Cape Town - Further Afield

Llandudno

No, not the Welsh town, but a handsome garden suburb 18km from the Cape Town city centre – with, perhaps, the best beach in the country. A smooth arc of fine white sand and blissfully remote coastal scenery. Naturists might prefer the more secluded Sandy Bay – Cape Town’s official nudist beach.

Simon’s Town

Named after the Governor of the Dutch settlement, Simon Van Der Stel, who arrived in the Cape in 1679, Simon’s Town is steeped in history, as a visit to the Simon’s Town Museum will reveal. The town’s handsome cluster of historic buildings house chi-chi boutiques, restaurants, bars and quirky shops. Quayside Mall overlooks the harbour and, from here, ferries depart regularly for trips to Seal Island and False Bay.

Bontebok National Park

There are around 300 Bontebok (a type of small antelope) in this excellent park, two hours away from the city. Before the park was founded, there were only 17 left in the world, after years of hunting. Look, too, for Hartebeest, Mountain Zebra and a variety of colourful birds. For bigger thrills, there are a number of game reserves situated a few hours’ drive away from Cape Town, all offering a theoretical chance to bag the ‘Big Five’ (allegedly the five most difficult African animals to hunt on foot: the lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo and rhinoceros). But the only trophies you’ll be collecting, of course, are the photographic variety.