- attractions - Countries Guide

Table Mountain
Cape Town's most popular tourist attraction is also its most famous physical feature, the flat-topped mountain that stands sentinel over the city. Table Mountain has been proclaimed a nature reserve, protecting its diverse floral species, some unique to its slopes. The views from the top of the mountain are quite spectacular. A Swiss-built rotating cable car carries visitors smoothly up the mountain and back. The mountain-top is equipped with a restaurant and small gift shop, as well as numerous pathways and vantage points. It is possible to climb the mountain via different routes, but inexperienced hikers should take care because Cape Town is prone to sudden weather changes. The walk up can take anything between one and four hours depending on the route and level of fitness. Route maps can be bought at the cable-car station. It is always best to check the website or call the weatherline to see if the cable car is in operation.
Telephone: 021 424 8181 (weatherline) or 021 424 0015
Website: www.tablemountain.net
Transport: Bus to Kloof Nek from Adderley Street and a 1.5km walk up the hill; minibus taxi from the Parade; Riki taxi; or as part of the Cape Explorer Topless bus tour
Opening times: Cable car operates daily (weather permitting) every 10-15 minutes from 8am to 8pm (November); 8am to 10pm (December to January); 8am to 8.30pm (February); 8am to 7.30pm (March); 8am to 6.30pm (April); 8.30am to 6pm (May to mid-September); 8.30am to 7pm (16 September to October). Closed for annual maintenance for about three weeks in July and August

Castle of Good Hope
South Africa's oldest building, the Castle was completed in 1679 (replacing an earlier mud and timber fort built by the first Dutch Governor, Jan van Riebeeck). Situated adjacent to a parking lot and bus station in Buitenkant Street, its walls mark the original boundary of the seashore where the waves washed up against the fortifications. Its outside aspect is somewhat foreboding, but inside are some interesting features and collections that have been restored, offering a good insight into the early days of the Cape when it was the centre of social and economic life. The castle is a pentagonal fortification with a moat and five bastions, each named for one of the titles of the Prince of Orange. The entrance is a good example of 17th century Dutch Classicism, and a bell, cast in 1679 by Claude Fremy in Amsterdam, still hangs from the original wood beams in the tower above the entrance. The castle contains a Military Museum depicting the conflicts that arose during the Cape's early settlement, and also houses the William Fehr Collection of decorative arts, including paintings, furniture and porcelain. Of interest are the dungeons, which bear the graffiti carved by prisoners incarcerated here centuries ago.
Telephone: 021 787 1249
Website: www.castleofgoodhope.co.za
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Opening times: Daily 9am to 4pm, with tours at 11am, 12pm and 2pm from Monday to Saturday. Self guided tours are possible with the aid of a map, provided by the Castle

. South African Museum and Planetarium
The imposing South African Museum, dedicated to natural history and the human sciences, contains a huge variety of fascinating exhibits from entire chunks of caves bearing rock art, to traditional arts and crafts from several African tribes. The natural history galleries are full of mounted mammals, dioramas of prehistoric reptiles and a collection of whale skeletons, which can be viewed with the eerie sound of whale song echoing in the background. Alongside the museum is the Planetarium, which has a changing programme of thematic shows involving the southern constellations.
Telephone: 021 481 3800 (museum), 021 481 3900 (planetarium)
Website: www.iziko.org.za
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Opening times: Daily 10am to 5pm. Planetarium shows Monday to Friday at 2pm and Tuesday evening show at 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 12pm, 1pm and 2.30pm

Greenmarket Square
Situated in the Central Business District, near the main station, is Greenmarket Square, the perfect spot to observe South Africa's 'rainbow nation' in all its hues. Once the scene of slave markets, this is the site of one of the city's most vibrant flea markets, where clothing, jewellery, knick-knacks and souvenirs are on sale every day, and tourists and business people rub shoulders in the many sidewalk cafes that surround this busy cobbled square. Be prepared to haggle at the market to get the best prices and be warned, touts are prevalent. On the west side of the square is the Old Town House, dating from the mid-18th century, which is a wonderful example of Cape Dutch architecture and houses the Michaelis collection of Dutch and Flemish landscape paintings.
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Opening times: Greenmarket Square open daily till 3pm, closed Sundays. Old Town House open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm

St George's Cathedral
Cape Town's Victorian Gothic style Anglican Cathedral, founded in 1901, is situated in Wale Street and is historically significant for it is where the enthronement of South Africa's first black archbishop, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu, took place. The Cathedral is unique in that it became a political powerhouse in the struggle against Apartheid, known as 'the people's cathedral', stating openly from the 1950s onwards that it was open to all people of all races at all times. This was a brave stand in the racially segregated society of the time.

