Green GUIDE: cape town & western cape - Ecophiles

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CAPE POINT. ALL PHOTOS: SOUTH AFRICA TOURISM

GREEN GUIDE: CAPE TOWN & WESTERN CAPE Cape Town: South Africa's iconic city is a vibrant cultural melting pot and one of the most visited cities in the country. From its most recognisable landmark, the Table Mountain, to its pristine coastline, the dynamic city places strong emphasis on sustainability practices. Catch all the buzz in Cape Town from its nightlife to wildlife, sample its food and wine, get the adrenaline going with its adventure sports options or try family-friendly lazy days on the coast. Cape Town was also recognised as “Best Destination” in the 2009 World Responsible Tourism Awards. Western Cape Provinces: Cape Town is a good base to explore Cape Karoo, the wine farms in the Cape Winelands, the fishing villages on the Cape West Coast, the markets in Cape Overberg and the green Garden Route & Klein Karoo.

GO SEE The Big Six: Starting off with iconic landmarks is a great introduction to Cape Town. The V&A Waterfront, Cape Town's charming historical harbour is situated at the foot of Table Mountain and offers ocean vistas and mountain views. Table Mountain Aerial Cableway for epic views of Cape Town: Table Mountain's flat top peak reaches 1,086 m above sea level and the national park's most unique feature is its fynbos vegetation and over 70 per cent of the flowers are endemic to the Table Mountain. The park is home to caracals, rock hyraxes or chacma baboons and penguins flock at the Boulders.

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Kirstenbosch Garden, acclaimed as one of the great botanic gardens of the world, is recognised for its responsible ecological practices. The 36hectare garden, part of a 528 hectare estate, lies in the heart of the Cape Floristic Region, also known as the Cape Floral Kingdom. In 2004 the Cape Floristic Region, including Kirstenbosch, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cape Point lies at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, 60-kms southwest of Cape Town. A nature reserve within the Table Mountain National Park, Cape Point was declared a World Heritage Site. Rugged rocks, sheer cliffs, diverse flora and fauna and its rich marine history makes this a must-visit for nature lovers.

V&A WATERFRONT

Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, has a complex, sensitive ecosystem. The protected nature conservation area is designated a World Heritage Site. Groot Constantia is South Africa’s oldest wine estate and wine has been produced here without interruption since 1685. Groot Constantia is also a member of the Biodiversity in Wine Initiative. Wild Flower Display: Cape West Coast's annual wild flower display, held between mid-August and mid-September, is when the region bursts into a kaleidoscope of colour. Karoo National Park, Cape Karoo: See the Kgalagadi lion, known for their impressive dark brown manes here. Karoo National Park is dominated by the lofty Nuweveld Mountains and rolling plains. Cape Garden Route and Klein Karoo: The area between Stilbaai and Tsitsikamma is called ‘The Garden Route', which is rich in culture, natural beauty, adventure, fauna and flora. Near Nature’s Valley, find Bloukrans Bridge - the world’s highest commercial bungee jumping spot!

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GO PLAY Whale watching: Hermanus (The Whale Capital), 120 km from Cape Town in Cape Overberg, is home to the only whale crier in the world! Spot enormous whales here and explore the Hermanus Wine Route. The coast is brilliant for diving, hiking, cycling, boating, bird-watching, paragliding and mountain biking. Whales are most easily seen from raised roads around the Cape Peninsula or from boats. Most commonly seen from shore are southern right whales (between June and November). Humpback whales (June/July and on return to their feeding grounds in September). There are a small number of permit holders for licensed boat-based whale-watching in Cape Town. Hiking: In Cape Overberg, the Stanford Walking Trail or “Wandelpad” winds its way along the banks of the Klein River. Spot the Blue Crane, Fish Eagle or majestic Cape Eagle Owl. Also, check out the Ouderbosch to Leopard's Gorge Hiking Trail. The 6-km route in Harold Porter Reserve has great views of the coastline, shale forests and sandstone formations. The trail is limited to 12 hikers and starts from the Ouderbosch in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve 5km from Kleinmond. Climbing in Cape Karoo: The highest mountain peak, Seweweekspoort, in the Western Cape is in the Laingsburg district. It is a climb surrounded by koppies (small hills) and semi-desert landscapes. A 17 km-road winds through breathtaking scenery. Mysterious Ghost Trail: The two-hour hiking trail takes in many shipwrecks along the Cape Whale Coast and it’s believed that there are two ghosts at large! A young lady who survived a shipwreck and later lived in one of the limestone caves (believed to have the voice of an angel) and a sailor that lost his life. They still roam the area today… Blue Flag Beaches: Cape Town’s 307 km coastline extends along the West Coast, around the Cape Peninsula, and beyond False Bay to the Kogelberg coast in the east. Cape Town received full blue flag status for eight beaches: Bikini Beach (the bikinis worn by female students from nearby University of Stellenbosch may have something to do with it), Mnandi, Strandfontein, Muizenberg, Camps Bay, Clifton 4th Beach (one of South Africa's most popular beaches visited by stars), Llandudno - situated between Camps Bay and Hout Bay and Silwerstroomstrand. Silwerstroomstrand is a coastal resort on the West Coast, at the southern edge of an immense bay.

