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| − | [[Image:South Africa-Western Cape-Winelands01.jpg|thumb|320px|The Western Cape winelands produce very good wine.]]
| + | The '''Western Cape'''[http://www.capetourism.org] is the most south western province in [[South Africa]], covering many of South Africa's tourist destinations and attractions. |
| − | | + | |
| − | The '''Western Cape'''[http://www.capetourism.org] is the most south western province in [[South Africa]], covering most of South Africa's tourist destinations and attractions. | + | |
| | | | |
| | ==Regions== | | ==Regions== |
| − | [[Image:Map-South_Africa-Western_Cape02.png|thumb|320px|Western Cape]]
| + | The Western Cape can be divided in the following regions: |
| − | *[[Cape Peninsula]]
| + | |
| − | *[[Cape Winelands]] - east of [[Cape Town]] and easily visited in a day trip from [[Cape Town]]
| + | |
| − | *[[West Coast (South Africa)|West Coast]] - less crowded with tourists this region offers beautiful scenery for the nature lover
| + | |
| − | *The [[Overberg]]
| + | |
| − | *The [[Garden Route]] - lovely scenery and one of South Africa`s tourist hot-spots
| + | |
| − | *The [[Little Karoo]] - nowadays popular semi-desert region easily reached on the R62
| + | |
| − | *The [[Cape Karoo]]
| + | |
| | | | |
| − | ==Cities== | + | {{Regionlist| |
| | + | regionmap=Map-South_Africa-Western_Cape02.png|thumb|350px|Western Cape | |
| | + | regionmapsize=350px | |
| | + | |
| | + | region1name=[[Cape Peninsula]] | |
| | + | region1color=#db6d69 | |
| | + | region1items= | |
| | + | region1description= | |
| | + | |
| | + | region2name=[[Cape Winelands ]] | |
| | + | region2color=#a78379 | |
| | + | region2items= | |
| | + | region2description=East of [[Cape Town]] and easily visited in a day trip from [[Cape Town]]| |
| | + | |
| | + | region3name=[[West Coast (South Africa)|West Coast]]| |
| | + | region3color=#707142 | |
| | + | region3items= | |
| | + | region3description=Less crowded with tourists this region offers beautiful scenery for the nature lover | |
| | + | |
| | + | region4name=The [[Overberg]] | |
| | + | region4color=#d2e89b | |
| | + | region4items= | |
| | + | region4description=| |
| | + | |
| | + | region5name=The [[Garden Route]] | |
| | + | region5color=#5ea570 | |
| | + | region5items= | |
| | + | region5description=Lovely scenery and one of South Africa`s tourist hot-spots| |
| | + | |
| | + | region6name=The [[Little Karoo]] | |
| | + | region6color=#e2d774 | |
| | + | region6items= | |
| | + | region6description=Nowadays popular semi-desert region easily reached on the R62| |
| | + | |
| | + | region7name=The [[Cape Karoo]] | |
| | + | region7color=#a4ad7d | |
| | + | region7items= | |
| | + | region7description=| |
| | + | |
| | + | }} |
| | + | [[image:RSA_Cape_Peninsula.jpg|thumb|350px|The [[Cape Peninsula]].]] |
| | + | ==Cities and Towns== |
| | [[image:RSA_Bloubergstrand.jpg|thumb|View on [[Table Mountain]].]] | | [[image:RSA_Bloubergstrand.jpg|thumb|View on [[Table Mountain]].]] |
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| | *[[Paarl]] | | *[[Paarl]] |
| | *[[George]] - gateway to the [[Garden Route]] | | *[[George]] - gateway to the [[Garden Route]] |
| | + | *[[Knysna]] - a beautiful city in the [[Garden Route]] |
| | + | *[[Mossel Bay]] - stunning beaches |
| | + | *[[Oudtshoorn]] - the ostrich capital of the country, near the Cango Caves |
| | | | |
| | ==Other destinations== | | ==Other destinations== |
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| | *[[Gansbaai]] - on the majestic Walker Bay and with an unspoilt and untouched hinterland, ruled by floral abundance | | *[[Gansbaai]] - on the majestic Walker Bay and with an unspoilt and untouched hinterland, ruled by floral abundance |
| | *[[Hermanus]] - famous for the whale-watching | | *[[Hermanus]] - famous for the whale-watching |
| − | *[[Knysna]] - a beautiful city in the [[Garden Route]]
| + | |