In subsequent years the cathedral became the venue for many protest gatherings and vigils and on occasions the building was surrounded by police, water cannons and barbed wire. Victims of forced removals were even accommodated in the cathedral at times. As far as architectural merit goes, the cathedral does feature some fine Gabriel Loire windows, including a magnificent Rose Window above the south transept.
Telephone: 021 424 7360 (Cathedral office)
Website: www.stgeorgescathedral.com
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. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Five miles (eight km) south of the city centre lies the magnificent Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, covering a huge expanse of the rugged south-western slopes of the Table Mountain range. Kirstenbosch was bequeathed to the nation by mining magnate Cecil Rhodes in 1895, and today contains more than 22,000 plants, a research unit, botanical library and nursery. Numerous paths meander through the gardens, including a Braille route for the blind, which are full of lush shrubs and 'fynbos', the Cape's indigenous floral heritage. A tearoom, restaurant and coffee bar are on site. In summertime the delightful setting becomes the venue for Sunday evening open-air concerts, when picnickers relax on the lawns, sipping Cape wine, and enjoying the sunset entertainment.
Telephone: 021 799 8783
Website: www.kirstenbosch.co.za
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Opening times: Daily 8am to 6pm (April to August); 8am to 7pm (September to March)

Beaches
Cape Town has some great beaches, but the most easily accessible are on the Atlantic Ocean where the water is unbelievably cold; the locals rarely venture in beyond knee-high depths. The most popular is Camps Bay beach; a long, wide stretch of golden sand packed with locals and tourists alike and backed by a strip of fashionable bars and restaurants. Just towards town is Clifton, whose four beaches, imaginatively called First, Second, Third and Fourth, are situated beneath exclusive houses and apartments set into the cliff that protects sunbathers from the harsh southwesterly wind. First Beach is the largest and most popular with families (the steps are shorter), Second Beach is preferred by the 'camp' and 'hip' crowd, and Third and Fourth are usually frequented by well-toned locals and, when the waves are up, surfers. The small suburb of Llandudno, 15 minutes south of Camps Bay, is home to another excellent beach and is popular with locals from the Southern Suburbs or those keen to avoid the crowds. There are no bars or restaurants here, the nearest being at Hout Bay, another 10 minutes south. Hout Bay's long beach is popular with families and walkers but is not as stunning as its neighbours. 
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District Six Museum
Until the 1960s, District Six was a vibrant district of Cape Town, close to the city centre and the harbour. In 1966 the government declared District Six a 'whites only' area under the Group Areas Act and over 60,000 residents were forcibly moved to the outlying Cape Flats, a barren area several kilometres away, and their homes flattened by bulldozers. Communities and families were uprooted and torn apart, and this moving museum serves to safeguard the memories and the spirit that was District Six. The museum houses an impressive collection of historical materials, including photographs and relics such as street signs, much of which were donated by former residents. The museum also offers a guided tour of the area led by an ex resident, but these must be booked in advance.
Telephone: 021 466 7200
Website: www.districtsix.co.za
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Opening times: Monday 9am to 3pm, Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm

. Victoria & Alfred (V&A) Waterfront
This working harbour, historical site and shopping and entertainment development has become one of Cape Town's most visited tourist attractions. The waterfront offers everything from shopping malls, and arts and crafts markets, to live music, cinemas, buskers and a variety of festivals throughout the year. There are also more than 70 eateries ranging from pubs and fast food outlets to five star restaurants, luxury hotels, and a variety of boat trips, harbour cruises and helicopter charters. The Two Oceans Aquarium is the largest of its kind in Africa and is an impressive display of life in the oceans surrounding the Cape Coast (www.aquarium.co.za).
Telephone: 021 408 7600, or 021 418 3823 (aquarium)
Website: www.waterfront.co.za
Transport: A Waterfront bus service links the Waterfront to the city centre and the Atlantic Seaboard. Buses from the Victoria & Alfred Hotel travel to Adderley Street in the city centre, while buses from Breakwater Boulevard outside Victoria Wharf travel as far and the Peninsula Hotel in Sea Point
Opening times: Aquarium: daily 9.30am to 6pm

Bayworld
Port Elizabeth's most popular attraction consists of a complex on the beachfront that includes the Oceanarium, a museum, and a snake park. The Bayworld Oceanarium is famed for its performing Bottlenose dolphin shows, enjoyed by thousands every year. Besides the large dolphin pool with its underwater viewing area, the oceanarium also features an aquarium tank where visitors can watch a vast array of marine life through glass portholes as they glide by, including sharks, turtles and rays. The snake park contains an impressive variety of indigenous reptiles in natural-looking enclosures.

The PE Museum focuses on cultural and natural history with a wide variety of exhibits, from models of sailing ships and period costumes to giant replicas of dinosaurs that roamed the area in prehistoric times; it is the third-oldest museum in the country.
Telephone: 041 584 0650
Website: www.bayworld.co.za
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Opening times: Museum, Oceanarium and Snake Park: daily 9am to 4.30pm, dolphin and seal shows are twice daily at 11am and 3pm