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Kitesurfing: Cape Town & the Western Cape is known as the “Mecca” for kitesurfers. Kitesurfing is a combination of paragliding, wake boarding, wind surfing, surfing and gymnastics. The Western Cape offers a variety of conditions for kitesurfers (best from October to April). The best kitesurfing spots are Langebaan, Melkbosstrand, Blouberg, Big Bay, Kite Beach, Muizenberg, Witsand, Struisbaai, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay. Township Bicycle Tour, Cape Town: Explore the streets of Cape Town’s vibrant townships like Masiphumelele, Langa, Imizamo Yethu or Gugulethu by going on a bicycle tour. Ziplining, Cape Town: This experience from SA Forest Adventures is offers a 2.3km slide from platform to platform above the trees.

GO MEET Cape Town Carnival: Celebrates African identity and diverse communities and cultures. At Green Point Stadium, enjoy the parade of costumed performers and spectacular floats. This year it will be held on March 12, 2016. Give A Day Global, Cape Town: Make your holiday more meaningful by volunteering for a day with the Give a Day Global project. Volunteer for Baphumelele in Khayelitsha township, 20 miles Southeast of Cape Town. Play or read books with the children in the preschool/kindergarten, help care for and comfort patients in the medical programs, cook in their bakery and soup kitchen, help out in the woodshop or work in the garden at their nearby farm. Ma Betty’s Cultural Village, Klein Karoo: Ma Betty's authentic Xhosa Cultural Village is situated in Bongulethu township (translates as 'our pride' in Xhosa). Ma Betty keeps Xhosa tradition pure by sharing traditional activities, culture, dance, food and storytelling with visits to her Oudtshoorn hut. Bo Kaap, Cape Town: Known for its brightly coloured houses and situated at the foot of Signal Hill, Bo-Kaap is the spiritual home of the Cape’s Muslim community. Have a traditional Cape Malay meal and next to Bo-Kaap, you’ll find De Waterkant. This trendy area has become one of the most sought-after addresses in Cape Town.

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GO INDULGE Wine Trails: Cape Winelands, an hour on the road from Cape Towns, is famous for grand old estates, pretty little towns, and wine. Enjoy a picnic, wander the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch and dine in the culinary capital Franschhoek. Home to the oldest wine route in South Africa, Stellenbosch Wine Route was founded in 1971. Farm experiences: At Spier Wine Farm near Stellenbosch, encounter birds of prey. Eagle Encounters rehabilitates birds of prey that have been injured, poisoned, abused or hand-reared. When they are fit, they are released into the wild.

GREEN BUZZ Monkeyland, Plettenberg Bay in Klein Karoo: Monkeyland creates awareness about the plight of primates. These walking safaris take you into the forest where the primates roam free. Part of the safari route takes you across the 128 m canopy walk. Leading the way in Responsible Tourism: Cape Town hosted the first International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations (2002) and the Cape Town Declaration is a key reference for destination sustainability. In 2004, responsible tourism was included as a founding principle of Cape Town’s Tourism Development Framework. In 2009, to mark World Responsible Tourism Day, Cape Town’s Big Six attractions – Robben Island, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Kirstenbosch, V&A Waterfront, Groot Constantia and Cape Point, signed the Cape Town Responsible Tourism Charter. The Greater Simonsberg Conservancy is situated in the wine region of Stellenbosch amid rare renosterveld fynbos, just 50 kilometers from Cape Town. Current projects include the Environmental Education Centre, Alien Clearing, Rehabilitation, Owl Boxes, Eco-Tourism (Outdoor activities within the GSC include hiking and mountain biking routes organized through DIRTROPIA).

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ESSENTIALS Population (est.)

6,116,324

Language

11 official languages but English, Afrikaans, and Xhosa are the most commonly heard

Climate

With a moderate Mediterranean climate, Cape Town is an all year destination. Pack for warm, dry summers and mild, moist winters (except in the semi-desert Karoo region, which has dry winters and low summer rainfall).

Money

The national currency is the Rand (ZAR)

Exchange Rate

The exchange rate, as of January 2016: 16.39 ZAR to 1 USD

International Airports

Cape Town International Airport (CPT)

Entry requirements

Visit www.dha.gov.za/index.php/immigration-services/apply-for-a-southafrican-visa

Tourism information

For more information on Cape Town, please visit tourismcapetown.co.za

TIPS  In South Africa, two tourism certification bodies use global standards for sustainable tourism. Be a green traveller by selecting an FTT-certified business. The FTT label signifies the company's commitment to fair and responsible tourism.  Businesses certified by The Heritage Environment Rating Programme have had their business tourism practices assessed for criteria like procurement and economic impact, design and construction, biodiversity management, etc.

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