Tidal pools of Cape Town

So many of our visitors enjoying a holiday in Cape Town with their families seem to be setting out from their holiday cottages looking for information about safe swimming for the children, and tidal pools seem to feature prominently in searches on the Internet this summer. This article gives some information about the tidal pools found on the popular False Bay coast of Cape Town, where the water is a little warmer for bathing than the Atlantic side of the peninsula. All of these pools are enclosed by stone walls and offer protected and safe bathing for children. In addition they are well maintained by the City, which places a high priority of tourism in Cape Town.


St James Pool : There is a small beach here, with a large tidal pool that is surrounded by brightly coloured Victorian era bathing boxes which may make this the most photographed beach in Cape Town. The tidal pool is popular for child friendly bathing as it is quite shallow for most of the length although one can dive from the rocks into the deeper end. The pool is surrounded by a relatively low wall, which keeps the water refreshed but keeps children safe. There are plenty of rocks with little tidal pools to explore, full of marine treasures which will keep the kids occupied for hours when not swimming. There is a nice wide sand beach, but St James is very popular on weekends and holidays so it would be best to arrive early if you want to spend the day here. There are toilets, showers and changing rooms at the beach. A pleasant diversion is the walkway along the shore between St James and the beach at Muizenberg that will make an enjoyable meander with the children from where they can admire the ocean and some of the interesting and historic buildings facing the sea.

Dalebrook Pool : is a little further on the main road before one gets to Kalk Bay, and is not as well-known to visitors from outside of Cape Town. This is a great pool where one can swim quite energetically. It is also surrounded by a stone wall, but one which is low enough for the waves to break over the end and keep the pool clean. If taking the children, be sure to let them take their goggles and snorkels because there are plenty of little fish and marine plants in the pool that will keep them amazed. Access to the beach is through a subway under the railway line opposite Dalebrook Road. Toilets, a shower and changing room are available, and it is close enough to Kalk Bay should you need to purchase refreshments or snacks.

Glencairn Pool : on the main road between the popular family beaches of Fish Hoek and Simonstown is another large, walled tidal pool which offers perfectly safe bathing for kids. The pool is a little distance from the beach itself and is situated just below the railway station. It is also a good place to grab a sunbathing spot when the beach itself becomes overcrowded on the weekends. The beach is directly in front of Black Hill Road coming over the mountain from our affordable Noordhoek holiday accommodation and the GPS coordinates are : latitude: -34.15, longitude 18.41667

Miller’s Point municipal resort is a caravan park, boat launching site and tidal pool on the road between Simonstown and Cape Point. It is less popular and not as well-known as many of the other pools, probably because of the distance that one has to travel, but it has a really great tidal pool for children, surrounded by expansive green lawns on which the adults can relax. Although there is not much of a beach here, there are quite a number of small sandy coves where you could enjoy a private family picnic. GPS coordinates : S25.74446 E028.21735

Boulders Beach at Simonstown may not, strictly speaking, be a tidal pool, but it is a beautifully sheltered little beach with gently sloping sands, surrounded by massive boulders which enclose and protect the beach from wind, waves and even predators. The added advantage for children of bathing here is that it is also a sanctuary for the African Penguins who will share the beach and the water with them. Unlike most of the Cape Town beaches, there is an entry fee which contributes to the cost of running the Penguin sanctuary and information centre. It is not only a great spot for the kids to bathe, but they will have hours of fun climbing the boulders as well as ducking beneath them to get to the coves on the other side. It is a very popular beach and crowded at weekends and holidays, so it is best to arrive early as numbers are limited in order to preserve the peace of the penguins

No matter where you chose to stay during your affordable cape holidays, these tidal pools are at most 30 min drive from the city but you can access most of them by train either from Cape Town or from the quaint Victorian station at Muizenberg. Our Blog contains more information about safe bathing beaches of cape town.

By : Affordable Cape Town self-catering accommodation - Fully equipped self catering Cape Town beach Cottages and chalets.

Holidays in Cape Town more affordable this Summer

We find that our affordable accommodation in Cape Town is usually booked for the peak holiday season of Christmas and New Year more than six months before the start of the summer, by people who can easily afford to pay the required advance deposit to secure their Cape Town holiday accommodation. Things are definitely looking up in the travel accommodation business and we have been experiencing a steady increase month on month since the early part of the year of enquiries for self catering accommodation cape town. What has puzzled us is that so many requests for reservation are not confirmed in spite of the fact that the person making the enquiry has obviously viewed our accommodation and the rates on the website before submitting the enquiry. We have drawn the conclusion that the requirement to pay the 50% securing deposit which is standard in the industry becomes a problem for ordinary working people.


During the month of November as well as early December we have been experiencing a flood of enquiries from the website as well as telephone calls for people looking for affordable cape town accommodation during the peak season after having tried without success elsewhere. It seems that most South Africans from upcountry are determined to have their annual holiday at the seaside but have left the booking too late to take advantage of their expected annual bonuses. We have also noted in the search terms used by visitors to our website that large numbers of people are looking for budget accommodation in Cape Town, cheap self catering accommodation in Cape Town and similar terms. No one in our industry, particularly those who have been graded by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa or other associations that bestow status upon accommodation want to be associated with the term “ cheap accommodation” and all that it implies, but we used the knowledge that was gained on the market to offer prospective guests the opportunity to pay the securing deposit for a reservation in monthly instalments to suit their budgets and also to similarly pay the balance of the accommodation fee in monthly instalments before the start of their holiday.

Those who have taken advantage of this opportunity have said that being able to take advantage of this flexibility has meant that they will have their annual bonus available to spend during their holiday in Cape Town instead of having to use it to pay for accommodation and dig into their savings. In their latest newsletter Cape Town Tourism has reported that the survey amongst their members showed “cautious optimism” about the summer season ahead. One of the factors that is undoubtedly resulting in reservation about the prospects for a bumper season is the strength of the South African Rand. Luckily for many of us in the non-hotel accommodation sector, the largest numbers of our guests are from within our own country and they are not adversely affected by rates of exchange.

Horizon holiday cottages plans to take advantage of this by offering its clients an instalment plan to make holidays in Cape Town more affordable by allowing guests to book up to 12 months in advance and pay any amount that suits their budget and circumstances. We have no doubt that the fact that we have experienced record numbers of bookings for the summer months; stretching right into the Easter school holidays is due to this flexible and innovative payment plan, for securing affordable accommodation in Cape Town .

By : Dennis : Horizon Holiday Cottages

http://www.horizoncottages.co.za/

Safe bathing beaches of Cape Town for this summer

Seaforth Beach, Simonstown

 By now the award of Blue Flag status to some of Cape Town beaches has been well-publicised and blogged about. This coveted award will certainly help to further improve the reputation of our beautiful city as a desirable international holiday destination, but we note that many up country visitors who are searching for cape town beach cottages for the summer holidays are also questioning whether it is safe to swim in Cape Town. For many who will holiday and enjoy the relaxing lifestyle of False Bay and the southern peninsula, the concern is whether bathing will be safe for the family this holiday season. The good news is that the city of Cape Town's recreation and amenities department has made every effort to ensure that the beaches of Cape Town will be ready for influx of visitors for the summer season, with a special focus being paid to beaches and tidal pools. In addition, the city has renewed a contract with Lifesaving Western Province for another three years to provide safe bathing and management of the beaches during the summer peak season, which means that 250 trained and accredited lifeguards will be deployed to render life-saving services at all beaches between 10 am and 6 pm daily from 01 December 2010 to mid-January 2011 when the schools re-open.