. Market Square
Port Elizabeth's architectural heritage can be traced by taking a walk around the central city Market Square, which features several historic buildings. The centrepiece of the square is the aesthetically pleasing City Hall, dating from 1858, topped with an attractive clock tower. Also in the square is a replica of the Diaz Cross that commemorates the first European to set foot in Algoa Bay in 1488, when Portuguese explorer Bartholomew Diaz stopped over on his way east. Alongside the city hall is the Prester John Memorial, dedicated to the Portuguese explorers who landed in South Africa. On the northwest flank of the square is the city's public library, built in 1835 and originally used as a courthouse. The beautiful building is regarded as an excellent example of Victorian Gothic architecture and is interesting in that its façade was manufactured in England and shipped to Port Elizabeth to be recreated piece by piece. In front of the library stands a marble statue of Queen Victoria, which was unveiled in 1903. Slightly downhill from the square, at the entrance to the harbour, stands the Campanile, containing the biggest carillon of bells (23) in the country. Visitors can climb 204 steps to enjoy the view from the top of this monument, which commemorates the landing of the 1820 settlers.
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Donkin Reserve
On a hill above the centre of the city stands a stone pyramid monument with an adjacent lighthouse. The open public space was proclaimed in perpetuity by Sir Rufane Donkin, acting British Governor of the Cape, when the 1820 Settlers arrived in Algoa Bay. Donkin named the new settlement after his wife, Elizabeth, who had died in India two years' previously, and erected the pyramid in her memory. The lighthouse was built in 1861, and today houses the city's Tourist Information Centre. Maps are available from the centre describing a three-mile (five km) discovery trail through the hill area and central city, taking in 47 historic sites and architectural delights.
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St George's Park
St George's Park has been a recreational centre for the city for more than 150 years, boasting well-landscaped gardens covering 73 hectares. On site is the world famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club, scene of many an exciting test match series, and the oldest bowling green in South Africa.

The park also features the 1882 Edwardian Pearson Conservatory, a national monument filled with orchids, water lilies and other exotic plants. Every second Sunday of the month the park plays host to a vibrant arts and crafts fair. The other major park in Port Elizabeth is Settler's Park, set in the Baakens River valley, which boasts indigenous flora and fauna and offers a delightful stroll along the riverbank.
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. Francis Farewell Square
This historic square in the middle of Durban is the spot where the city originated as a tiny settlement of itinerant traders and hunters in the early 19th century. It is named for Henry Francis Flynn, one of the prominent inhabitants of the time. Around the square are some interesting sights, particularly the 1910 City Hall on the south side, which is an exact replica of the City Hall of Belfast, Ireland. On the first floor of the City Hall is the Natural Science Museum with an interesting insect section; on the first floor is the renowned Durban Art Gallery. Various musical, song and dance performances are held on the City Hall steps every Wednesday at 1pm. Alongside the City Hall is Durban's local history museum housed in the Old Court House, which was the first public building ever erected in Durban, in 1866.
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uShaka Marine World
In January 2004 Sea World closed its doors to the public and reopened as uShaka Marine World, which has become the largest marine theme park in Africa. The park is tastefully themed with African imagery and has five zones offering entertainment, dining, a retail village, water slides and access to uShaka Beach. The Sea World zone incorporates an aquarium, dolphinarium, a seal pool and penguin rookery, as well as interactive activities in the dive tank, snorkel reef and touch pool, while Wet 'n Wild offers heart-stopping, adrenalin-pumping rides as well as water-based activities for the less adventurous.
Telephone: 031 328 8000
Website: www.ushakamarineworld.co.za
Transport: Marine World is on the main Point Road bus route and is serviced by Greenline and Mynah buses
Opening times: Sea World: Daily 9am to 6pm, Island activities closed Mondays. Wet 'n Wild: Wednesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm. Open daily on public holidays and during government school holidays

KwaMuhle Museum
The notorious building that was once the 'Department of Native Affairs' where every black South African in Natal was required to register in the days of Apartheid, now houses a museum dedicated to tracing the history of racial laws in Durban, including memorable video and photographic exhibits. Despite this the building is known to all as KwaMuhle, meaning 'place of the good one', the name honouring a white man who ran the department but did his best to fight the system within its constraints.
Telephone: 031 311 2223
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Opening times: Monday to Saturday 8.30am to 4pm; Sundays and public holidays 11am to 4pm

Juma Masjid Mosque
The magnificent Juma Masjid Mosque, the largest mosque in the Southern hemisphere, dominates Durban's central Indian district. It's gilt-domed minarets tower over the bustling commercial area, but inside the marbled worship hall is peaceful and boasts a simple elegance. Tours of the mosque can be arranged. Around the mosque, on Grey Street, are several Indian food outlets, most offering the uniquely Durban 'bunnychow' (half a loaf of bread scooped out and filled with curry). Off of Grey Street is the Madressa Arcade bazaar. Also in the area is the brightly painted Victoria Street Market (on the corner of Queen and Russell streets) offering incense, henna tattoos, spices and other exotic goods.
Telephone: 031 304 1518
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Opening times: Weekdays 9am to 4pm and Saturday mornings. Tours are recommended

Durban Botanic Gardens
Durban's botanical gardens are renowned for having the finest collection of plantlife anywhere in Africa. Established in 1851 the gardens, on Sydenham Hill Road west of the Greyville Race Track, are the city's oldest natural attraction, providing a relaxing spot to stroll among huge indigenous and exotic trees, and the stunning orchid house display. The gardens are also abuzz with birdlife and boast a lovely tea garden.
Telephone: 031 2011 303 or 031 309 1170 (tour bookings)
Website: www.durbanbotanicgardens.org.za
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Opening times: Daily 7.30am to 5.45pm. 5.15pm in winter

The BAT Centre
On the Victoria Embankment beside the Durban harbour is a haven for traditional artists known as the BAT Centre (an acronym for Bartle Arts Trust). The centre features an enormous studio where artists work, a theatre, exhibition galleries and a restaurant serving authentic African dishes. There are stunning views of the harbour from the restaurant deck. Nearby is the Maritime Museum, which details the history of the harbour and houses a restored tugboat and other interesting exhibits.
Telephone: 031 332 0451
Website: www.batcentre.co.za
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Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; Saturday 10am to 2pm

