Western Cape Information

The Western Cape forms the most southerly portion of South Africa and has an extensive coastline bordered by both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.  The terrain is varied, from spectacular mountain ranges in the Southern Cape to the semi-desert plains of the Karoo.  It is an extraordinarily diverse province with a well-laid-out network of roads.  Clothing and textiles, printing and publishing, viticulture, sheep and wheat farming and fishing underpin the economy, which has experienced good growth since 1994.  The area is a major attraction for tourists; more than 60% of the overseas visitors to South Africa include the Western Cape in their itinerary.  The region has a Mediterranean climate with dry summers and cool winters.  The summer months from November to April are considered the best time to visit the area, when the days are pleasantly warm and rain is infrequent.  The Dutch settlement of Kaapstad (Cape Town) was established under the leadership of Jan van Riebeeck in 1652.  Its purpose was to supply fresh produce and meat to the fleets passing by, and it became known as the Tavern of the Seas.

Cape Town, with Table Mountain as a backdrop, is regarded as one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  It is the ideal base for visitors to tour the surrounding areas. Its hinterland is the heart of the country's wine and fruit industry.  The Cape Peninsula has more indigenous plant species per square metre than anywhere else in the world.  For the visitor popular options include a trip to Cape Point, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Robben Island, the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Table Mountain and the beaches of the Cape Peninsula.  There are more than 100 beaches to choose from, each with its own character and charm.  The Victoria & Alfred Waterfront harbour development with its shops, hotels, theatres, museums and amusement activities is a world-renowned tourism attraction.  Robben Island, a World Heritage Site, can be reached via ferry from The Nelson Mandela Gateway Building in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront. 

The West Coast has many attractive fishing villages, and during August and September a dramatic display of spring flowers can be seen.  The Winelands, with its green valleys, mountain ranges and historic homesteads, is another popular destination.  The Breede River Valley is the largest fruit and wine producing valley in the Western Cape.  It has many towns of historical interest, as well as a well-established wine route.  The picturesque seaside resorts in the Overberg coastal regional include Hermanus, known for its whale-viewing, and Arniston, with its white-washed fisherman's cottages. 

Further afield the scenic Garden Route is a world of mountains, indigenous forests, lakes and endless beaches.  Attractions of the semi-desert Klein Karoo include the Cango Caves, a spectacular and accessible cave system, and numerous ostrich farms.  Tourists have a wide range of interesting organised tours to choose from, from day-trips into the Winelands to cultural trips into the townships surrounding Cape Town.