Shark-spotting measures will remain a priority for this holiday season, with Shark-spotters being deployed to Glencairn and Clovelly beaches during December, long weekends and over the Easter holidays. Shark-spotters will remain in place throughout the year at Muizenberg Corner, Fish Hoek, St. James, Kalk Bay and The Hoek in Noordhoek. The City’s Sport, Recreation and Amenities Department has been conducting regular checks of all of its beaches to ensure that they are clean and that all infrastructure is maintained including :
• All bathrooms and showers are clean and in working order
• All braai areas, paving, and grassed areas are regularly maintained and weeded
• All railings are maintained and some are being painted
• The tidal pools are managed according to the tidal pool management plan, which includes regular removal of algae
• Attention has also been paid to water quality at beaches and in tidal pools, which is tested and monitored by the Water and Sanitation Department’s Scientific Services, and action taken where necessary.

Horizon Holiday Cottages is a popular family and child friendly accommodation resort, and it seems that many are looking for beaches where the family will be assured of being able to enjoy the sun, surf and the beaches in complete safety. Whilst there are many beaches to choose from in the greater Cape Town area, the beaches of nearby False Bay offer warmer waters and a number of completely safe family swimming options. Especially suitable for holiday visitors with children are the following beaches all within a few minutes’ drive of Horizon Holiday Cottages:

Glencairn beach is the closest of the False Bay beaches; and is just a 5 minute drive from our accommodation. This lovely, clean, sandy beach remains largely overlooked by tourists even though it lies between the more popular beaches of Fish Hoek and Simonstown. The beach forms a small bay that is quite sheltered from the South East winds that prevail in the summer, although there is quite a strong backwash on the beach, particularly when the tides are high. Kids are bound to prefer the spacious tidal pool that juts into the bay, just below the railway station. Although beach amenities are sparse, there are a couple of good restaurants nearby including ”Flukes” at the Southern Right - a pretty, restored Victorian beach hotel.


Seaforth Beach, Simonstown is another great family beach, popular with children and their parents for safe bathing; Seaforth Beach is almost completely surrounded by large boulders with no waves and it is almost like an enormous tidal pool. The beach has gentle sloping sands, making it ideal for toddlers at play, although further out it is certainly deep enough for those who want to engage in more energetic swimming. The gentle sloping lawns that overlook the bathing area offer an ideal spot for a family picnic, and where adults can relax under the shade of old palm trees while keeping an eye on the little ones. The restaurant at the beach offers dining on the deck with spectacular views across False Bay.

Boulders beach has a deserved reputation as one of the world’s best family beaches and can be reached by a pleasant walk from Seaforth beach or, by car, from the parking lot just opposite the unusual golf course at Simonstown. In summer it is best to arrive early since numbers allowed access to the beach are limited in order to prevent overcrowding. The sheltered beach gets its name from the massive boulders that surround it, and which form sheltered coves in which you may will encounter some of the cute African penguins that have made this beach their home. Kids love this beach because the Penguins will come waddling past, or may even be sharing the water with them as they swim.

Boulders beach

You may be assured of your family being able to enjoy our beaches in complete safety at these great beaches. For further information about some other of the best Cape Town beaches with walled tidal pools see our website information, and for shark spotting measures at the beaches consult our blog : http://horizoncot.blogspot.com/2010/08/cape-town-beaches-to-have-improved.html




By : Dennis Cook
Affordable Cape Town self-catering accommodation - Fully equipped self catering family Cottages and chalets on Noordhoek beach.

Cape Town beaches to have improved shark spotting signs

With the coming of spring, Cape Town beach cottages and other holiday accommodation establishments look forward to an increase in the number of guests and visitors to our beautiful city and its wonderful clean beaches. We have noticed quite an increase in the number of Google searches that relate to sharks and the safety of the beaches of Cape Town recently, so it will come as good news for prospective visitors to find that the City of Cape Town, in conjunction with the Shark Spotters’ programme will put in place three new, strikingly visible information signs to inform visitors as well as raise awareness about the presence of sharks in Cape Town’s waters and to guide beach users on the workings of Shark Spotting Programme.


A new blue ‘Shark Smart’ sign will convey general information on sharks in Cape Town waters as well as advice on using the ocean, and will be erected in the near future. The existing Shark Spotting Programme information sign has been modified to explain the meaning of the colour-coded shark warning flags and shows information on shark spotter duty shifts. Beach-goers can also use it to get general visibility condition information, emergency service contact details and the date of the last shark sighting.

Red warning signs indicating a ‘high risk’ have been placed on Jagger’s Walk at Fish Hoek Beach – where the most recent shark attack occurred. Bathers are , however, reminded to always be vigilant and exercise caution when they swim at any beach, particularly in the deeper waters. In addition, all Shark Spotting Programme flags now have a shark outline printed on them, to ensure that beach users are able to differentiate between the shark spotting flags and other, unrelated, bathing flags.

When the Red Shark Flag is flown this indicates a general shark alert, and will be raised when a shark has been observed in the area, when there are more sharks in the area, or when there are conditions conducive to increased shark activity, such as high fish activity or stranding of a whale. This flag will be lowered only when the alert is no longer necessary and will be flown in conjunction with one of the other spotting flags.

The new shark information signs may be found on the following Cape Peninsula beaches: Noordhoek Corner , Glencairn, Fish Hoek, Clovelly, St. James, Kalk Bay and Muizenberg. The signage is designed to be highly visible and has been strategically placed to ensure that it is accessible to all beach users. The City has requested the public to familiarise themselves with the new signs. Beach-based shark spotters are available to answer any questions related to shark safety, and informational brochures can be obtained from them or the “Save Our Seas” Shark Centre in Kalk Bay. Swimmers are advised to leave the water immediately when warnings are sounded and not return to it until the shark spotters have given the all-clear. For further details and copies of the signs refer to the City of Cape Town website :
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/Pages/Cityerectsnewsharksignageatitsbeaches.aspx
In a previous blog post we have pointed out that shark attacks are quite rare on the beaches of Cape Town and that bathing is generally safe. Whilst the attack at Fish Hoek occurred on a deep water bather, most shark attacks involve surfers and spear fisherman and take place way beyond the usual bathing beach waters. If anyone is not reassured by this information and wishes to find information about the many safe tidal pools and enclosed beaches of False Bay, this can be found in our blog post :
http://horizoncot.blogspot.com/2010/01/cape-town-beaches-is-it-safe-to-go-in.html

By Dennis Cook
Horizon Holiday Cottages, Noordhoek
affordable Cape Town accommodation

Tourism Growth in South Africa in spite of recession

Those of us who make a living from tourism in Cape Town have known instinctively for some time that better days are ahead and that there is an evident growth in the number of visitors to our city. After a dismal 2008, we were gratified to be almost fully booked for the December holiday period, but this is attributable mainly to internal tourism. This is an important part of our market but no real barometer of the prospects for growth in international tourism.


After a relatively slow January we were amazed to find that we were inundated with enquiries for the months February to April, and our occupancy rates soared to better than we had experienced in our 8 years of doing business in Noordhoek. Quite a high percentage of our guests during these three months were from Europe and the UK. Winter is usually a slow period for accommodation in Cape Town, but the enquiries for the World Cup came flooding in, brightening prospects for the winter. Unlike many other establishments in the Cape Town South Peninsula, who are reporting very few bookings because of the distance from the city and the stadium; our bookings for June and July, thanks to the World Cup, will brighten these winter months.

It came as no surprise then to note that the prestigious Visa credit card organisation has confirmed this real growth in information just published on their website : http://www.corporate.visa.com/. I am sure that all tour operators and owners of accommodation establishments will be heartened and encouraged by their findings. According to the website:

South Africa saw a 34 percent increase in inbound tourism spending during the first quarter of 2010, and anticipates additional growth opportunities around the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, according to Tourism Outlook: South Africa, an annual report released today by Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) that analyzes Visa cardholder spending for the past two years.