Gold Reef City
This entertainment complex is essentially a theme park full of thrill rides, but was designed to be a re-creation of Victorian Johannesburg during the gold-rush era. The park, four miles (6km) south of the city centre via the M1 motorway, was built around the No.14 Crown mineshaft that began operations in 1887 and closed in 1975. During its production years 1,400 tons of gold came out of the shaft. Visitors can now descend into the old mine shaft to experience life at the rock face, and watch gold being poured and minted. Gold Reef City also houses a number of museums, and offers performances by traditional gumboot dancers. Youngsters particularly enjoy the rides like the Anaconda roller coaster and Thunder Mountain River Rapids. There are also plenty of restaurants, bars, a massive casino, and a Victorian hotel for those wanting to stay the night.
Telephone: 011 248 6800
Website: www.goldreefcity.co.za
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Opening times: Theme park: Tuesday to Sunday 9.30am to 5pm; open daily during Gauteng school holidays; closed on Christmas day

. Newtown Cultural Precinct
This complex of buildings in the city centre has been upgraded and restored as part of the city fathers' urban renewal policy and provides several attractions. The Market Theatre and Museum Africa, for instance are housed in a Victorian building in Bree Street that was originally Johannesburg's fresh produce market. The Museum of Africa is particularly worth a visit with its exhibits that tell the story of the city from its beginnings to the present day, including an interesting section about the Treason Trial of the 1950s in which Nelson Mandela and other activists were accused of plotting against the state. The same building houses a photography museum and the Museum of South African Rock Art. At its eastern end is the Market Theatre, famed for being the venue for many protest theatre productions in the Apartheid era. Also in the area, in President Street, is the South African Breweries Centre, which offers a tour detailing brewing history through some reconstructed gold-rush pubs and shebeens (township bars). Along Jeppe Street is the Oriental Plaza, the commercial centre for the Indian community.
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Opening times: Museum Africa open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm

Johannesburg Zoo
The Johannesburg Zoo is a favourite place for locals to take a stroll among the numerous enclosures that house more than 3,000 species of animal, including polar bears that can be viewed underwater in their pool. Of course the Big Five are all in residence too. A tractor-tram does circuits of the zoo for those who don't fancy walking. On the eastern edge of the zoo is the Museum of Military History, which has some interesting exhibits like tanks, fighter aircraft and submarines.
Telephone: 011 646 2000
Website: www.jhbzoo.org.za
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Opening times: Zoo open daily 8.30am to 5.30pm

Lowveld National Botanical Garden
Covering 393 acres (159 hectares) on the banks of the Crocodile River at Nelspruit, the Lowveld Botanic Gardens has the largest collection of cycads in the world and the biggest assortment of indigenous trees in South Africa, totalling 650 of the 1,000 known species. The gardens have 600 plant and 245 bird species occurring naturally on its turf, but about 2,000 more plant species have been added to this collection making this haven a feast for botanists. A two-hour trail meanders along the Crocodile River banks and passes three waterfalls.
Telephone: 013 752 5531
Website: www.sanbi.org/lowveld/mainpage.htm
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Opening times: Daily 8am to 6pm (September to March)and until 5pm from April to August

Bo-Kaap
Bo-Kaap, or the old Malay Quarter, was declared an exclusive residential area for the Muslim Cape Malays under the Group Areas Act of 1950 during the Apartheid years, forcing people of other religions and ethnicity to leave, and today is still closely associated with the Muslim community. The houses have been restored and colourfully painted, and the steep cobbled streets, mosques, minarets and blend of Cape Dutch and Edwardian architecture make it one of the most interesting historical and cultural areas of the city. The Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street documents the history of the Cape Malays Tel: (021) 481 3939.
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Website: www.iziko.org.za/bokaap
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Spier Wine Estate
Not only one of South Africa's most famous and most popular wine estates, historic Spier is also an internationally renowned cultural resort that offers luxurious accommodation, conference facilities, shopping, fine dining, and a variety of recreational activities, including golf, horse riding, picnics, and a cheetah park. An outdoor amphitheatre traditionally presents a variety of music, theatre and dance during the Spier Summer Arts Season that also seeks to promote, showcase and develop emerging South African talent.

Situated in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands region, Spier also boasts world-class wines in what is the oldest working cellar in South Africa, and together with its other facilities, is the most unique development in the wine world.
Telephone: 021 809 1100
Website: www.spier.co.za
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. Oom Samie se Winkel (Uncle Sam's shop)
This famous Stellenbosch institution is a shop set back in time, where a huge variety of interesting products can be purchased from shelves crammed with sweets, dried fish, wine, clothing and tobacco. It is well worth a look, if not to buy anything, then to experience how locals traded 200 years ago.
Telephone: 021 887 0797
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Huguenot Monument and Museum
A major tourist attraction in the Franschhoek valley, the historic Huguenot Monument was erected in 1938 to remember and honour the French Huguenots who arrived in South Africa in 1688 after fleeing persecution in their home country. The nearby museum documents the history of the settlers, from their flight from France to their arrival and successful establishment of the Franschhoek wine region in the Cape of Good Hope. The museum contains a variety of Bibles, documents, furniture, utensils and artefacts, which illustrate the life of the Huguenots in the Cape.
Telephone: 021 876 2532
Website: www.museum.co.za
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Opening times: Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm, Sunday 2pm to 5pm

