Steve and Sally Blackman's South African 4x4 safari [Traveller story]
Steve and Sally Blackman went on a 4x4 adventure at the beginning of this year....
19 December 2016 
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Summer has arrived and all you can think about is where you’re going to spend your vacation. From climbing the Lion head to swimming at the gorgeous seaside pool – your options for adventure this summer should be limitless.
Discover plenty things to do or see around Cape Town by Renting a car in Cape Town that will accommodate your travel.
Website: http://hikingcapetown.co.za/hike-pages/short-hikes/lions-head-cape-town/
On summer evenings, do as Capetonians do – have a picnic, hike up to Lion’s Head (which takes about an hour) and sit or stand on this peak’s grassy flanks – looking down on the city and watching the sun set into the Atlantic from 669 metres above sea level.
Website: http://www.capetown.travel/visitors/see-do/top-attractions/boulders/get-to-know-the-african-penguins-at-boulders-beach
Cape Town has beaches. For instance: Boulders Beach, is where you will see South African penguins and view the Table Mountain as you swim.
Boulders Beach is a great spot to set up camps for the day – as well as your little ones will love climbing over the rocks and playing in the rock pools.
Venue: Beach Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
Opening and closing time: 7am – 7pm (summer) | 8:30am – 5pm (winter)
Rate: R20 Adults, R10 Children
Website: seapointpool.wordpress.com
Set overlooking the stunning Sea Point Atlantic Ocean, This public swimming pool complex is regarded as the most breath-taking public swimming pool in the world.
The salt water swimming pools includes an Olympic-sized pool of 50 metres in length. However, two splash pools and a fully equipped stringboard diving pool. Picnics are welcome as well as tuck shops are available. As an added bonus – the lifeguards are present and it’s open all year round, so no matter when you visit it will be there waiting for you.
Venue: Rhodes Drive, Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Opening and closing time: September – March (Summer) Monday – Sunday: 8am – 7pm | April – August (Winter) Monday – Sunday: 8am – 6pm | Conservatory Monday – Sunday: 09h00 -17h00
Phone: 27(0)21 799 8783
Rates: Adults: R60, South African Students (with card): R30, Children (6 – 17): R15, Under 6 years: Free, BOTSOC members: Free, South African Senior Citizens (with ID): Free on Tuesdays except on public holidays, Regret no group discounts, Buy online: www.webtickets.co.za
Website: http://www.sanbi.org/gardens/kirstenbosch
One of the grandest botanic gardens in the world. The 36-hectare Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is part of a 528-hectare estate on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, and part of the World Heritage-listed Cape Floristic Region.
There are walking tracks through the fynbos (native vegetation that includes the king protea, South Africa’s national flower) and Afromontane (African mountain) forest. There are also Sunday afternoon concerts in summer.
Venue: 1 – 4 Strand Street, Woodstock, Cape Town
Opening and closing time: 7:00pm – 2:00am
Phone: 021 447 2133
Website: http://www.amadoda.co.za/
Life doesn’t get much better than food, friends and music – and that’s exactly what a braai is all about. If you don’t have the pleasure of being invited to one, we recommend checking out Amadoda Braai.
Venue: 5 Geelbek Street, Kleinbaai, Western Cape, South Africa
Phone: +27 (0) 799 309 694
Website: http://www.sharkwatchsa.com/en/home/
You will be showed how to distinguish between a male and female shark and how to identify a specific shark by its unique dorsal fin and scars. The 20 – 25 minute boat trip to where the activity will take place, is by itself an exhilarating adventure.
Venue: 373-375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
Opening and closing time: Saturday 9am – 2pm
Phone: 021 447 8194
Website: http://www.theoldbiscuitmill.co.za/
People come together to share, collaborate and show off the heart-felt passion. The Mill is home to day and night markets, dynamic office space, a range of workshops and designer stores, delicious farm stalls, decadent restaurants as well as an inspiring line-up of festivals and productions.
Explore the Mill and meet some of South Africa’s most talented, innovative designers, artists, photographers, and connoisseurs of fine taste and decor.
Please note that Cape Town is quite vast and unless you want to just see the city bowl we highly recommend car rental Cape Town as your first option. The whales, wine farms and many more attractions are quite far (40-80km) out of the CBD and car rental would be your cheapest option.
Venue: Perth Road and Fishermens Walk, Zeekoei Vlei, Cape Town, 7941
Phone: 021 706 2404
Website: http://www.capetown.travel/products/rondevlei-nature-reserve
Rondevlei Nature Reserve birds sanctuary extends for 2.2 square kilometres across a permanent wetland and a huge lagoon. There are approximately 230 bird species. Also home to a group of hippos.
The space is alive with ducks, herons, ibises, pelicans, weavers, hippos and mammals such as Cape grysbok, porcupines, Cape dune mole rats and the Cape clawless as well as tours by boat on the river and lake. However, There is also a small museum and a network of footpaths that take one through the reserve.
Venue: 1B Regent Road, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005, Western Cape
Phone: 021 439 3038
Website: http://trainrestaurant.mycylex.com/
The Atlantic Express Cake and Coffee Train is so unique – since it is part of an actual train. It comes with oozing coziness – both for their food and service. It is not pretty, but advisable to bring kids since it has a considerable lack of space for young children to play around in. Weekends are busy for them so book ahead by calling.
Venue: Dock Road, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 8002
Phone: +27 (0)21 418 3823
Rate: R97 to R125, depending on whether you are a student, child, adult or a pensioner.
Website: http://www.aquarium.co.za/
The Two Oceans Aquarium situated at the V&A Waterfront is a spectacular water world that allows you to view over 3000 aquatic species, including sharks, fish, turtles and penguins.
There are a number of display galleries, which are enthralling to all ages. The rich aquatic displays include the Atlantic Ocean Gallery, Indian Ocean Gallery, I&J Predator Exhibit, Sappi River Meander, and Kelp Forest Exhibit. As you walk between galleries, you’ll be delighted to see sharks, penguins, seahorses, jellyfish, and too many fish species to count. As well as see sharks, penguins, seahorses, jellyfish, turtles and thousands of fish.
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