VisaVue® Travel data indicates that South Africa weathered the economic headwinds which impacted international tourism during 2009 better than most countries around the world. While many countries saw double-digit drops in inbound tourism spending, Visa cardholder spending by international visitors to South Africa decreased only 2.7 percent from $1.84 billion in 2008 to $1.79 billion in 2009. Despite a challenging climate in 2009, 2010 has already shown reasons for the country’s continued optimism. During the first quarter of 2010, Visa cardholder spending increased to nearly $566 million, up from $423 million during the first quarter of 2009.

The top contributors to South Africa’s inbound tourism spending in 2009 include: The United Kingdom (26 percent), United States (15 percent), Mozambique (5 percent), Germany (4 percent) and France (4 percent). While travellers from Western Europe and the U.S. continue to be the strongest contributors to South African tourism, significant increases in spending by cardholders from emerging markets is indicative of South Africa’s growing stature as a tourism destination. Visa data revealed double- and triple-digit growth in spending by cardholders originating from: Malawi (168 percent), Mozambique (118 percent), Angola (115 percent), China (28 percent) and Botswana (18 percent).

Since 2007 we have espoused the view that the World Cup should not be seen as the culmination of an enormous amount of hard work and publicity by all concerned but as the beginning of opportunity to showcase our beautiful country to the millions of all fans who will watch the matches on TV which will bring an increase in the number of international tourists. The Visa website shares this view and has said that

As host of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,TM South Africa is uniquely positioned to further enhance its visibility globally. The tournament will provide South Africa with a significant opportunity to showcase its unique assets and culture to the world and attract visitors and tourism revenues for months and years to come. This year alone, South Africa expects to welcome more than 370,0001 international visitors for this global competition. The month-long 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is expected to add 93 billion rand to the South Africa economy, translating to a 0.54 percent boost to gross domestic product, a significant contribution given that the total South Africa GDP growth in 2010 is estimated at 2.0 to 2.5 percent2.

We certainly hold the view that our people’s unbridled enthusiasm, warm African welcome and undisputed evidence that we have the ability to receive and entertain large numbers of international tourists, host events and have our visitors depart as ambassadors whose South African holiday experience will be shared with friends and family, to create a lasting favourable image of South Africa as an exciting, safe and affordable international destination for a future holiday.

Low Cost Airfares aim to attract World Cup visitors to Cape Town

Cape Town Tourism and Cape Town Routes Unlimited, have joined forces in a bid to win Cape Town more visits from 2010 World Cup fans who may be based in other centres . The website of Cape Town travel says “Cape Town is one of the places of a lifetime and that you haven’t seen South Africa if you haven’t been to Cape Town. “This is a city of experiences, a city designed to delight your senses, stimulate your mind and satisfy your thirst for fun and adventure”. There is still plenty of affordable accommodation available in Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism has partnered with low-cost internal airlines Kulula, Mango and 1Time to offer affordable flights to Cape Town. This campaign breaks new ground, in an arrangement with low-cost internal airlines Mango, Kulula and 1Time. Usually keen competitors, they have agreed to share in a series of ads to promote awareness of affordable Cape Town accommodation packages coupled with low airfares.


Visitors to South Africa who may not have been planning to include a Cape Town holiday should not miss this opportunity. Cape Town Tourism and their extensive list of accommodation establishment members, in partnership with these airlines, will offer incredible deals on Cape Town escapes during the World Cup period, and will launch the “Come to Cape Town Campaign” on 13 June , 2010 making it really affordable to fly and stay in Cape Town for a few days between matches. Cape Town travel is promoting one-way flights from R700 between Johannesburg and Cape Town and accommodation from less than R500 per person per night; the offer is valid from until July 31; subject to availability. Tourists may book online through Cape Town Tourism’s website: www.capetown.travel.

Attractive flight specials will be promoted through in-flight and Web based promotions by all three airlines. A series of print ads will also run in local newspapers over the next three weekends, and a local and international PR campaign will continue to drive the message that Cape Town cannot be missed.

The dynamic Chief Executive of Cape Town Tourism, Mariette Du Toit-Helmbold points out that it would be a great pity to miss out on Cape Town when visiting South Africa. “With countless accolades to back this statement up, I can only say that Cape Town is one of the places of a lifetime. You’ve come so far; don’t miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to soak up the electric atmosphere while exploring one of the most beautiful cities in the world!”

“Cape Town is going to be all about the atmosphere. We have great entertainment lined up, our restaurants and bars are primed, and the activity hubs in the inner city, V&A Waterfront, FIFA Fan Fest and Green Point areas are going to generate an incredible soccer experience – all within easy walking distance of each other. The packages we have put together mean that it is actually really affordable to hop on a plane and stay with us for a few days between games.” “It’s a bit of a secret, but Cape Town is as good in winter as it is in summer – it’s just different – more about a brisk walk on the beach than lying under the umbrella,” commented Mariette.

Most accommodation establishments in the non-hotel sector have realised that they need to be really competitive during the “Secret Season”, which is our winter, because of the lower than expected number of visitors for the 2010 World cup. Make good use of the choice available in the Internet to shop around for affordable Cape Town accommodation.

Accommodation rates in Cape Town lower for the World Cup 2010

A recent survey conducted by by CapeInfo and affirmed by the Western Cape’s destination marketing organisation Cape Town Routes Unlimited amongst the local accommodation industry, has found that almost 50% of Cape Town’s accommodation establishments have been booked out for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Due to the expected numbers being much less than anticipated, many hotels and other establishments had changed their pricing approach from seeking above peak season rates to normal peak season rates or lower.
The survey found that 46% of Cape Town’s hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodations were fully booked for the month of June, compared with 38% for the same period last year and 57% in 2008. Hotels received the most bookings, followed by guesthouses and self-catering accommodation. Naturally the suburbs closer to the stadium, in the city surrounds, and along the Atlantic Seaboard have proved to be the most popular. It has been fund that there has generally been an increase in occupation compared to a normal winter season. One thing is very clear from the survey , and that is the bonanza that the accommodation industry had expected will not materialize. Good news for visitors for the World Cup 2010 is that you can now obtain affordable accommodation in Cape Town.

Lower Accommodation Prices
According to CapeInfo’s April 2010 survey, the hospitality industry has been compelled to adapt a more reasonable pricing approach. A total of 45% are now charging the same or less than current peak season rates, compared with 26% in January this year, with 12% charging their usual off-peak rates compared to January’s 6%.
Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism: stated “Almost two thirds of expected World Cup visitors said that they would be heading to Cape Town. To them and others we want to say: we have a variety of affordable accommodation available for you – from five-star right through to backpackers – and a million ways to make the most of the game.
“With matches at the Cape Town Stadium almost sold out, visitors can catch the Cape carnival atmosphere for free at the FIFA Fan Fest™ with Table Mountain as their backdrop, or they can match-crawl the rest of the city’s public viewing areas for a jol with the locals. Between the games, we have a colourful mix of tourist attractions and activities available for international visitors as well as our domestic travellers to make part of their World Cup memories.”

Look to the Southern Peninsula
An informal survey was recently conducted amongst the members of the Noordhoek Tourism Association and it was found that very few bookings had been received for accommodation in this beautiful coastal valley lying at the foot of the Table Mountain range and facing a wonderful beach with 7 km of pristine white sand. Noordhoek is known as Cape Town's best kept “ secret destination”. It is a country village where most properties are zoned agricultural and where conservation is a concern of all residents. The large properties, where many keep horses, make this unique in the Cape Town area. Visitors looking for affordable accommodation in a restful village suburb will find plenty of choice at prices much lower than they can expect to pay closer to the city. Those who will be attending matches in the stadium can enjoy a spectacular drive to the city on Chapman’s Peak drive- said to be one of the most beautiful coastal, scenic drives in the world. Noordhoek lies right at the start of Chapman’s Peak drive ; just a 30 minute drive from the stadium.

