The Ultimate CAPE TOWN Guide: From Shark Diving to Stunning Vineyards

1. ​​​HOW TO MOVE IN CAPETOWN
2. IS CAPE TOWN SAFE?
3. WHERE TO STAY IN CAPE TOWN
4. ​IS IT AFFORDABLE TO VISIT CAPE TOWN?
5. BEST TIME TO GO TO CAPE TOWN? WHAT TO WEAR IN CAPE TOWN?
6. ADD ADVENTURE TO YOUR CAPE TOWN TRIP 
7. TIPS FOR SHARK CAGE DIVING
8. SEAL SNORKELLING
9. TIPS FOR  WINE TASTING IN CAPE TOWN
10. HOW TO VISIT FAMOUS WINE ESTATES IN CAPE TOWN
11. WHICH TOWN TO CHOOSE TO STAY IN CAPE WINELANDS ON THE WINE ROUTE
12. THE MOST STUNNING WINE ESTATES IN STELLENBOSCH 

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1- HOW TO MOVE IN CAPE TOWN

• Renting a car in Cape Town is quite common and affordable. You should reserve your rental car online, expect to wait in long queues to get your rental car at the Airport. However, the traffic is on the left hand side, like in UK. If you are coming from a country where the traffic is from the right hand side and if you are not a self confident driver. then you can be scared to drive. Eventhough the traffic is not scary at all. 
• If you do not feel confident to drive on the left side or you do not want to rent a car for some reason, then Uber or Bolt are your fastest options. The fares are quite fair. 
• By Uber or Bolt reaching main tourist attractions like Cape of Good Hope can be problematic. From the main entrance till the Cape of Good Hope there is quite a distance. If you want to be dropped off at the final point then you have to pay for your driver as well and convince him to wait for you. It may be stressful to try to find a ride back to the city when you finish there. Therefore if you do not rent a car, to visit Cape of Good or some other further destinations you should consider to purchase a tour better a combined daily tour to save (it is usually combined with Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony). There are many tours you can find online, some of which: VIATOR Another great tour itinerary can be the following, a whole day intense tour that covers all the musts: https://www.getyourguide.com. (I may get a commission on these recommended tours, which I sincerely think they are great. But do not worry there will be no additional cost for you!)
• MyCiti Bus can be a cheaper though slower option to move around Cape Town city. Downloading their app you can plan accordingly and expect  the timing of the bus arrival. Their itineraries cover Waterfront, Camps Bay even Hout Bay but not Cape Of Good Hope, Boulders Beach or Muizenberg.

Cape of Good Hope entrance queue

Our rental car in Cape of Good Hope

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2- IS CAPE TOWN SAFE? 

• Many people I meet are scared to go to a trip in South Africa for safety concerns. I have been several times in Cape Town, some with friends, some in couple once even with my mum. As 2 women travelling alone, I have not had any bad experience or felt unsafe. But of course you need to know where and when you can go to certain places in Cape Town.
  
• The city center of Cape Town is primarily a business district. So during the day it is ok but you need to avoid the area after dark. Also Capetonians do not choose to spend their leisure time in the center. The one exception is the lively Long Street, which comes to life after dark with its numerous bars and restaurants, attracting a young and energetic crowd. However, even here, it’s important to stay vigilant, as safety can still be a concern.​

Cape Town's dangerous suburbs

Cape Town city center

Long street by night, Cape Town center

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3 - WHERE TO STAY IN CAPE TOWN?

• Stay in safe neighborhoods like Camps Bay, Sea Point, or Hout Bay. The Waterfront is well-known for being very secure, but be aware that hotels just outside this area may be in less safe parts of the city. Fortunately, Cape Town offers excellent quality B&Bs and guesthouses, allowing you to avoid the high costs of hotels while still enjoying a comfortable stay. The first time I stayed in a nice hotel in Long Street with friends, but I do not recommend it for safety and car parking. Another time I stayed in a hotel close to Waterfront, while walking I didn't feel very safe. It was nice to stay in Camps Bay (B&B) as it is a beautiful area and close to the Table Mountain and city center, and didn't have to pass from the city traffic all the time. Last time I stayed in a B&B in Hout Bay Area and loved it since closer to all the attractions and I didn't have to wake up very early. 