Afrikaanse Taalmonument (Afrikaans Language Monument) and Museum
The Afrikaans Language Museum pays tribute to a unique language that is only 300 years old, created from the melting pot of nationalities and languages in the Cape. The Dutch settlers, French Huguenots, slaves from Malaysia, Indonesia, Madagascar and West Africa and the local Khoi people all needed to communicate, and so was born the language that could be used by all. The struggle to gain recognition of Afrikaans as an official language was carried out from Paarl, and the museum commemorates the people that played an important role in the process, as well as exploring the language in its diversity and learning about the people who speak it today. Conspicuously absent from the material is the integral role Afrikaans played as the language of the Apartheid oppressors. The Language Monument on Paarl Mountain was erected in 1975 to honour the Afrikaans language and is the only language monument in the world. The supposed contribution to Afrikaans from the Western world, as well as from Africa, are represented by the three linked columns and three rounded shapes respectively, while the 187-foot (57m) pillar symbolises the growth of the language.
Telephone: 021 872 3441
Website: www.taalmuseum.co.za
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Opening times: Museum: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday 9am to 1pm. Monument: Daily 8.15am to 5pm

Blood River/Ncome Heritage Site
Following the treacherous murder of Piet Retief and his men at the hands of Dingaan, the Zulu chief, the Voortrekkers, led by Andries Pretorius, prepared for battle against the Zulu kingdom on the banks of the Ncome River on 16 December 1838. They formed an impenetrable laager (a defensive camp encircled with their ox-wagons) and fought the 15,000-strong impi attack until the Zulus finally fled, leaving thousands dead and the river red with blood. The violent encounter became known as the Battle of Blood River. The Blood River/Ncome Heritage Site commemorates this significant battle with monuments and museums to both the Voortrekkers and the Zulus on either side of the river, so giving the visitor a more complete perspective of events. On one side is the Ncome Monument and Museum Complex, dedicated to the fallen Zulu warriors, while the Blood River Monument and Museum is located on the west bank and features a life-size replica of the Boer wagon laager.
Telephone: 034 271 8121
Website: www.ncomemuseum.co.za or www.voortrekkermon.org.za
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Opening times: Ncome Monument and Museum, daily from 9am to 4pm. Voortrekker Monument daily from 8am to 5pm/6pm in Summer

. Isandlwana Hill
The battle at Isandlwana Hill on 22 January 1879 stunned the British Empire in what was to be the worst defeat in the history of their imperial warfare. The news that an entire battalion of British troops had been wiped out by a 'native' army was unbelievable. The Zulu kingdom, under the leadership of King Cetshwayo, had been gaining strength and was perceived to be a threat to the British colonists, refusing to submit to British rule. British troops were ordered to invade Zululand, but grossly underestimated the Zulu warriors, and the surprise attack on the British camp on the slopes of Isandlwana Hill left thousands dead. Today the battlefield is dotted with memorials, and mounds of white stones that mark the British mass graves.
Telephone: 034 271 0634
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Opening times: Daily 8am to 5pm

Rorke's Drift
Fought on the same day as the nearby battle at Isandlwana Hill, the Battle of Rorke's Drift is remembered as one of the most famous sieges of the Anglo-Zulu War. Survivors from Isandlwana fled to the Swedish mission station that was used as a British field hospital and storehouse, and sounded the alarm. Inside, the 139 men, many of them seriously ill or wounded, barricaded themselves in and prepared for the onslaught of 4,000 Zulu warriors. The Battle Museum dramatically tells the tale of the 'Heroic Hundred' who desperately defended the station for 12 hours, until the Zulus finally retreated with a heavy loss of life.

Eleven Victoria Crosses were awarded to the defenders, the most ever given at any other battle in British history.
Telephone: 034 642 1687
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Opening times: Daily 8am to 5pm

. Ladysmith Siege Museum
During the Anglo-Boer War, Ladysmith was besieged for 118 days, when thousands died, either during battle, or from the lack of food and water. The museum is considered to be one of the best Anglo-Boer War museums in the country, with a collection of artefacts, documents, firearms and uniforms on display, as well as a series of excellent photographs, which vividly tells the story of the siege of Ladysmith that involved numerous battles between the Boer and British forces.
Telephone: 036 637 2992
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Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, Saturday until 1pm, Sundays by appointment only