Horizon Holiday Cottages in Noordhoek, which offers self catering family cottages in studio Cabanas, has decided to slash their prices by 50% for visitors who stay for 4 days or more during the World Cup in order to encourage people to get to know Noordhoek and the attractions of the Southern Peninsula. Contact them for reservations or further information.

Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is ready for the World Cup 2010

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is one of the most visited attractions in South Africa. With less than a month before the kick off of the 2010 World Cup, CEO of the V&A Waterfront, Mr. David Green, said in a press release that the Waterfront was fully prepared for the influx of visitors for the FIFA 2010 World Cup 2010 tournament to be held from June till July, with about 100,000 visitors per day expected at the Waterfront. With that many visitors expected, Green said that security and infrastructure measures have been improved in the build up to the World Cup. "On match days there will be a 50% increase in security and non-match days there will be a 25% security increase above what we currently have. 60 Waterfront ambassadors have been recruited to be available for tourists throughout the 300 acre campus. “We will be open as usual from 9am to 9pm, although food and beverage outlets can trade till 2am and in some cases we have increased the hours to 4am," he explained.

Scenic access routes
Green said there were two safe, yet scenic , routes which visitors can use to walk to the Waterfront; accessed at the Clock Tower and at the West Quay past Cape Grace and Bascule Bridge. However, in line with FIFA regulations, certain access routes around the stadium will be closed on match days and fans and visitors to the stadium and the V&A Waterfront are strongly encouraged to make use of public transport and Park-and-Ride options.

Spectator Zones :
To enhance the World Cup experience for the anticipated 350,000 visitors to Cape Town during the football tournament, the V&A Waterfront has organised four prime-site Spectator Zones:

· Quay 4, diagonally opposite the Amphitheatre, will seat 400 spectators and will be open from 10am till 1am. Entrance is free and TV screens will be in place to view matches.
· The MTN Spectator Zone at Clock Tower Square offers free admission and also has a capacity of 400 ; it opens at 11am; all the games will be aired on flat screen TV’s
· The Hyundai Spectator Zone will be situated opposite the Caltex Service Station and has a capacity of 2,000 with a cost of R100 per person. The game will be viewed on 1 large screen.
· The V&A Waterfront Lookout Point is situated above the Breakwater Parking Garage also with a capacity of 2000 with a cost of R150 pp. This venue will feature two activities specifically for the USA and UK supporters, entitled “Eagle's Nest” and “Lion's Den."

Wheel of Excellence
Another exciting attraction arriving at the end of May will be the Wheel of Excellence, a Waterfront exclusive for the World Cup. This will be fully illuminated giant observation wheel 50 metres in height, and featuring 36 fully enclosed luxury cabins that will treat visitors to a unique sightseeing opportunity; with spectacular views of the City as well as Table Mountain and Robben Island. It will be situated at the Canal site, opposite the Caltex Garage. The wheel will be fully operational from June 8 and will remain at the V&A Waterfront for an extended period after the World Cup matches. Ticket price to the Wheel of Excellence is R70 per person.

Safety and security :

The Waterfront’s CEO provided details of improvements in safety and security, cleaning, lighting, access routes and parking facilities, following comparative risk assessments based on valuable lessons learnt at the World Cup in Germany. "We have increased our security presence by 50% on match days and 25% on non-match days, to ensure we are covered to handle any unexpected eventualities. This includes employing additional full-time security personnel during the World Cup. All additional security personnel have worked with the area during the test match period, so are familiar with the site and proceedings. In addition, we have reviewed and updated the positioning of our 1000-plus CCTV cameras in all common areas” he said.
Information centre upgradedThe new Information Centre (alongside Ferryman’s Tavern on Dock Road) has been upgraded at accost of R5,5 million, and aims to be the first stop to welcome local and international visitors to the V&A Waterfront. In addition to general tourist information, services include reservations for accommodation in Cape Town and tour bookings in and around the V&A Waterfront and surrounds.

Visitors should be exited at these developments aimed at enhancing their enjoyment of the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Good news for fans is that there is still plenty of affordable Cape Town holiday accommodation available, so book now.

Cape Town to provide efficient transport for visitors to the World Cup 2010

Cape Town’s Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system is progressing according to a long term plan, but the City officials assure visitors to the South Africa World Cup 2010, that the first phase of the service, which will comprise bus services between the IRT stations at the Cape Town International Airport, the large IRT station at the Civic Centre and Cape Town Stadium will be in operating in time for the tournament to be able to efficiently convey visitors to their Cape Town holiday accommodation and to the Stadium . Additionally, a smaller ‘feeder service’ around the city bowl area that will have passengers embarking and disembarking at clearly marked kerb side points will also have been completed.

The airport-to-city link includes the construction of IRT stations at the Civic Centre, Stadium and Cape Town airport ; directly outside the entrance to the newly built terminal building and serviced by metered taxis and provincial buses. 43 newly purchased integrated rapid transit busses will be deployed to ferry visitors to Cape Town for the World Cup. The IRT busses take up to 150 passengers and luggage. Buses will make use of the existing road network, using the reserved bus and minibus taxi lane from Cape Town airport along the N2 freeway, resulting in travel time savings during peak periods.

Buses will generally depart from the airport about every seven minutes. After 22:00, and before 06:00, departures will be available and limited to every 15 minutes to 20 minutes. The airport link is designed to drop visitors off at the Civic Centre station, in the CBD, from where passengers can use other bus and taxi services to their hotels.

A free shuttle bus service for match ticket holders will run from the main transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard to Cape Town Stadium in Green Point. This service will operate from four hours before kick-off, until four hours after the final whistle. Buses will depart every three to five minutes, depending on demand. It will take less than a minute to fill an IRT bus with spectators after a match.
Disabled spectators will be transported by the city's Dial-a-Ride buses from Hertzog Boulevard to the stadium.

Kylie Hatton, the City of Cape Town’s Media Manager, says that, when FIFA World Cup visitors arrive at Cape Town International Airport, staff will be on hand to explain how the system works; travel information will be made available, and tickets will be sold at the airport’s IRT station kiosk.
Ms Hatton said the IRT would benefit all residents and tourists visiting Cape Town and will ensure safe, efficient, quality public transport around the city. The first phase will include the airport–city link and the city–stadium link and which will be completed in time for the World Cup in 2010. The new IRT system will be rolled out in phases over the next ten to fifteen years. Once complete it will cover the entire city and surrounding suburbs.. As the name suggests, IRT is a new integrated transport system that aims to connect and complement the various modes of transport around Cape Town and its surrounding suburbs through the use of minibuses and buses of different sizes.
Once up and running the IRT system will resolve daily traffic congestion. “More people will use public transport once they see how fast, safe and reliable the IRT system will be,” said Ms. Hatton. “With fewer private cars driving to work every day, the IRT will reduce carbon emissions in the city. "A world class public transport system would also make Cape Town more enticing to tourists.

A train service operates across the main suburbs of the city, and may be the best transport option for those staying in the suburbs. The central Cape Town station is a short walk from the transport hub in Hertzog Boulevard. The 25 stations in the Cape Town metro area have more than 7 000 parking bays. Park-and-ride schemes, where fans can park their cars and be ferried to the stadium and fan parks, are also being put in place at railway stations across the city. The aim is to discourage the use of private transport. All the park-and-ride facilities would be safe, secure and well lit.

A park-and-ride service with the same hours of operation as the shuttle bus will run from the University of Cape Town’s upper campus in Rondebosch to the main transport hub, and will be free of charge for match ticket holders.

