Experience Cape Town Like A Local

When visiting an unfamiliar city, it can be overwhelming, there is so much to see and do and whilst you should of course see the iconic tourist sights the city is known for, there is no better way to explore a city than like a local. Cape Town offers ample opportunity for a truly immersive experience and with the guidance of a local.

As the Mother City gears up for a bumper Summer Season, we asked the Timeless Africa Safaris Team what some of their favourite Cape Town Experiences are.

Foodies all go mad for Cape Town and we certainly have our fair share of international award-winning chefs. But the locals will tell you spending a day out on the beach foraging and then making your own lunch, a good old-fashioned social braai, tasting award-winning wines, craft beer or gin, olives, rooibos tea, artisanal chocolates, biltong and more, makes the Cape a foodie heaven. And don’t forget those local foodie tours and learning how to cook Malay or African workshops.

Belinda’s favourites: Food markets, Fish & Chips fresh off the boat in Kalk Bay, lazy lunches and ending up lying on the grass at La Petite Ferme with that view of Franschhoek, visiting art galleries with my son, catching a classic movie at an open air cinema and summer concerts set in the incomparable Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens.

Sure the water is a bit cold, but our beaches are phenomenal. From Camps Bay, Clifton and the Atlantic’s secret bays to False Bays’ Fish Hoek, Muizenberg and Long Beach and on to Blouberg and Melkbos – there is a beach that is perfect for walking, swimming, horse-riding, surfing, kite-surfing, suntanning or a perfect Insta pose.

Louise’s favourites: As a family with a toddler, we love summer days visiting the beach pools towards the end of Bloubergstrand, fishnet in hand, searching for ocean treasures or building sandcastles. My husband is into fishing along the False Bay coast – nothing beats a fresh fish on the braai! Summer is also perfect Kite Surfing weather! And mom, loves quiet time jogging along the beachfront stopping for a coffee stop along the way. Another favourite (as is many others’) is a day outing to the winelands, with Babylonstoren, Boschendal and Spier farms providing ample running free space for little legs and treats for parents.

Being on holiday is already good for you, but why not enhance that with taking some time out from the busy sightseeing schedule to just chill. Sunrise yoga, hiking Lion’s Head at full moon and kayaking with dolphins are some of the more active good-for-you experiences, but there are spas and wellness retreats for all tastes in the city and winelands. A massage on the terrace overlooking the vines? Don’t mind if I do.

Holly’s favourites: Cape Town is perfect for a healthy- lifestyle. Our weather is great, so you can walk or cycle just about anywhere. Yoga on the mountain or the beach is a great way to start the day.

Most visitors are conscious of the impact they make when traveling and want to leave something good behind after their visit. Cape Town offers a variety of ways to do good, whether using Fair Trade products, eating at restaurants that feature only sustainable fish and local produce or visiting upliftment projects in our townships, such as Ikamva La Bantu, where you can witness first-hand the incredible work being done in communities to make life in Cape Town viable, sustainable, and worth celebrating.

Kim’s favourites: learning how to surf, walking my dogs on the Promenade, and getting ice cream at The Creamery, zooming around on my scooter exploring our stunning city, visiting Pigasso the pig that paints and other farm visits where it’s natural, organic and care it taken of the land.

Kay’s favourites: Horse riding, especially where I am able to assist children with disabilities to find the joy, family outings to nature reserves.