| | *[[Montagu]] - a small town in the little (Klein) Karoo with many fine examples of Dutch-Cape architecture | | *[[Montagu]] - a small town in the little (Klein) Karoo with many fine examples of Dutch-Cape architecture |
| − | *[[Mossel Bay]] - stunning beaches
| + | |
| − | *[[Oudtshoorn]] - the ostrich capital of the country, near the Cango Caves
| + | |
| | *[[Swellendam]] - one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa houses some fine examples of Dutch-Cape architecture | | *[[Swellendam]] - one of the oldest European settlements in South Africa houses some fine examples of Dutch-Cape architecture |
| | *[[Yzerfontein]] - Spring flowers, whales, a sixteen mile beach and west coast hospitality | | *[[Yzerfontein]] - Spring flowers, whales, a sixteen mile beach and west coast hospitality |
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| | ===National Parks=== | | ===National Parks=== |
| | [[image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|A Bontebok.]] | | [[image:RSA_Bontebok.jpg|thumb|A Bontebok.]] |
| − | *[[West Coast National Park]] - 120 km north of [[Cape Town]], between [[Yzerfontein]] & [[Langebaan]] | + | *[[Agulhas National Park]] |
| | *[[Bontebok National Park]] - a small but beautiful park near [[Swellendam]] | | *[[Bontebok National Park]] - a small but beautiful park near [[Swellendam]] |
| | + | *[[Garden Route National Park]] |
| | + | **Knysna Lake Area |
| | + | **[[Tsitsikamma National Park]] |
| | + | **[[Wilderness National Park]] |
| | + | *[[Karoo National Park]] |
| | + | *[[Table Mountain National Park]] |
| | + | *[[Tankwa Karoo National Park]] |
| | + | *[[West Coast National Park]] - 120 km north of [[Cape Town]], between [[Yzerfontein]] & [[Langebaan]] |
| | | | |
| | ===Other nature reserves=== | | ===Other nature reserves=== |
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| |
| | * <listing name="Cederberg Wilderness Area" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="+27 (0)27 482-2812" email="" fax="" url="http://www.capenature.org.za/" hours="" price="">Rugged and isolated area with some fine hiking options, be aware that permission is required and the number of hikers is limited</listing> | | * <listing name="Cederberg Wilderness Area" alt="" directions="" address="" phone="+27 (0)27 482-2812" email="" fax="" url="http://www.capenature.org.za/" hours="" price="">Rugged and isolated area with some fine hiking options, be aware that permission is required and the number of hikers is limited</listing> |
| | * [[De Hoop Nature Reserve]] - perfect for whale watching | | * [[De Hoop Nature Reserve]] - perfect for whale watching |
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| | ==Get in== | | ==Get in== |
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| | ===By Plane=== | | ===By Plane=== |
| | [[Cape Town|Cape Town's]] international airport is the country's second largest after [[Johannesburg]]. There is also an airport in [[George]] which offers connections to most major cities in [[South Africa]]. | | [[Cape Town|Cape Town's]] international airport is the country's second largest after [[Johannesburg]]. There is also an airport in [[George]] which offers connections to most major cities in [[South Africa]]. |
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| | ==Get around== | | ==Get around== |
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| | ===By Bus=== | | ===By Bus=== |
| | The main bus companies offer regular services in the Western Cape (e.G. Intercape, Greyhound, Translux) as does the Baz Bus. | | The main bus companies offer regular services in the Western Cape (e.G. Intercape, Greyhound, Translux) as does the Baz Bus. |
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| | ===By Car=== | | ===By Car=== |
| | There is a good road network and as some places are not accessible by public transport this is a good way to travel the Cape. Car rental is available in Cape Town and in the larger towns. | | There is a good road network and as some places are not accessible by public transport this is a good way to travel the Cape. Car rental is available in Cape Town and in the larger towns. |