If you are still wondering where to stay in Cape Town, be assured that the city is doing everything possible to make it easy for you to get to be World Cup matches the matter where you choose accommodation.
For more details of the city's transport plan see their website :
http://www.capetown.gov.za/en/irt/Pages/CapeTownsnewIRTisunderconstruction.aspx

Tourism radio – innovative information for Cape Town tourism

The city of Cape Town, like the rest of South Africa, eagerly awaits the many international visitors who will be enjoying the FIFA World Cup 2010, some of whom will be staying in our affordable Cape Town holiday accommodation. Visitors should know about a feature that is available when hiring a car to make your motoring holiday around the Western Cape more informative and more enjoyable.
Tourism Radio is a station designed to entertain and educate tourists while driving en-route. Once a visitor opts to include Tourism Radio in their hired car, they can tune into Tourism Radio on 91.4 FM to get cultural, historical and anecdotal information, as well as updates on nearby attractions and even shows. Tourism Radio is a unique location-based radio broadcast that keeps tourists informed about the area they are visiting, in via GPS technology fitted into rental cars. Thanks to GPS technology and a specially designed Tourism Radio device, Tourism radio will tell the visitor all about the area through which he is travelling, and will draw the attention to prominent landmarks and highlights as they are approached, so you don't miss anything that your South Africa holiday has to offer. As you move from one location to the next the information will change so you only hear what is interesting and related to the area. Tourism radio website assures visitors that the station also airs entertaining and informative radio shows on topics like South African slang, local music and 20 questions a tourist would like to ask a South African."What this means in practical terms is that if you're in Cape Town, you learn about the development of the Mother City, and when you drive to Stellenbosch, the focus of the broadcast travels with you ... it's that easy,". "It's like having a local person (to guide you ) there in your car," founder and operations director Mark Allewell says
Tourism radio also aims to make visitors to Cape Town aware of what they can experience during and after the World Cup, and will have also have a focus on safety of tourists, in partnership with the city of Cape Town. Visitors to Cape Town with cell phones will also be able to obtain informative guides by downloading them from the local website www.hummba.com. This will be launching during April across multiple mobile phone operating systems. Derived from the Xhosa name meaning go or travel, Hummba is a social network for travelers that lets them connect with friends, track their travels live and share their travel experiences, directly from mobile phones.With an estimated 10-million tourists expected to enjoy a holiday in South Africa this year, this new technology is sure make their travelling experience more pleasant. Further good news for tourism in Cape Town is that the price of a Cape Town holiday is definitely becoming more affordable as many lodges, guest houses and self catering establishments have reduced their prices to affordable rates as has been confirmed in recent surveys conducted in the industry. If you are looking for an affordable relaxing place to stay during the World Cup you will be sure to find it at : www.horizoncottages.co.za

A care line to assist foreign tourists in emergencies

South Africa has been blessed, as tourism in South Africa has continued to grow despite the recession. Now, we await the hundreds of thousands of visitors to Cape Town and other centres for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. Safety and security when visiting South Africa has been a topic of hot discussion, and with the eyes of the world critically focused on South Africa, the need for a one stop accident, emergency and general information helpline is now being met by Cape Town based , but accessible Visitors International Protection Association (VIPA) which offers comprehensive assistance services in the event of a visitor being involved in an emergency situation; becoming a victim of crime or just needing general help while on holiday anywhere in South Africa.
The Visitors International Protection Association is an independent organization, but linked to agencies, associations, services and service providers (government and private) concerned with the welfare and well being of international visitors to South Africa. VIP Association membership claims to provide the visitor with the best South Africa has to offer with regards to personal protection, medical care, legal assistance and travel related services. They also help with recovering or replacing lost documents and can relay emergency messages home when required.
The VIP Association has established the VIPA911, 24/7 SPOC (Single Point Of Contact) Contact centre, to co-ordinate all these services, allowing its members to make only with one easy phone call when assistance is needed in all emergency and non emergency situations , such as general information services, and will be assisted by a friendly, efficient assistance co-ordinator who is able to: guide, advise and help … in life threatening and/or intimidating situations.
Any of the following (and many other similar) scenarios are dealt with daily:

You are involved in an accident and are hurt
You need legal assistance
You require a car towing service in the event of a break-down
You require personal protection
You feel ill and require medical assistance
You require assistance with lost travel documents and/or credit cards
You need to get general information about an area, a place or clarification about a situation
Any other imaginable “emergency” situation when abroad

The number for the 24/7 Single Point of Contact Call Centre in South Africa is:080 HELP 911 (080 4357 911). This number is toll free from a landline in South Africa. Cellular Network charges apply when calling from a cellular phone.
In addition they offer a strategic agreement entered into with a global telecommunications provider gives VIPA access to proprietary technology that allows:
installation of panic button functionality on a member’s own cellular phone which transmits positioning information in conjunction with a panic signal,
below contract rate fees on international call and data bundles with no roaming charges whatsoever,
all of which makes the rental of expensive cellular hardware and/or services at the airport redundant
With a variety of packages on offer, VIPA assures prospective members that it caters for both business and leisure travelers.
When planning to enjoy a holiday in South Africa, you might wish to make use of this opportunity to provide peace of mind travel.

Happy New Year- World Cup 2010- don't spoil it!

2010 is upon us and suddenly the prospect of South Africa hosting the soccer World Cup in 2010 is no longer a distant dream opportunity but it is almost upon us. For many involved either directly, such as in the provision of affordable World Cup accommodation, or indirectly ; there is the hope that this may lead us out of the economic recession that was the mark of a difficult 2009. We hope, however, that all concerned in any way will be responsible in their approach to the many fans and visitors that we optimistically expect.
Travel blogs, websites and fan sites abound with the optimism of private homeowners seeking to make a fortune by letting out their homes. Undoubtedly those with homes in the vicinity of any of the stadia will be able to cash in on the opportunity, but they will not constitute a significant number of rooms.
I have been concerned at the number of reports in overseas press and websites that are creating the concern that enthusiastic fans and visitors are going to be ripped off during this momentous event. Some European websites are even urging overseas fans to stay at home and watch the matches on the TV. This is terrible news for any of us in the tourist and travel industry who realise that the world cup matches are not the culmination of an opportunity, but merely the beginning. This is a wonderful chance for us to showcase our beautiful country as an affordable destination to hundreds of millions of viewers all over the world, during that coming magic month. We want friends and visitors to go back and enthusiastically tell both friends and family how great it was and encourage others to visit- the tools at the disposal of these visitors such as the social networks, U tube and the like make them ambassadors and publicists in a way that no paid advertising could ever do. When providing World Cup 2010 accommodation we hope that guest houses, B n’ B’s, lodges and the like-accommodation providers outside of the hotel sector- will heed the call of many to limit the prices being charged to no more than the usual holiday season rates.
There was a very adverse report in the British newspaper the Telegraph, which stated that

“British visitors to South Africa during the World Cup next June could have to pay five times the usual rate for a hotel room. Hoteliers, official accommodation agents and tour operators are all taking advantage of the limited availability during the five-week tournament.”

They claimed that research had shown that visitors would expect increases in hotel rates of up to 480%. Of course, like all the sensationalist journalism, the comparison had been made not with the normal hotel holiday rates but with the lowest published off-season rates and, as everyone knows, in the depths of winter the rates are much lower to attract custom. Nevertheless this influential newspaper as well as the tabloid, The Daily Mirror are not doing any service to us by publishing this sort of report. The daily Mirror reported that “ Match Event Services, part-owned by a British firm based in Manchester, was expected to block-book 55 000 hotel rooms for the tournament in June.” “They would then take 30 percent commission, which is a huge amount. The norm is 10 percent and at most 20 percent for operators with whom one has done business for a long time,”.
Delia Fischer, a spokeswoman for Fifa, has admitted that Match, the official accommodation agent, is adding commissions of up to 30 per cent on all bookings, but she blames the rises on increased demand.
"There will be some difference between the prices charged in the normal off-season and what hotels may be charging next June," she said. "All the Match-approved hotels will be charging their high-season rates and a 30 per cent commission is quite standard."
If you are a if football fan from overseas reading this you may have been informed that Match has not been able to secure the 55,000 rooms that it set out to contract with accommodation providers; please be assured that this does not mean that there will be a shortage of accommodation or that you will have to be content with paying exorbitant charges. There is plenty of accommodation available in Cape Town which will be provided by the many privately run and owned accommodation establishments all of which are experienced in dealing with overseas guests, many of whom are Star Graded for your protection. Many of these chose not to contract their rooms to Match but to deal with guests looking for value for money accompanied by excellent accommodation directly, and you would be advised to look to this sector.
The Internet has all but replaced travel agents, and has empowered everyone with access to a computer to do thorough research and make their choices. We urge all our visitors to use these means to locate affordable World Cup 2010 accommodation. You are also invited to review some of our earlier posts for more information that will help you find an ideal combination of quality, comfort and price
Most of all we wish you a prosperous and peaceful New Year and hope that your New Year resolution is to make the African World Cup 2010 a success in every way

World Cup 2010 Accommodation -will you get cheated?