Stellenbosch
At the heart of the wine industry is the pretty town of Stellenbosch, the second oldest town in South Africa and regarded as the wine capital of the country with over 110 cellars in the area. The Stellenbosch vineyards were established by the Dutch governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, who arrived in 1679 and noted that the combination of rich soil and ideal climate were perfect for viticulture. In 1971 the first wine route in South Africa was opened, and today the Stellenbosch wine route is perhaps the best known and finest that the country has to offer, producing award winning wines from estates such as Morgenhof, Kanonkop, Warwick and Zewenwacht. Spier Estate is renowned as a unique cultural resort that is famous for its Summer Arts Festival, and boasts the oldest working wine cellar in the country. Stellenbosch is also steeped in South African history and Afrikaans culture and was settled by the Dutch East India Company to produce food for passing ships. Old oak trees line the streets where Cape Dutch architecture, museums and national art collections are a reminder of the town's heritage. The town also boasts the world's only Afrikaans university, a premier educational institute, which has produced many great sporting heroes, including more than 155 Springbok rugby players.
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Website: www.stellenbosch.org.za
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Constantia
Constantia is the origin of wine production in South Africa, and one of Cape Town's most exclusive suburbs. The Constantia wine route is the oldest yet smallest wine route in the Cape, consisting of just five wine farms that concentrate on producing few wines of international quality. The historic Cape Dutch homestead at Groot Constantia is on the oldest wine estate in South Africa, home to the first governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, and the valley's most recognised wine farm.

The house itself is furnished with items from the period while an adjacent wine museum exhibits drinking and storage vessels in glass, silver, copper and stoneware dating from 500BC to the 19th century. Between the estates of Klein and Groot Constantia, Steenberg, Buitenverwachting and Constantia Uitsig, visitors will also find some of the most highly acclaimed restaurants in the country.
Telephone: 021 795 5140
Website: www.constantiawineroute.co.za
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Opening times: Groot Constantia opens daily, museum open 10am to 5pm

. Franschhoek
Fleeing religious persecution in France in the 1700s, more than 200 French Huguenots arrived in the Cape and were settled in the valley that soon became known as Franschhoek (French Corner), which is today situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands region. Many of the settlers were experienced wine producers and they soon recognised the potential of the region for wine and fruit production, establishing wine estates throughout the spectacular Franschhoek Valley in surroundings of magnificent scenery and towering mountains. Today the town is famous not only for its splendid wines and beautiful vistas, but also as the gourmet capital of South Africa, boasting the highest number of award-winning eateries in the country. Restaurants such as Le Quartier Français, La Petite Ferme, Haute Cabriere and Boschendal are among those that are internationally acclaimed and some of the top restaurants in South Africa. The Huguenots did not only bring their viticulture and French culinary flair however, they also left behind a rich legacy of arts, architecture and hospitality, which are still visible today.
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Website: www.franschhoek.org.za
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Paarl
Situated at the foot of the second-largest granite outcrop in the world, the town of Paarl in the picturesque Berg River Valley is the biggest town in the Cape Winelands, and features some of the most superb examples of Cape Dutch, Victorian, Edwardian and Art Deco architecture. It has a rich history, boasting the Drakenstein Prison where Nelson Mandela spent his last years in captivity, and overlooking the town from the slopes of the Paarl Mountain is the Language Monument, which symbolises the birth of the Afrikaans language. Along with its historical background, Paarl is also known for its award-winning wines, particularly its reds, which can be sampled along the world's first 'Red Route'. Paarl's wine route includes over 40 cellars, among them Nederburg and KWV, and many of them also make a variety of delicious cheeses.
Telephone:
Website: www.paarlonline.com
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Mossel Bay
The rather industrialised town of Mossel Bay, about 250 miles (400km) east of Cape Town, is traditionally regarded as the gateway to the Garden Route and is famed for being the spot where the first European set foot in South Africa. The Portuguese explorer, Bartholomew Dias, came ashore here seeking water after battling a fearsome storm at sea in 1488. The town now commemorates this event with the Bartholomew Dias Museum complex in Market Street, which houses a Maritime Museum and a life-sized replica of the caravel in which Dias sailed. Mossel Bay has some good beaches and all the trappings of a seaside holiday town, with cruises available from the small harbour to view seals, whales and dolphins, and shark cage-diving adventures. The nearby village of Albertinia sports the only Aloe factory in South Africa, and visitors can call in to sample medicinal and skincare products made from this indigenous plant.
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Website: www.mosselbay.net
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. Wilderness
The village of Wilderness, set on the Touws River estuary, is fast developing with a plethora of luxury holiday homes lining the cliffs and hills along the long sandy beach and river. It is, however, a pretty spot surrounded by a chain of fresh-water lakes, and encompassing the Wilderness National Park with about nine miles (15km) of inland waterways. There are some wonderful hiking trails and canoe trips offered through the Park wardens, and numerous accommodation facilities are available.
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Two Oceans Aquarium
The Cape sits at the meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, and over 3,000 sea animals from both oceans are showcased in the aquarium, highlighting the diversity of marine life found in the waters around Cape Town. The Two Oceans Aquarium is one of the city's top attractions and visitors of all ages will be fascinated by the variety of exhibits, such as the Predator Exhibit, featuring large sharks and rays, a kelp forest, and animals such as seals, penguins and turtles among thousands of different fish. It is also possible to dive with the ragged-tooth sharks, or in the kelp forest while feeding hundreds of fish, but advanced booking is required and divers must present dive qualifications.
Telephone: 021 418 3823
Website: www.aquarium.co.za
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Opening times: Daily 9.30am to 6pm

SAB World of Beer
SABMiller started in South Africa and has expanded to become one of the world's largest brewers of beer. The World of Beer offers a fun short tour, which summarises the history of the company, beer in general and details the brewing process. Afterwards visitors can enjoy a draught or two on the house in the resident pub.
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Website: www.worldofbeer.co.za
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Opening times: Tuesdays – Saturdays. From 10am, last tour at 5pm.

Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens
Not known for being an especially green city, this oasis in the west side of Johannesburg covers 741 acres (300ha), offering lush gardens and scenic hiking trails. The gardens are a terrific place for bird watching (over 200 species) and garden-enthusiasts interested in seeing a variety of flora and fauna (over 600 species). After a walk or hike, it is common practice to enjoy a picnic on the lawns at the foot of the breathtaking Witpoortjie waterfall.
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Opening times: Daily, 8am to 6pm, no entry after 5pm

Melville
This trendy suburb is a hive of activity on any given night of the week; it is the place to go out and carouse. Anything from hip and upmarket to just plain odd coffee shops, bars and dance venues throng the streets. Partygoers barhop on foot well into the small hours.
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The Apartheid Museum
South Africa's history of black oppression is chronicled in this building, situated near Gold Reef City. Relics of the Apartheid system, which banned non-whites from certain areas and from receiving an education, as well as forbidding interracial relationships, can be found here, right down to a bench marked for 'Whites Only'. Visitors often describe the experience of the Apartheid Museum as 'heart wrenching', but at the same time find the story of the struggle over adversity inspirational.
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Website: www.apartheidmuseum.org
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Opening times: Tuesday to Sundays, 10am to 5pm

Constitution Hill
A guided tour of the National Heritage Site of Constitution Hill takes visitors on a journey through South Africa's turbulent past, but also illustrates its incredible transition into democracy. Visitors are guided through the Old Fort Prison Complex where the peeling walls and rusty barred cells have many a story to tell of South Africa's past 100 years; from British soldiers in the Anglo Boer War and rebellious youths caught in the Soweto uprising to Nelson Mandela, Joe Slovo and infamous murderess Daisy de Melker.

The tour concludes with a look at South Africa's Constitutional Court, the keeper of the basic rights and freedom that those imprisoned here had struggled to win.
Telephone: 011 381 3100
Website: www.constitutionhill.org.za
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Opening times: Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm (last tour at 4pm); Saturday 10am – 3pm. Closed Sunday

. Hector Pieterson Memorial site and Museum
Hector Pieterson became the iconic image of the 1976 Soweto uprising during apartheid South Africa, when a news photograph of the dying Hector being carried by a fellow student was published across the globe. He was just 12 years old when the police, unprovoked, opened fire on school children who had gathered to protest the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in township schools. The museum fuses memorabilia with modern technology and cultural history and is located two blocks away from where Hector was killed. In 2007 Hector's sister Antoinette, who is seen in the famous photograph holding her hands held out in panic, was working at the museum as a tour guide and today 16 June is a public holiday named National Youth Day to honour young people.
Telephone: (011) 536 0611
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Opening times: Monday to Saturday from 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am-4:30pm

Cradle of Humankind and Maropeng Visitor Centre
The Cradle of Humankind is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains a complex of dolimitic limestone caves, including the Sterkfontein Caves, where the fossil, Australopithecus africanus (nicknamed Mrs. Ples) was found in 1947 by Dr Robert Broom and John Robinson. 'Mrs Ples' is estimated to be between 2.6 and 2.8 million years old and ranks high on the long list of australopithecine discoveries for which Sterkfontein is now famous. At present only the Sterkfontein Caves and the Wonder Cave are open to the public. The Maropeng Visitor Centre is a stirring, world-class exhibition space, focusing on the development of humans and our ancestors and evolution over the past few million years.
Telephone: 011 956 6342 (Sterkfontein Cave); 011 957 0106 (Wonder Cave)
Website: www.maropeng.co.za
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Opening times: Daily from 9am to 5pm

Ratanga Junction
Cape Town's most famous theme park, Ratanga Junction is a must for all those up for a thrilling day out in the sun with plenty of rides and activities to keep even the most active of children occupied. The park features gift shops and a food hall for weary riders, or those just looking to rest their legs for a while. The most popular ride by far is the Cobra, a snake like rollercoaster ride that flips the occupants round 360 degrees.
Telephone: 021 550 8504
Website: www.ratanga.co.za
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Opening times: Open from 10am – 5pm (25 June - 19 July and 23 September to 4 October 2009)

Butterfly World
Butterfly World is one of Cape Town's more unique attractions. The tropical greenhouse features hundreds of exotic butterflies flying freely. Visitors are urged not to touch them, but the humid environment makes the perfect butterfly watching setting. Butterfly World also features a Spider Room where exotic spiders and scorpions can be viewed in their glass terrarias. There is a small gift shop tearoom for those wanting to take a break from all the invertebrate antics.
Telephone: 021 875 5628
Website: www.butterflyworld.co.za
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Opening times: Open daily from 9am to 5pm. Closed Christmas Day

Scratch Patch
An amazing place for kids to learn about the wonders of precious stones, minerals and gems, the Scratch Patch gives children a little piece of what they have learnt to take home with them. And children love nothing more than little gifts! They will be able to scratch around in a pit of off-cuts of precious stones, such as Tiger's Eye, Jasper, Amethyst, and Rose Quartz, to name a few and for small price, of course.
Telephone: 021 786 2020
Website: www.scratchpatch.co.za
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Opening times: Open Monday to Friday from 8:30am - 4:45pm; Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays from 9am - 5:30pm

