Discovering the Wonders of Cape Town and the Western Cape

The Western Cape of South Africa is an extraordinary place. Home to a culmination of diverse landscapes, unforgettable wildlife experiences and some of the warmest, most innovative people on the planet.

Cape Town is also where you’ll find most of our ROAR AFRICA team, which makes bringing our travelers to the Mother City we love all the more fulfilling. So much more than a destination, the Western Cape is the genesis of endless possibilities that beckon to be experienced again and again.

From gentle, playful African penguins at Boulders Beach to cultured Cape Town experiences, we'll guide you through the must-see attractions, hidden gems and adrenalizing adventures that await you in this spectacular corner of the world.

Cape Town, South Africa Attractions

Table Mountain

This 3,000-foot sheath of rock—with a uniquely flat plateau that stretches nearly two miles—sets Cape Town apart from any other coastal city we know. Home to two million years of archaeological history, breathtaking views of the Atlantic and rare flora and fauna like indigenous fynbos, found only in Cape Town on Table Mountain, this is perhaps our city’s greatest source of pride. You can experience its splendor in far more ways than one: Hike its peaks at sunrise, ride the famous cable car or entrust the ROAR AFRICA team to create a custom tour for your city safari.

Boulders Beach, South Africa

The Western Cape of South Africa is known for pristine beaches, but one stands out from the rest. One of the continent’s very few colonies of African penguins lives on Boulders Beach, known as the most stunning place to see these lively and playful endangered creatures. Watch their signature braying from the boardwalks near Foxy Beach, then head to the soft white sand for a sunbathing spot by the boulders, which protect beachgoers from strong winds and waves or hop on a kayak to explore the glassy blue waters.

Cape Town Highlights

All Cape Town walks should start at the V&A Waterfront, a mixed-use coastal area that includes some of the city’s most influential cultural institutions, including the Zeitz MOCAA. Also unmissable is to celebrate the triumph of freedom over oppression at Robben Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site where Nelson Mandela and fellow anti-apartheid activists were once imprisoned. And when Table Mountain calls, head to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, a feat of biodiversity perched against the mountain’s eastern slopes. This two-square-mile fynbos oasis lies in the UNESCO-recognized Cape Floral Region, a tiny slice of Africa that contains a mind-blowing one-fifth of the continent’s plant species—including South Africa’s magnificent national flower, the pink-petaled king protea.

Venturing Beyond Cape Town

Cape Winelands

Naturally, the best food and wine in the Western Cape can be found in the Cape Winelands east of Cape Town, and especially in our favorite regions of Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Paarl. Charming hamlets, historic wine estates and restaurants run by some of the country’s most groundbreaking chefs dot the emerald green valleys of this natural playground. More than fine dining and wine tasting await here: Cape Winelands trails are perfect for cycling and horseback riding, while the towns are flush with art galleries and Cape Dutch architecture. And then there’s Sterrekopje Healing Farm, a magical, therapeutic creative retreat where the soft sounds of singing birds and swaying trees are an antidote to the noise and freneticism of modern life.

Garden Route

Nothing evokes the grandeur of the Western Cape quite like a coastal drive—and the Garden Route is perhaps the best on the continent. This easy-to-drive, 124-mile stretch of southernmost African coastline consists of one treasure after another. There’s the Oyster Festival of Knysna, the waterfall hikes of Wilderness National Park and the awe-inspiring coves, cliffs and whale-inhabited waters of Plettenberg Bay, to name a few. The freedom to take your time and explore the often-secluded natural spaces along the Garden Route is the ultimate privilege.

Cape Town Safari

A luxury South African safari with ROAR AFRICA takes you from the beach to the bush, underscoring the sheer diversity of landscapes and experiences in this dynamic country. Close to Cape Town, our insider team curates exhilarating wildlife encounters by both land and sea. A penguin paddle gets you unparalleled access to South Africa’s famous flightless birds (and likely some Cape fur seals and migratory whales and dolphins along the way), while an excursion in Table Mountain National Park is nearly synonymous with seeing antelope, dassies and Chacma baboons.

Planning Your Trip

When is the best time to visit Cape Town?

Cape Town is a year-round destination, and ROAR AFRICA promises to help you visit South Africa at its peak for the unique safari experience you’ve always envisioned. While every season has its highlights, Cape Town is particularly wonderful from March to May and September to November, when rain is minimal, daytime temperatures are in the low seventies and high-season crowds haven’t yet arrived. May and September also coincide with the dry season around Kruger National Park—perfect if you’re interested in a city escape to Cape Town followed by a luxury safari around broader South Africa.

Where is the Cape of Good Hope?

The Cape of Good Hope, the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula, is about 40 miles south of central Cape Town. An hour-and-a-half drive from the V&A Waterfront, the Cape of Good Hope makes for a fantastic coastal drive destination from your city hotel.

Beckoned by the Mother City? Visiting Cape Town on a custom safari with ROAR AFRICA is deeply personal—after all, we are sharing our home, not selling a destination. To travel with our dedicated team is to be provided with every comfort, answered of every question and changed for the better.

Experience “the world in one country” on a South African safari with the experts who call this incredible place home. Learn how to embark on the journey of a lifetime with ROAR AFRICA today.