximately 18 Euro for both itineraries, I consider this the most hassle free method of gaining a brief overview of the most popular tourist spots. Buses run at intervals of approximately 30 minutes and each route offers a selection of 13 stops. Being able to hop-on and hop-off, one can decide whether you wish to not explore a specific sight more closely or to remain behind and spend more time there until the next bus arrives. Please note that the tour price does not include entrance to the various attractions, although a booklet of coupons with discounts is provided. A word of caution: the Cape sun can be a scorcher and, if you' intend sitting on the open upper deck (which, I must admit, offers the very best views), come prepared with plenty of sunscreen. I didn't and, even being used to the climate as a local, ended up looking and feeling like a parboiled Xmas turkey!
The Red Route focuses on such sights as local museums, the Castle of Good Hope and naturally the Table Mountain Cableway. During my trip the queue at the Cableway would have meant a wait of at least two hours and I therefore opted not to disembark and visit the top cable station. Included in both routes is a trip through Camps Bay and Sea Point, with the final disembarkation point being at the Two Oceans Aquarium in the V&A Waterfront, which is also the starting point of the tours. This allows one ample opportunities to indulge in exploring the Waterfront either before or after the tour e.g visit the Aquarium, browse the mall or, as in my case, set off on a sunset champagne cruise to Clifton as the ultimate ending to a great day of sightseeing. The Blue Route heads out of Cape Town proper and offers the chance to undertake a township tour in Kronendal near Hout Bay. This itinerary also includes a visit to the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens as well as the enchanting World of Birds, which is one of the stops I opted to explore more closely. As there are also a selection of kiosks and eateries at the World of Birds, it was possible to relax and have a beverage in its tranquil surroundings whilst waiting for the next bus to arrive. The next stop was the Mariners Wharf in Hout Bay which, being located directly at the beach, is ideal for those who want to take a quick splash in the sea. They also serve a variety of seafood and arguably the best fish & chips in the Cape, so I settled there for lunch with views of the beach and harbour. Time allowing, one can naturally also opt to rather disembark at Camps Bay beach and end the day by exploring its varied fine dining restaurants, quaint shops and the Theatre on the Bay.
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The citysightseeing bus is possibly one of the most convenient ways to explore the Mother City and includes stops at the Table Mountain cableway and various museums and attractions in the City in its Red Route.
The Blue Route includes a trip to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, as well as a township tour in Kronendal near Hout Bay, where you will also be able to visit the Mariner's Wharf and spend time on the beach. Included in the tour is a trip through Camps Bay and Sea Point, as well as a visit to the enchanting World of Birds. En route you will also pass the first lighthouse in South Africa, which is still fully functional.
Approximately 10 km from Cape Town, towards the Northern suburbs, you will encounter Century City, which encompasses a residential area, business park and the Canal Walk shopping centre, as well as the Island Club hotel and Ratanga Junction theme park. Unusual architecture reminiscent of the heyday of Cape Town, complete with a replica of the original fort, can be seen at the nearby GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. Cape Town sport options range from abseiling the highest commercial “long-drop” (112m) in the world, to shark diving (at approximately ZAR 1000 per person), rock angling, tennis, golf, horse-riding and a number of hiking trails such as the Contour Path between Rhodes Memorial and Kirstenbosch, Platteklip Gorge nearby the cableway and the relatively easy Pipetrack from Camps Bay.
A visit to the most southwesterly point of the African Continent at Cape Point affords marvellous views and an opportunity to enjoy the natural flora at this World Heritage Site. Visitors can also gain an understanding of local culture by participating in one of the available Township Tours.
Art enthusiasts would enjoy a trip to the Irma Stern Museum, whilst the literary minded could browse the vast collections at the National Library as well as the Centre for the Book, which is also a splendid example of Edwardian architecture. The most centrally located theatre and opera house in the Mother City is the Artscape, but dinner and theatre packages are also available at the Theatre on the Bay, situated approximately 10km from the CBD.
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