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| − | * <listing name="First Car Rental" alt="First Car Rental" address="Unit E Colstein Terrace, 88 Belvedere Road, Rondebosch" directions="" phone="+27 (0) 21 683 8715" url="http://www.firstcarrental.co.za/" hours="24 hours" price="From R165 per day" lat="S33°58'10.52" long="E18°35'32.09" email="reservations@cmh.co.za" tollfree="0861 011 323" fax="">Find out more about First Car Rental - a care hire company that provides affordable car rental in the Western Cape. </listing>
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| | ===By a guide=== | | ===By a guide=== |
| | There are a few hundred registered and qualified guides who know their way in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The Cape Tour Guides Association [http://www.ctga.org.za] can provide travellers with a list of all tour guides and their specialities. | | There are a few hundred registered and qualified guides who know their way in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The Cape Tour Guides Association [http://www.ctga.org.za] can provide travellers with a list of all tour guides and their specialities. |
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| | ==See== | | ==See== |
| − | [[image:RSA_Cape_Peninsula.jpg|thumb|The [[Cape Peninsula]].]]
| |
| | * '''Table Mountain''' in [[Cape Town]] and the [[Cape Peninsula]] | | * '''Table Mountain''' in [[Cape Town]] and the [[Cape Peninsula]] |
| | * '''[[Cape Winelands]]''' around [[Paarl]], [[Stellenbosch]] and [[Franschhoek]] | | * '''[[Cape Winelands]]''' around [[Paarl]], [[Stellenbosch]] and [[Franschhoek]] |
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| | ==Do== | | ==Do== |
| − | The Western Cape offers nearly everything a traveler could want. From buzzling night-life in [[Cape Town]] and [[Stellenbosch]] to wonderful beaches and many outdoor options. So the basic itinerary should include some days in [[Cape Town]], a visit to the Cape of Good Hope (and don`t miss the penguins at [[Boulders|Boulders Beach]]), wine tasting in [[Paarl]] or [[Franschhoek]] or [[Robertson]], [[Swartland]] and [[Overberg]], and a trip along the [[Garden Route]]. There are also a number of smaller National Parks with hiking trails for a day out. One of the newer 'primary unusual destinations' is Soekershof Walkabout [http://www.soekershof.com] located in Klaas Voogds along Route 62. This place consists among others of the largest permanent hedge maze in the world; a philosophers garden and unique succulent gardens with the oldest cactus -anno 1910- of South Africa. Visitors can earn a memento by fulfilling a quest. | + | The Western Cape offers nearly everything a traveler could want. From buzzling night-life in [[Cape Town]] and [[Stellenbosch]] to wonderful beaches and many outdoor options. So the basic itinerary should include some days in [[Cape Town]], a visit to the Cape of Good Hope (and don`t miss the penguins at [[Boulders|Boulders Beach]]), wine tasting in [[Paarl]] or [[Franschhoek]] or [[Robertson (Western Cape)|Robertson]], [[Swartland]] and [[Overberg]], and a trip along the [[Garden Route]]. There are also a number of smaller National Parks with hiking trails for a day out. One of the newer 'primary unusual destinations' is Soekershof Walkabout [http://www.soekershof.com] located in Klaas Voogds along Route 62. This place consists among others of the largest permanent hedge maze in the world; a philosophers garden and unique succulent gardens with the oldest cactus -anno 1910- of South Africa. Visitors can earn a memento by fulfilling a quest. |
| − | In the [[Robertson]] Valley are diverse hiking trails such as Arrangies Kop and Die Vrolijkheid | + | In the [[Robertson (Western Cape)|Robertson]] Valley are diverse hiking trails such as Arrangies Kop and Die Vrolijkheid |
| | *[[Rock_climbing#South_Africa|Rock Climbing]] | | *[[Rock_climbing#South_Africa|Rock Climbing]] |
| | *Scuba diving | | *Scuba diving |