The countdown begins-- will you get scammed while booking accommodation??
The final draws for the matches have been done, amidst great celebration in Cape Town and the question in the minds of many, particularly our prospective visitors from overseas , is whether there will be a problem finding suitable accommodation at an affordable price?

Recently, the Western Cape office of the Consumer Protector (a watchdog organisation over consumer rights ) issued a warning to the South African public to be on their guard against scams from people offering holiday accommodation for the approaching festive season. Whilst this information was intended for the hundreds of thousands of our local tourists that flock to the Cape, we think that the same information should be available to prospective visitors from overseas. We are proud of hosting this first world cup series on the African continent and we are determined that visitors will leave with a good impression, not only of our ability to successfully host the event, but also of the friendliness of our people; convinced that South Africa is a tourist destination which offers good value for money, and filled with determination to return. Prospective visitors should therefore heed this advice.

"Consumers are urged to exercise caution when booking holiday accommodation especially if it is done via the internet and email," the Consumer Protector said in a statement. The Protector said it had seen a steady increase in the number of false advertisements placed mainly on free classified ad websites: "It is therefore crucial that consumers be aware of the risks posed when responding to offers without having applied a measure of caution."
The Consumer Protector warned that money should never be deposited into another's bank account without confirming the property existed and was available for rent. Consumers should not to be swayed by "photographs that show a stunning property". "Scam artists often forward false photographs in the hope of further enticing unsuspecting consumers”.
The consumer protector went on to advise consumers to be cautious of advertisements that supplied only an e-mail address or a cellphone number ; pointing out that the mobility of the Internet allowed such advertisements to be placed from anywhere. "Also, be careful if the deposit requested is substantially lower than the accommodation rental industry charges." The Consumer Protector said in most cases a 50 % deposit was requested by genuine accommodation service providers.

Firstly, let us give all those seeking accommodation reassurance that they are unlikely to have a problem finding accommodation and therefore one should not be hasty in this initial stage in making your choice of where to stay. On 8 December a statement was issued by the Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk while briefing the media in Cape Town stating :
“South Africa can confidently say that it has enough accommodation for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup,… after an extensive accommodation audit undertaken by the National Department of Tourism.”
“The results of the audit show that South Africa has more than 202 000 rooms available across the country and I am very satisfied that this will be enough to provide for the approximately 450 000 visitors we are expecting for the world cup. The audit was undertaken in cooperation with stakeholders from all nine provinces, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) and South African Tourism (SAT). He noted that the results of the audit showed the following:
* there are at least 202 712 rooms in the country, of which 107 119 are graded and
95 593 are ungraded
* there are at least 7 520 accommodation establishments in host cities (within a 50 kilometre radius of stadiums) with 100 853 rooms
So- now that you know that finding accommodation is not going to be a problem , please let us give you a few tips that will ensure that you get good value for your money and deal with reputable accommodation establishments. Firstly South Africa has an excellent process of grading of tourism accommodation establishments, which is conducted by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, which is your guarantee of quality and standard. The distinctive star logo is your assurance that the establishment has been graded- the renewal of which is done annually. The website of TGCSA states
“ star grading is an independent assessment of what our guests can expect to find at our accommodation. It is based on the overall quality but also takes into account the services and facilities you'd expect to a company that that particular star graded establishment. You may use the website of the tourism grading Council to look for suitable accommodation in whatever area you wish to stay.” Their website is
http://www.tourismgrading.co.za/
Visitors, both local and overseas who have spent a great deal of money travelling to Cape Town, or any other destination, would be well advised to choose an accommodation establishment, like 3 star graded Horizon Holiday Cottages, run by professionals with an appropriate grading to ensure that they do not encounter disappointment. For almost a year the press has been full of reports about the expectations of private property owners expecting to make a fortune during this windfall month. Unfortunately such persons have no experience in dealing with tourists or providing suitable accommodation and you may be disappointed if you deal with these individuals.
You might note that in the village suburb of Cape Town which is Noordhoek, where you will find inexpensive and affordable self catering accommodation, that out of some 55 establishments offering tourist accommodation, only 13 have been graded, together with our one hotel. Many of those offering accommodation, including bed and breakfast, do this as a sideline from a guest cottage or even a converted garage and may disappoint overseas tourists who expect to receive professional service. If you are dissatisfied with such accommodation there is nowhere for you to voice your dissatisfaction; if you deal with an accommodation establishment which has been graded by the Tourism Grading Council you have the opportunity to submit comment or complaint directly to them or leave a review of the establishment on the website.
We have just had guests from overseas who booked some of their wedding party in our affordable, self catering cottages, whilst they had booked themselves in a villa let privately in the neighbourhood, although they ended up spending most of the time at Horizon Holiday Cottages, where their guests enjoyed a relaxing stay and prepared for the wedding. This is the feedback that they gave us about their experience:
We were paying 3 times the price for this place per day; on the 3rd day the electricity ran out, and we were told to buy our own, because it was a prepaid system. The fridge did not work properly nor did the washing machine, all of which was advertised on this wonderful website, and it turn out to be nothing but a nightmare. The garden looked like something out of Africa and the whole place was just untidy
Chose wisely and be sure that you are dealing with an establishment of repute. The websites of professional accommodation providers , such as Horizon Holiday Cottages, usually have guest feedback on their websites, and belong to other associated organizations, such as the AA (Automobile association, GHASA (Guest house association) or Tourism Cape Town.
Finally we wish to let you know that we still have some accommodation for the World cup 2010.

Save with Go Cape Town card

You must have seen the red “topless” tour busses showing excited tourists the interesting sites of Cape Town and its environs? This is a great way to see Cape Town, in summer enjoying the open air views from the top of the City Sightseeing Open-Top Tour bus. You can chose from 2 tours which allow you to set your own pace by hopping off to explore over 33 attractions at the different stops - you've got all day to do it with one ticket.

The popular Cape Town V&A Waterfront needs no introduction as it is already world famous- but have you and your family visited the Two Oceans aquarium? Our southern tip of the African continent is the meeting place of two mighty oceans, the Indian and the Atlantic. The Two Oceans Aquarium at the V&A Waterfront showcases the wonderful diversity of marine life found in these two oceans. The Aquarium is one of the top attractions in Cape Town; with over 3000 living sea animals, including sharks, fishes, turtles and penguins to be seen in this spectacular underwater nature reserve.

