There are many lovely soft white sand beaches close to Cape Town. All are very beautiful, as they are unspoilt and close to attractive mountains. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a fabulous botanical garden set against the slopes of Table Mountain where you can see some of the thousands of plant species which make the Cape Peninsula one of the world's six floral kingdoms. This page will tell you a little more about the most established wine growing area, known as The Winelands . Cape Town and surrounding areas have some excellent land-based whale watching spots, from where you might see enormous whales jumping into the air and landing with a giant splash.
Townships are where the poorer people of Cape Town live.
Despite bad conditions, you will find the people here very friendly and warm and encounter great cultural vibrancy. The Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town is an intriguing historical area of the Cape Muslims, with pretty cobbled streets, Victorian architecture, colourful mosques and beautiful views over the mountain and sea. For some of the many things that you can do while you are in Cape Town, have a look at our page on Tours and Activities . Although Cape Town has the greatest variety of places to visit in the country, Southern Africa offers a remarkable range of attractions, from the Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls. We now offer Executive Homestay, a luxurious, affordable and educational alternative to expensive hotels.