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| | ==Drink== | | ==Drink== |
| | + | [[Image:South Africa-Western Cape-Winelands01.jpg|thumb|200px|The Western Cape winelands produce very good wine.]] |
| | This is the region to taste [[South Africa|South Africa`s]] best wine. Tour the cellars around [[Paarl]], [[Stellenbosch]] and [[Franschhoek]] but check for a driver before ... | | This is the region to taste [[South Africa|South Africa`s]] best wine. Tour the cellars around [[Paarl]], [[Stellenbosch]] and [[Franschhoek]] but check for a driver before ... |
| | Recently the wine producing areas in the [[Overberg]], [[Swartland]] and [[Robertson (Western Cape)|Robertson]] are gaining international recognition. Not only is the wine tasting in these areas for free. While the wine of the traditional wine producing areas of South Africa are moved to the lower shelves of the European supermarkets the ones from the upcoming areas can be found in top restaurants and special liquor stores and wine boutiques in Europe and North America as premium brands. | | Recently the wine producing areas in the [[Overberg]], [[Swartland]] and [[Robertson (Western Cape)|Robertson]] are gaining international recognition. Not only is the wine tasting in these areas for free. While the wine of the traditional wine producing areas of South Africa are moved to the lower shelves of the European supermarkets the ones from the upcoming areas can be found in top restaurants and special liquor stores and wine boutiques in Europe and North America as premium brands. |
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| | ==Get out== | | ==Get out== |
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| | {{IsPartOf|South Africa}} | | {{IsPartOf|South Africa}} |
| − | {{usableregion}}
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| | {{geo|-34|20}} | | {{geo|-34|20}} |
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| | + | {{usableregion}} |
| | + | {{regionguide}} |
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| − | [[de:Western Cape]]
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| − | [[pt:Cabo Ocidental]]
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| | [[wts:Category:Western Cape]] | | [[wts:Category:Western Cape]] |
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| | [[WikiPedia:Western Cape]] | | [[WikiPedia:Western Cape]] |
| | [[Dmoz:Africa/South_Africa/Provinces/Western_Cape/]] | | [[Dmoz:Africa/South_Africa/Provinces/Western_Cape/]] |
| | + | |
| | + | [[de:Western Cape]] |
| | + | [[nl:West-Kaap]] |
| | + | [[pt:Cabo Ocidental]] |
The main bus companies offer regular services in the Western Cape (e.G. Intercape, Greyhound, Translux) as does the Baz Bus.
There is a good road network and as some places are not accessible by public transport this is a good way to travel the Cape. Car rental is available in Cape Town and in the larger towns.
There are a few hundred registered and qualified guides who know their way in Cape Town and the Western Cape. The Cape Tour Guides Association [7] can provide travellers with a list of all tour guides and their specialities.
The Western Cape offers nearly everything a traveler could want. From buzzling night-life in Cape Town and Stellenbosch to wonderful beaches and many outdoor options. So the basic itinerary should include some days in Cape Town, a visit to the Cape of Good Hope (and don`t miss the penguins at Boulders Beach), wine tasting in Paarl or Franschhoek or Robertson, Swartland and Overberg, and a trip along the Garden Route. There are also a number of smaller National Parks with hiking trails for a day out. One of the newer 'primary unusual destinations' is Soekershof Walkabout [8] located in Klaas Voogds along Route 62. This place consists among others of the largest permanent hedge maze in the world; a philosophers garden and unique succulent gardens with the oldest cactus -anno 1910- of South Africa. Visitors can earn a memento by fulfilling a quest.
In the Robertson Valley are diverse hiking trails such as Arrangies Kop and Die Vrolijkheid