Now there is more great news for visitors to our beautiful city: three of Cape Town's top attractions have teamed up to offer a discount card that will save you money and because it can be purchased on line it will save you having to queue.
City Sightseeing Open-Top Tour, Table Mountain Cableway and Two Oceans Aquarium have joined forces to launch the Go Cape Town Card, an all-inclusive ticket for the three popular tourism attractions. The card is available from 1 December 2009. Visitors pay only R360 per card, which includes a return trip on the Table Mountain Cableway, a visit to the Two Oceans Aquarium and a ride on an open-top City Sightseeing Bus. Children under 18 years pay R180 per card.
“The beauty of the card is that visitors no longer have to stand in queues at any of the attractions; as well as the three-month validity, allowing for more flexibility in planning your itinerary,” said Jillian Grindley-Ferris, brand and business manager of Two Oceans Aquarium.
The Go Cape Town card can be purchased at any of the three attractions, or online at www.webtickets.co.za from Tuesday December 1 this year. The cards are valid for three months from date of purchase. Avoid queues and save on your holiday by getting 3 great experiences in 1 with the new Go Cape Town Card. Marvel at the Two Oceans Aquarium, glide up Table Mountain Cableway to enjoy the awesome views
and marvel at beautiful Cape Town in comfort on the City Sightseeing tour bus!

If it is comfortable, self catering family accommodation that you are seeking for your Cape Town holiday please visit the website of affordable self catering Cape Town accommodation:
http://www.horizoncottages.co.za/accomm.html

Google Streetview adds our favourite places

Google and South African Tourism are on a search for the top three tourist locations in South Africa this summer, to bring images of South Africa’s best rated attractions to the public using Google’s Street View application, which was launched in South Africa on September 1 this year. Google Street View is an extension of the very popular Google Maps, which will allow users to ‘go down to street level’ and see what it looks like at a particular spot on a map. This is great news for tourists and visitors and even armchair tourists, who will now be able to do a “virtual tour” of Cape Town and other great cities through the Google website This comprises a series of panoramic, interactive placed on the exact spot from which they were taken. These images become extremely informative and powerful because Google has created the ability to generate hundreds of thousands of them, each +- 10 m from the next. Strung together, the panoramic images allow you to take a virtual walk or drive down a street in New York, London, and soon, Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Because some of the best places to visit are not always accessible by car, the Street View images will be collected using the Google Trike, which comprises three bicycle wheels and a mounted camera. It weighs about 110 kg and comes with a very fit cyclist, who will be hard to miss in his branded apparel. A shortlist of 20 locations has been drawn up for the public to choose from. Now it’s up to you to vote for the places you would most like to be rated as the most popular. This is great news by the always innovative Google to publicize our beautiful country ahead of the 2010 World Cup
This is the chance Capetonians have been waiting for to show the whole country the beauty of places that one can visit from our affordable holiday accommodation, including Simon’s Town, Boulders Beach, Chapman’s Peak , Franschhoek Winelands, and more of Cape Town’s top 100 attractions. The Trike will be available for a short time during the summer. Once it has finished its journey, the images it takes will be made available on Google Maps’ Street View.
Google South Africa head Stephen Newton stated
“We want it to be a really fun, new aspect of the website. Users will be able to virtually tour historical monuments or scenic locations before visiting– or check out which side of a football stadium they need to be on before leaving the house.”
The Google website states :
We're working hard to bring Street View to South Africa, so we've created the Google Trike to go to the amazing tourist spots that can't be reached by cars. We want you to tell us your favourite 3 places that you think the Trikes should visit first. So get voting now!
For more information on this initiative and to cast your vote, visit the website and cast your vote
http://www.google.com/intl/en_za/mobile/trike
Chose from the list of :

Newlands Cricket Stadium
Kruger National Park
Blyde River Canyon
Cathedral Peak
Addo Elephant Park
Simon’s Town and Boulders Beach
St Lucia/iSimangaliso Wetlands
Maropeng and Sterkfontein Caves
Mandela House, Hector Pieterson Memorial and Soweto highlights
Isandlwana, Rorke’s Drift and the Valley of the Zulu Kings
Bloemfontein Houses of Parliament
Franschhoek Winelands
Apartheid Museum
Big Hole, Kimberley
Tsitsikamma National Park
Chapman’s Peak and Cape coastal panoramas
Constitution Hill
Golf course highlights
Durban Waterfront

The South Peninsula of Cape Town

The South Peninsula of Cape Town

Visitors seeking holiday accommodation in Cape Town are often confused when the locals talk about the Southern Suburbs and the South Peninsula. Let me try and clarify these two small regions for you.

The southern suburbs of Cape Town are those which stretch from the city towards the coast of Muizenberg; diverse and interesting, but away from the undoubted attractions of the beaches. The South Peninsula is one of the most popular holiday regions in the Western Cape, and stretches from Muizenberg on the False Bay coast through to Simonstown, and around the Atlantic seaboard towards Cape Point from where the road meanders through typical beach side villages; Scarborough, Kommetjie and Noordhoek. In the South Peninsula the visitor will find a series of charming coastal towns all of which have quite a significant history and all of which have undoubted attraction for those who are seeking a relaxed coastal lifestyle. Here you can find an almost limitless choice of beach holiday accommodation , from self catering, bed and breakfast to the most upmarket guesthouses. Don't be surprised if you find the people, both young and old or walking barefoot in the town in their baggies, as the area is truly laid-back.

Muizenberg has a long history of popularity for beach holidays and was extremely popular in Victorian times although it deteriorated during the 70’s-90’s, but it is rapidly revitalising itself. It has village charm but you will also find seafront mansions built by wealthy Victorian businessmen. The beach is long with a shallow slope and ever rolling waves, making it very popular with both swimmers and surfers alike. You are most likely to find the cheapest holiday accommodation in this suburb. Along the beach at surfer’s corner you will find beautifully restored Victorian shops and apartments together with cheerful and inexpensive restaurants where you can breakfast or lunch while watching the surfers at play.
The pretty stone built Edwardian era railway station building at Muizenberg is a notable attraction, and accommodates both a popular restaurant and several antique shops.
From this station one can take the train down the Southern line which follows the coast of False Bay through the suburbs to Simonstown. Visitors will find this an interesting and relaxing diversion and your kids will love looking out over the sea and the tidal pools from the train window.

Rubbing shoulders with Muizenberg is exclusive St James, with Mansions and luxury holiday homes facing directly toward False Bay along a stretch which is known as millionaire’s mile. Visitors will undoubtedly have seen many pictures and postcards of the beautiful tidal pool with its brightly coloured bathing boxes at St James, as it is a favoured subject for many photographers. Here you will also find the historic cottage of Cecil John Rhodes which is open to the public as a museum.

Once you pass through you are sure to be enchanted by the historic fishing town of Kalk Bay ; so named because of the lime extracted from sea shells and used for the construction of buildings in the 1800’s. The main road of this little suburb is lined with charming Victorian shops with apartments above and has become notable not only for its unconventional and Bohamian lifestyle but also as a browsing destination for antiques , crafts and art galleries for both locals and visitors. On weekends, winter and summer, you will find it busy, although never too crowded. There are many good restaurants in the area; probably the most notable of which is the Brass Bell, situated on the sea side of the station, and which has been near for decades, becoming something of an institution. It has a selection of dining areas all of which have great views of the sea. My personal favourite is to dine in the deck area where you can eat with the waves breaking alongside. Kalk bay remains a working fishing harbour and you will find a visit to the small harbour interesting, where you might be able to buy fresh fish from the boats. In the harbour are a few upmarket restaurants, but you can also stand in line with the locals to sit on benches and eat at Kalky’s Fish ‘n Chips which is reputed to have the best in Cape Town

Around the corner is Fish Hoek which is best known as the only town in the Western Cape where the sale of liquor is not allowed. Latterly, it has permitted a few licensed restaurants and pubs. Although most of the South Peninsula became inhabited early on by settlers, it seems strange that this town with its beautiful, sheltered beach was only laid out as a township in 1918 and has very little of historic value. You should not be put off by this, however, because there is a long stretch of white sand across this sheltered bay which is an ideal bathing spot for families, young surfers, and safe for children. There is a concrete walkway that follows the shore for a long distance and makes both a pleasant walk as well as an opportunity to watch the whales when they appear in September to November for mating and calving.