Camps Bay, a safe neighborhood

 

​4 - IS IT AFFORDABLE TO VISIT CAPE TOWN?

• Visiting Cape Town is quite affordable with a high quality/price ratio especially if you earn a currency stronger than South African Rand.  The prices for restaurants, B&Bs, and car rentals are all budget-friendly compared to those in Europe or the USA.

In one of the cozy restaurants of Waterfront in Cape Town

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5- BEST TIME TO GO TO CAPE TOWN? WHAT TO WEAR IN CAPE TOWN?

• The weather is not an obstacle to travel to Cape Town, except for the strong winds. Mostly it is said that Jan-May is the best time to go, but I have been there on October, November as well as June and, January and had no issues at all.  
• Cape Town’s weather can be very windy and change rapidly, so bring layers.
• Just bring casual clothes; Jeans, tshirts, a pullover, a wind or raincoat, scarf and comfortable shoes.
• The Table Mountain cable car does not operate in very windy conditions. I couldn't take my mom to see it due to the wind. Therefore, on the first beautiful day or evening (which is ideal for sunset to avoid crowds), plan to visit Table Mountain, one of the natural wonders of the world.

December wind :)

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6- add adventure to your cape town trip

•  As soon as you arrive to Cape Town you will find  shark cage diving flyers everywhere. You can either book a tour through your hotel, where they’ll arrange pickup, or reserve a spot directly and meet the team in Hermanus or Gansbaai (1 and 2 hours drive from Cape Town respectively) You need almost a full day for the shark cage diving experience (around €160 per person)​
• Alternatively, you can go seal snorkeling in Hout Bay. You need a half a day for the seal snorkeling (around €130).
• If your budget allows, a scenic helicopter tour around Cape Tour will be an unforgetable experience. The cost varies according to the tour offered from 130 to 200 eur per person

Cape Town View from Helicopter

Cape Town View from Helicopter

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​7- TIPS FOR SHARK CAGE diving

I went to shark cage diving twice, a freezing experience not only for facing literally sharks but also for the cold temperature and of the ocean. But I remember on both occasions I suffer the waves sea sickness more than anything. 
The Jaws movies were the source of my terror as a child, and even now, when I swim in the Amalfi Coast, I am still scared of sharks. So, this was an opportunity for me to face my phobias—which, to be honest, rarely helped. But I would do it again and again. Seeing those fascinating sharks angrily trying to bite our cages is a thrilling experience.
Confession: I’m not sure how morally correct it is, as we are actively stimulating the sharks, and there are many ongoing discussions about it.

• ​The experience begins with a safety briefing at their office followed by a boat ride to the middle of the ocean. Once there, they will pour fish blood into the water—a process with an unbearable stench that doesn't help if you’re already seasick. Meanwhile, they’ll provide you with wetsuits to prepare for the dive.

• Once enough sharks are nearby, you will descend into a cage that is already underwater and attached to the boat. Your head will normally stay above the water to breathe, and they will warn you when to submerge for a better view of the approaching sharks.
• During my first experience, I felt safe and secure in the cage. However, on my second trip, the cage was too large for my small frame, and my arms and legs occasionally slipped uncontrollably out of the bars—a nerve-wracking and potentially dangerous situation. The cage accommodates a limited number of people, so participants are divided into groups, with each group spending about 10–15 minutes in the water. If there’s time and your stomach is strong, you can go down multiple times.​
• During my second shark cage diving experience, a crazy American tourist dropped his drone into the water. I promise, if you don't believe this, he actually jumped into the water to save his drone, while the cage was down with people inside and surrounded by sharks. On the boat, there was a huge panic. The team managed to save him but made him almost cry as they explained that he had not only risked his own life but also the lives of others and the jobs of hundreds of people. Of course, after such a scandal, it was clear that they had to shut down the business for some time.
  