World of Birds and Monkey Park
Boasting over 400 different species of birds and a wide variety of other animals including squirrel monkeys and meerkats, the World of Birds features a children's play area and a tearoom for the parents to stop and take a break. Children will love exploring the grounds and discovering and learning about all the birds and animals here.
Telephone: 021 790 2730
Website: www.worldofbirds.org.za
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Opening times: Open daily from 9am to 5pm

Seal Island
Take a trip to Seal Island, also known as Duiker Island, located just outside of Hout Bay. Boats leave regularly from Hout Bay docks and take passengers on a trip outside the harbour and into the ocean, where breathtaking views of can be enjoyed of Hout Bay and all the way across to Noordhoek, Chapman's Peak and Kommetjie. The boat stops just below the Hout Bay Sentinal where hundreds of Cape Fur Seals bask on the small island in the sun. The sight is a smelly, yet magical one and it is a treat these creatures in their natural habitat.
Telephone: 021 791 4441
Website: www.drumbeatcharters.co.za
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Opening times: Operates daily from 8.30am 08h30, 09h15, 10h00, 10h45

Union Buildings
Designed by renowned South African architect, Sir Herbert Baker, the Union Buildings are located on Meintjieskop hill, a sentinel overlooking the city of Pretoria. The official seat of the government and housing the offices of the South African President and other government officials, the Union Buildings are a South African Monument and have seen such icons at former South African president, Nelson Mandela, inaugurated here. With spectacular terraced gardens full of indigenous flora, the Union Buildings are not only historically important, but also magnificently beautiful.
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National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
Commonly known as the Pretoria Zoo, the National Zoological Gardens on South Africa is regarded as one of the leading zoos in the world. Featuring a zoo, an aquarium and a reptile park, the Pretoria Zoo boasts 209 mammal species, 202 bird species, 190 fish species, four invertebrate species and 93 reptile species. There is even a Zoo Choo-Choo Tractor Train for the kids to enjoy, cableway, a picnic area with barbeque facilities, a cafeteria and a souvenir shop.
Telephone: (012) 328 3265
Website: www.nzg.ac.za
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Opening times: Open daily from 8.30 - 5.30pm. Last tickets sold at 4.30pm

Loftus Versfeld Stadium
A shrine to Pretoria's Afrkiaaners, the Loftus Versfeld Stadium seats over 50,000 people and will be one of the stadiums hosting matches in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The land on which the stadium was built was first used for sporting events in 1903 and is named after Robert Owen Loftus Versfeld, who is attributed with establishing organised sport in Pretoria. Loftus Versfeld stadium is home to the local team, the Blue Bulls and has hosted numerous sporting events such as the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the 1996 CAF Africa Cup of Nations.
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Kruger House Museum
The former residence of Boer leader and President of the Republic of South Africa, Paul Kruger, is now the Kruger House Museum. Built in 1884, the house was the last one in which President Kruger would live, between 1883 and 1901, before leaving South Africa to go into exile in Europe. The house contains original furnishings and items from that historical period as well as many gifts that were presented to Kruger, such as the lion statues on the veranda, as well as other memorabilia.
Telephone: (012) 326 9172
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Opening times: Open Monday to Friday from 8.30am – 5.30pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 8.30am – 5pm

Pretoria National Botanical Garden
Featuring indigenous plants and flowers from all over South Africa, the Pretoria National Botanical Garden bridges the gap between scientific research and recreational environment. The garden is home to over 198 bird species, a few reptiles and even small mammals, such as the duiker, a small type of buck. A great place for a relaxing walk or picnic, the gardens also feature Mokha Restaurant which overlooks a small wetland.
Telephone: (012) 843 5194
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Opening times: Open daily from 8am – 6pm

President Brand Street
Declared a national conservation area, and home to a number of monuments and buildings of historical value, President Brand Street is one of Bloemfontein's most renown attractions. This stately street is the address of the South African Court of Appeal, Fourth Raadsaal, City Hall and the Supreme Court of South Africa. See the original transcript of Die Stem at the National Afrikaans Literature Museum, or visit the equally cultural National Music Museum.
Telephone: National Music Museum (0)51 405 4013; National Afrikaans Literature Museum (0)51 405 4713
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Oliewenhuis Art Gallery
From its distinguished setting in a Cape Dutch mansion, the Oliewenhuis Art Gallery is a Bloemfontein attraction featuring an expansive display of South African art. Contemporary paintings and sculptures are exhibited here, as well as acclaimed masterpieces from days gone by. The gallery also has a café and outdoor sculpture park for visitors to enjoy.
Telephone: (0)51 447 9609
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Opening times: 8am to 5pm (Monday to Friday), 10am to 5pm (Saturday), 1pm to 5pm (Sunday)

King's Park
Opened by the Prince of Wales in 1925, King's Park remains a wonderful attraction for Bloemfontein visitors. This park boasts over 4,000 beautiful rose bushes, and is also home to the Bloemfontein Zoo and its 'liger' (an African lion crossed with a Bengal tiger). There is an arts and crafts market at King's Park on the first Saturday of each month, another must for visitors.
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Opening times: The park is open 8am to 5pm daily

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