Cape Town has become a highly acclaimed international destination and is a desirable South African destination for tourists. The South African summer occurs with winter in the Northern hemisphere; which entices large numbers of tourists o Cape Town during December /January at the same tome as the local people take their annual holiday to enjoy the wonderful beaches , amazing scenery, and wonderful attractions. The results is in difficulty in securing affordable holiday accommodation, high prices; slow traffic laden roads and overloaded facilities.
Most tourists visit South Africa between November to April, which is why the rainy season which is Winter in Cape Town is known as the Green season – stretching from late Autumn (May) to Spring
( October). During the winter months in Cape Town tourist attractions are not very busy and there is little traffic. Restaurant proprietors will accord a warm personal welcome to their establishment. This is the season where one will find the lowest Cape Town accommodation rates, and many restaurants offer winter specials to entice clients. Care hire is usually much cheaper at this time.
Surprisingly it is not always cold in winter in Cape Town; the average daytime temperature ranges from 10 to 20 degrees C, with many warm and windless days where the temperature rises above the 20s. (70 degrees F). During this time there are may lovely, warm sunny days with cool evenings. Cape Town does have winter rainfall but recently rain seems to have become more dispersed throughout the year. It can, however, often rain for successive days on end.
Winter is when the Cape is visited by the annual Whale migration, and many whales are to be seen in False Bay from July to October. In September the self proclaimed Whale capital of South Africa Hermanus, hosts the eagerly anticipated Whales and Wheels festival- being able to see these huge creature close up makes a holiday in the winter worthwhile. False Bay, Cape Town affords great opportunity for watching whales at close proximity where the road follows the coast. It is very exciting to see the great tails (flukes) of these gargantuan creatures as they frolic in the bay.
If one is faced with cold wet, winter days there are many indoor attractions to enjoy , including these
family activities.
Simonstown has the famous Warrior Toy Museum enjoyed by kids of all age, with its exhibition of toys, scale model die cast cars, boats, trains, soldiers, airplanes dolls, and other toys. There is a working train display.
The Scratch Patch, in Simonstown has a ground floor with a huge cave, the floor of which is strewn with polished semi-precious gem stones. For a small cost you can fill a bag or cup with gemstones to take away .
Castle of Good Hope : Cape Towns impressive stone was built around 1666- 1669, by the Dutch settlers. This massive stone fort has tours of the dungeons, and includes military and nautical exhibits and a collection of historic art and artworks..
Cape Town has many museums. The most popular with is the South African Museum. Exhibits include huge skeletons of various species of dinosaur, as well as beautifully recreated dinosaur scenes.
There is a collection of whale and skeletons, which can be viewed from all floors, and includes a 20.5 metre blue whale skeleton, and casts other whales.
The museum also has many natural history exhibits as well as Shark World exhibit with a life-size, 2+ meter high model of the jaws of the Megatooth Shark, probably the largest predator the world has ever known.
The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront (V&A Waterfront) is the most popular attraction of Cape Town. On rainy days the highlight for children is surely the Two Oceans Aquarium. There are many fascinating and colourful fish exhibits in tanks, but everyone loves to gaze at the shoals of fish and sharks swimming past the glass sides of the underwater tanks . Penguin feedings are popular with families.
Canal Walk is a just a short drive toward the West Coast highway from Cape Town, and can keep your family busy for a whole day. The MTN Science Centre is an interactive science centre where kids can have fun, while learning about scientific discoveries and technological innovations. Canal Walk is the largest regional shopping mall in Africa, with an impressive range of shops, restaurants, and cinemas. Children will enjoy the Place of Play which is the largest indoor and outdoor play park in South Africa. It has almost every type of fun activity including a huge jungle gym and laser beam room, and even a teddy bear stuffing machine.
Groot Constantia offers an enjoyable family venue. This beautiful wine estate with it 300 year old manor house offers Treasure hunts which gives kids the opportunity to explore and learn more about this historical Estate. Cellar Tours are also offered. The manor house is a magnificent example of Cape Dutch architecture open to the public and houses a collection of period furniture and ceramics.
Coincidentally, this coincides with the prime safari season in Southern Africa, so if you are planning a safari in the Winter or Spring, include Cape Town in your itinerary, and take advantage of low available winter special accommodation rates.