Safety Briefing before Shark Cage Diving

Sailing for Shark Cage Diving

The cage full of people surrounded by sharks under my feet

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8- seal snorkelling

​​In Hout Bay, we joined Animal Ocean's seal snorkeling tour. It was an amazing experience. However, while writing this article a few months later, I contacted them for updated pricing information and learned that, unfortunately, there has been an outbreak of rabies in seals. As a result, they can no longer offer traditional seal snorkeling trips. Instead, they now organize a longer snorkeling tour, lasting about 4 hours, to reach healthy seals and snorkel in the kelp forests. This tour costs 2,500 rand per person (approximately €134 or $140). When we swam in the Atlantic Ocean, it was January—summer in South Africa—but the weather was so windy that our first day of the excursion was canceled. Animal Ocean was incredibly kind, keeping us updated via WhatsApp about the situation, which allowed us to make other plans while waiting to embark on this adventure.

Seal Snorkelling Adventure in Hout Bay

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9- tips for WINE TASTING IN CAPE TOWN

​If you’re planning to include a wine experience in your trip, Constantia is conveniently located along the route to several must-see attractions near Cape Town. If you’re short on time, you can enjoy a wine tasting paired with lunch in Constantia. However, if you have more time, I recommend reserving at least one night and two days to explore the stunning wine estates in Stellenbosch, which is only about a 40-minute drive from Cape Town.

Lovely Groot Constantia

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10- HOW TO VISIT FAMOUS WINE ESTATES IN CAPE TOWN:

When you drive 50 km further to Cape Town, following Road 62 or Wine Route, you will reach to Cape Wineland. 
The biggest, and for me cutest Stellenbosch is a must to visit and offers many quality B&Bs.  
The most famous zone for wine estates are Stellenbosch, in fact if you have limited days in Cape Town, a visit to Stellenbosch is a must. But there are also other smaller cities like Paarl, Franschoek.  Of course not to forget the most prestigous suburb of Cape Town, Constantia, where there is the oldest wine estate in Cape Town, Groot Constantia (suggested in 3 and 5 days itinerary)

 

 

11- WHICH TOWN TO CHOOSE TO STAY IN CAPE WINELANDS ON THE WINE ROUTE

Most people find it difficult to choose between staying in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. While Paarl is less preferred, as it doesn't have the charm and coziness of its neighbors, it definetely has some of the most stunning views in the region. There is choice for all tastes and budgets. It offers less but more in terms of luxury gourmet dining, boutique hotels and wine estates.  
Most people find it difficult to choose between staying in Stellenbosch or Franschhoek. While Paarl is less preferred, as it lacks the charm and coziness of its neighbors, it undeniably boasts some of the most stunning views in the region. Stellenbosch stands out for its variety, offering a wide range of restaurants, accommodations, and wine estates to suit all tastes and budgets. On the other hand, Franschhoek, though smaller, is a picturesque gem often favored by older travelers and those with higher budgets. It provides a more exclusive experience, with a focus on gourmet dining, boutique hotels, and premium wine estates.

• Stellenbosch:
  • Stellenbosch is a larger, younger, more lively and affordable.
  • It offers bigger opportunities in terms of restaurants, hotels and wine estates.
• Franschhoek:
  • Franschoek, as little as gorgeous, is more frequently preferred by older travelers seeking refined experience.
  • It offers known for its upscale gourmet dining, boutique hotels, and wine estates.
  • Franschoek even offers a wine train with various wine itinerariy options.  
• Paarl:
  • Paarl is overshadowed by its more famous neighbors but stands out for its stunning views.
  • It offers fewer choices of restaurants and cozy accommodations, sobetter to visit its wine estates on a day trip.

Wine Tasting in Winelands, Western Cape

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12- THE 6 most stunning wine estates in stellenbosch

It is really hard to choose among gorgeous wine estates. Do not be overwhelmed, here is my favorite list based on their stunning environment, view as well as wines: Here is the most stunning wine estate list in Stellenbosch: 

1. Spier Wine Farm  
2. Lanzerac - Good for chocolate&wine tasting 
3. Rust en Vrede Wine Estate
4. Delaire Graff
5. Tokara
6. Waterford Wine Estate

There are some wine estate offering wildlife experience together with wining, like Vredenheim Winery & Big Cats Park but it really does not feel like wildlife but zoos, so not recommendable. ​

Coffee instead of wine tasting for breakfast in Neethlingshof Wine Estate

Wine tasting in Stellenbosch, Lanzarac

Stunning Wine Estates of Stellenbosch