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Tips for first time visitors to Cape Town
South Africa
Cape Town taken from Signal Hill
Tour the spectacular
Cape Peninsula
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Phone (Local) 0836651065
(International) +27 836651065
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Most visitors to Cape Town arrive by air and land at
Cape Town’s International Airport.
The International terminal has recently been
upgraded and facilities are good.
The airport is about a twenty minute drive from the
centre of Cape Town along the N2 freeway.
For those brave people who like to drive themselves it
is easy to hire a car as most car hire firms are
represented at the airport.
Anybody who is used to driving on the right is in for a surprise.
We don’t! The Brits taught us to drive on the left. Please remember
this as you could find yourself in trouble on the roads.
BEWARE of the MINI BUS taxis. They drive like maniacs, stop
anywhere and don’t stop at traffic lights.
The motor car taxis found at the V & A Waterfront and at the airports are fine.
The roads in and around town are good and well signposted.
If you know where you are going you should not get lost.
That’s easily said, I still get lost sometimes. You know us men,
we don’t like asking for directions.
Cape Town has three major access roads to get you in and out of town.
The N1 which takes you to the north and the suburbs of Parow,
Bellville and onto Paarl and the winelands if you keep on going.
The N2 takes you along De Waal drive down Settlers way to the
airport and Somerset West and if you keep going
to Mossel Bay via Sir Lowry’s Pass.
To avoid peak traffic do not drive along these roads
from about 4.30 onwards in the afternoons.
The third is the main road which takes you south through
all the suburbs of Cape Town to Simonstown. Plenty of traffic
lights, stop start driving and pedestrians.
For shoppers there are some large shopping centres to visit.
Canals at Century City
Century City (Canal Walk) is the biggest and is found just off
the N1 highway about 5 kilometres out of town.
Here there are hundreds of shops to browse through.
Do yourself a favour and wear your walking shoes when visiting
Canal Walk. You will walk for miles and are sure to get sore feet.
However, there are many restaurants and coffee shops
to visit when you get tired, trust me you WILL!
It is enormous with two levels and two shopping malls
on each level. A shopaholics dream come true!
While you are there
visit the bird hide on Intaka island.
Cape Town itself has plenty to see and do. If you want
to avoid driving, take a bus to the waterfront and visit
the shops restaurants and pubs there. Many of the larger
chain stores you find at Canal walk (Century City)
are also represented at the Waterfront.
The V & A Waterfront is part of Table Bay
Harbour and is still used as a working harbour.
Like boats? Take a cruise. Fancy a trip to Robben Island ?
They also leave from the harbour.
Cape Town has many places of interest within walking
distance of the city centre.
I will list a few below.
Museum and Planetarium found in the Gardens. .
The Gardens and the Art Gallery..
Oceanarium in the Waterfront..
The Castle of the Cape of Good Hope found close to
the railway station..
Green Market Square with it’s permanent flea market.
St Georges Cathedral.
Cape Town is relatively safe with most areas being
monitored by surveillance cameras.
There are however, those who will try their luck,
so please keep all jewellery and valuables hidden under your clothing.
It is not safe to walk around by yourself at night.
It’s Ok at the Waterfront and Canal Walk, but not anywhere else.
If you are driving keep your doors locked at all times
and do not leave valuables where they can be seen,
even when you are in the car.
Be careful at traffic lights especially at night as highjackers lurk
near them as do the smash and grab thieves.
The South African currency is Rand and cents. A British pound
is the equivalent of about R14.75 and a US dollar about R7.50.
If you are visiting Cape Town in summer, bring lots of beachwear
and a hat. The sun is very dangerous. On the beaches use plenty
of sunblock to prevent bad sunburn. Be careful of the rip tides
on some of the beaches if you decide to have a swim. Find out whether its safe for swimming
as there have been a number of shark attacks of late.
Enjoy your trip.
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Contact Details
Email Geoff Fairman
6 Bothma Street, Monte Vista 7460 South Africa
© 2009 Turtle SA - All Rights Reserved - Cape Town Tours
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