Cape Town is a fantastic city for many reasons. But one of the highlights is the fact that there are so many stunning natural habitats to explore in or near the city. That means you can enjoy restaurants, bars and attractions in the city one minute, and be enjoying the joy of African wildlife the next.

So where to head to experience the South African countryside during your stay in Cape Town? Here are a few suggestions.

The Cape Peninsula

The Cape Peninsula is probably the most accessible natural location near to Cape Town. This is home to the Peninsula mountain chain which stretches 60 km from Signal Hill to Cape Point. It is packed full of stunning valleys, pristine beaches and picturesque bays.

It is also home to the fabulous Table Mountain. You’ll find plenty to do on Table Mountain, whatever your fancy. If you want to relax and enjoy spectacular views, you should take the cable car to the top and enjoy the views over Cape Town and the Cape of Good Hope. You could also hike up the mountain and enjoy the rich variety of flora and the beautiful natural landscape along the way. One of the best options for this is the Hoerikwaggo Trail, a three-day luxury hike, but there are others to choose from.

Alternatively, you could go rock climbing on its steep slopes, and then abseil or hang-glide down from the top.

Boulders Beach

Another highlight of the Cape Peninsula near Cape Town is Boulders Beach. This sheltered beach is well known mainly for the colony of African penguins that decided to make it their home back in 1982. It is a residential area, but that hasn’t stopped the penguins from settling here, and you can see them quite close up. There are about 3,000 penguins in the colony, and it is an important protected area due to the vulnerability of the species.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden

Facing the eastern side of Table Mountain you will find your very own Garden of Eden in the Kirstenbosch botanical garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is acclaimed as the best botanical garden in the country, perhaps even in the world. It was set up in 1913, and its aim is to protect the flora indigenous to South Africa. Including plants from the region and from many areas of South Africa, it has over 7,000 species in total, many of which are under threat. This makes for a very chilled out afternoon trip from Cape Town exploring the 36-acre garden.

Helderberg Nature Reserve

The Helderberg Nature Reserve is situated on the slopes of Helderberg Mountain in Somerset West. It is an easy drive from Cape Town, and here you will find a stunning natural setting for a large number of flora and fauna, especially birds. There are plenty of activities to get involved in here, not least walking and hiking, with numerous trails on offer. Cruises and fishing are also options.

Enjoy the Natural Splendour of Cape Town

If you go to Cape Town then make sure you make time to enjoy a few of the natural treats on offer in the surrounding region. They are easy to reach, spectacular to view and will make the perfect day trip from the city.

Author Bio: Rachel Hill is a Southern Africa Travel specialist, a company specialising in luxury, tailor-made Cape Town holidays, as well as holidays to other destinations in Southern Africa. Our experienced consultants will help you design your very own luxury holiday, and will be happy to provide you with a free quote.

Category: Travel
Keywords: Cape Town