Historic Simonstown is the last real town on the False Bay side, gained its name from the Dutch Governor, Simon van der Stel who personally surveyed False Bay in 1687 and recommended it as a sheltered safe alternative anchorage to Table Bay in winter. The main road of Simonstown, St George’s street, is known as “historic mile” and one can have an interesting walk admiring the selection of beautiful buildings; some of which date to the Dutch period in the 18 th century, but most of which were only built from when the British took occupation in 1806. During the days of the British Royal Navy there were many hotels in the main street and most of these historic buildings have now been converted into holiday accommodation. Simonstown’s business fathers have been very successful in attracting tourists, because of the interesting town centre and the wonderful beaches and the naval base. Sometimes it can be a little too popular as the tour buses offload the masses for a break and a bit of shopping en route to Cape Point. There are some interesting museums here, including the Simonstown Museum which is based in the old magistrates residence, dating back to about 1777; the Naval museum and the Heritage Museum. Explore also the historic small Muslim area above Jubilee Square, the town centre.

The beaches of Simonstown are generally sheltered from wave action both by the little bays and also large boulders off the shore, making this an ideal spot for families who would like their children to be able to swim and play in safety. Very few have not seen pictures or heard of the cute African penguins that now inhabit one of the best beaches, which is boulders Beach, just outside of the town. Until a short while ago it was possible to swim alongside the penguins that took over the beach in 1985, but now one will have to be content to admire them from the walk that skirts the beach.

Along the road from Simonstown to Cape Point you will see a few dotted beach cottages, some so far from the road as it climbs towards the point that you wonder how people get done to them.

From here there is a coastal road which is truly spectacular and passes through Scarborough, which is a genuine beach cottage village, popular with retirees and those who can afford to have a weekend home close to the city. You will have plenty of time to admire the sea and the beautiful beaches as you drive along the coast, before spotting the lighthouse at Slangkop, which towers above another seaside village, called Kommetjie. This village, apart from being known as a good spot for catching crayfish, is extremely popular with surfers who like to ride its rolling waves. Long Beach stretches from this village right across the bay to the last town of the South Peninsula, which is Noordhoek.

Noordhoek is quite different from any of the towns that I have described. It was originally a farming settlement occupied from about the 1700s, growing fruit and vegetables for the naval settlement in Simonstown. Over the past few decades it has grown considerably in size but properties here tend to be much larger than the average for Cape Town, as it is still deemed to be agricultural. Plot sizes average 1-2 acres, with the result that it is popular for those who keep and ride horses and the only town that I had seen which has special road crossings- not for pedestrians -but for horses. You will find many attractions here- restaurants, galleries and the like, and because of the size of the properties many owners have more than one building on their properties; the choice of holiday accommodation here is extensive both in range and in price. There are some exclusive and very expensive lodges, B’n B’s and guest houses, but you will also find affordable self catering cottages such as Horizon Holiday Cottages where you and your family will feel at home in the ideal location to explore those wonderful and interesting area.

Not for nothing is Noordhoek known as cape Town's best kept secret destination
Please see our website and book your affordable holiday accommodation today

A Guide to World Cup 2010 Accommodation in Cape Town

With the World Cup just less than a year away, we note many Internet visits to our affordable self catering accommodation from both local and overseas visitors for accommodation, but it is obvious that people are shopping around to see what is available. It has been said that there will be a shortage of accommodation, but we think that it will depend to a large extent on what the tourists are looking for. Cape town offers a large selection of guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments and self catering holiday accommodation that far exceeds the number of hotel beds available. We think that there will be plenty of choice but, in order to get what you want, it is a good idea to book early.
In order to help you choose where to stay and where to find the type of accommodation that will best suit your needs, we thought to give you a brief guide to greater Cape Town and what it offers.
Undoubtedly, if you want to be close to the World Cup stadium and all of the exciting night life of Cape Town and the nearby waterfront, you should choose accommodation in the nearby suburbs of Green Point or Sea Point and the Cape Town city bowl. Expect however to pay higher prices than in the outlying suburbs.
City Bowl : Generally the upmarket city bowl suburbs of Tamboerskloof, Higgovale, De Waterkant, Oranjezicht and Vredehoek will offer luxury but very expensive accommodation. In the city itself however you will find backpackers lodges and other inexpensive accommodation. Green Point and Sea Point are near to the both the stadium and the famous Waterfront, and all the night life action.
Atlantic seaboard : on what is known as the Atlantic seaboard you will find the exclusive residential suburbs of Clifton, Camps Bay, Bakoven, Bantry Bay all of which are fairly close to the Stadium. The Atlantic seaboard comprises some of the most expensive and exclusive properties in Cape Town as they generally have spectacular views across the ocean and are close to the most popular beaches. If you are looking for accommodation in the top end of the market then this is where you should find it. This is also the area where the beautiful people hang out, and you will find plenty of nightlife and a wide choice of restaurants and bars.
Hout Bay : Quite a lot further out is the fishing village of Hout bay, where you will find a mixture of very expensive and more affordable accommodation and there is a lot to choose from. If you are looking for a quiet spot to relax between the matches this could be a good choice, although you should not expect to enjoy any nightlife.
Noordhoek/Kommetjie : at the southern end of the peninsula but some 30 minutes drive from the centre of Cape Town are the villages of Noordhoek and Kommetjie which are a great choice if you want to have a quiet relaxing time and also enjoy some of the most breathtaking coastal scenery to be found anywhere. Noordhoek has a wide choice of accommodation from luxury to budget and you will generally find large 1 acre properties which offer just one or two cottages, making it very “un-crowded” .It is the last bit of countryside remaining in the greater Cape Town area and easily accessible to Cape Town by road; mostly freeway. Kommetjie – a surfer’s paradise- is a little further out where one is likely to find very affordable accommodation.
Southern suburbs : There are a large number of suburbs which stretch toward the False Bay coast from the city and these include older mainly Victorian suburbs including Mowbray, Rosebank, Wynberg, and Claremont. Here you can expect to find reasonably affordable guesthouse accommodation, and if you are not planning to drive, it will be easy to get to the city using the metro rail system, and public transport from the city will be plentiful.
Further out are the beautiful valley suburbs of Constantia and Tokai. Constantia is home to the mink and manure set, and generally comprises exclusive homes on large properties. Expect to pay a higher than average price to stay here and to have to rely upon hiring a car to get around.
South Peninsula : On the coast of beautiful False Bay you will find the interesting older suburbs of Muizenberg, St James, Kalk bay, Fish Hoek and Simonstown. Muizenberg is still battling to shake off its run down reputation, although it does have a great beach. St James is known as “millionaire’s mile” and has been a choice holiday destination for the wealthy since the early days. There is not much accommodation available here nor in the more bohemian Kalk Bay nearby, and prices will be expensive. Downside - in winter when the World Cup will be on, expect to lose the sun behind the mountain in the early afternoon, and to have to go to bed early. Fish Hoek, a little further of the line has plenty of affordable choice, but has often been described as “God’s waiting room” or the destination of choice for the “newly wed and the nearly dead”.
Much more popular is the historic Naval Town of Simonstown. Although also a quiet town, the major attraction is a mile of historic buildings and the African penguins to be found on Boulders and Seaforth beaches.
Northern suburbs: There is bound to be plenty of affordable accommodation in the northern suburbs of Cape Town which include Durbanville; Bellville and Kraaifontein. Unfortunately you are bound to have to deal with heavy traffic in and out of the city and these are not only a long way from where the action is, but there is no nightlife or any other form of diversion. Accommodation is bound to be cheap, but this fringe of our city is dead.
Cape Town offers a great diversity to suit every need, so you should find what suits you. Expect a friendly welcome and some wonderful sunny days interspersed with the rainy ones. If you are looking for value for money please do try us at www.horizonholidaycottages.co.za