Fearless in the Mother City – four hand-picked winter adventures in Cape Town
When it comes to feeling alive, little else beats taking to the open road, hiking through dramatic landscapes, propelling yourself off mountains, taking an ice-cold dip in the Atlantic Ocean and encounters of the marine kind. And it’s possible to find such live-in-the-moment experiences all packed into one place in Cape Town. The Mother City offers adrenaline and adventure in spades for action-loving travellers.
Lean in closer, we want to let you in on a little secret – winter is one of the best times to visit Cape Town. And while that might not seem to be the case, at first, the crowds are nowhere to be seen, you can enjoy lower rates, escape the scorching heat, experience waterfalls gushing at full force and fynbos at its greenest. Between June and November, you might also be lucky enough to see Southern Right Whales as they migrate from Antarctica to the southern tip of Africa.
Here are four hand-picked Cape Town adventures that are great to do in winter:
Hiking in the national parks — for the intrepid and outdoorsy types
Cape Town has hundreds of hiking trails to choose from of varying difficulty levels. If you’re having a tough time picking the best one, Table Mountain National Park is always a good starting point. Trails along this iconic mountain vary from family-friendly to challenging, and thanks to the cable car you can catch a lift on your way back down. Meanwhile, Cape Point Nature Reserve is the spot to explore if you are after lighthouses, pristine beaches, baboon encounters and a full-on nature experience. If you want something to get the heart racing, why not abseil down a waterfall, go kloofing or jump off cliffs into ice-cold natural pools with Abseil Africa.
Motorbike tours — for those who were born to ride
Riding a Harley-Davidson through a mountain pass, along one of the world’s most scenic roads is on many a biker’s bucket list. Makani Motorcycle Rentals and Tours helps to bring this dream alive. Pick from a selection of itineraries that take you through some of the best passes and scenic landscapes that the country has to offer. If you’d prefer a much more chilled ride about, Cape Town Vespa Rentals lets you explore the Mother City on the most classic of scooters. If you’d like to dial up the speed, Cape Sidecar Adventures won’t let you down. Whatever your need for speed, Cape Town’s got you covered for an adventure-fuelled road trip.
Sea adventures— for responsible marine encounters
Whale watching in Cape Town is truly awe-inspiring, as large pods of humpbacks and southern right whales migrate to warmer waters to calve and nurse their young during the winter months. Seeing one of the ocean’s largest mammals up close won’t be an experience you will easily forget, but you’re also likely to see them from the shore during this time. Expect to see an array of other marine creatures and birds on these ocean safaris, and be sure to choose a responsible operator that follows the necessary guidelines and safety procedures. The classic extreme marine experience – shark cage diving – is also available in the waters around the Cape. Descend into the deep blue for a chance to see great whites, copper sharks and Seven Gill Cow Sharks.
Aerial activities — for adrenaline-addicts and those who love to fly
Without a doubt one of the most unique ways to see a wine farm is with Cape Town Zipline Adventures which whizzes you between 12 platforms over Constantia’s fynbos and vineyard-covered slopes. Paragliding off Signal Hill and Lion’s Head is another way to view the city from a bird’s eye view, and if the vantage point is still not high enough, you can jump out of an airplane with Skydive Cape Town.
Why stay with us?
The Cape Milner is located in central Cape Town, just a few minutes from the beach, mountain trails, Constantia winelands and the CBD. Sitting at the base of Table Mountain, in the funky neighbourhood of Tamboerskloof, it offers a relaxing conservatory-style restaurant and bar, pool deck and rooftop lounge where your adrenaline levels can stabilise. You can enjoy a peaceful night’s rest and dig into a delicious breakfasts before embarking on the following day’s adventures.
