Cape Town Tips

[Witwat]

Currently booked to go to Cape Town for a week in January. Have scared myself slightly by the crime stories and stories from SA friends and family here in Blighty.

We want to do a mix of Cape Town, Winelands, and maybe 1-2 nights a couple of hours drive away. Half thinking about adding a few days in Namibia but aware this is costly.

Is it better to stay in an hotel or a nice airbnb, in Cape Town?
Is it safe to get uber/taxies, or is it better to rent our own jeep?
Both flights are overnight, is it worth upgrading to biz?

Husband and daughter just returned
Uber safe and easily available
You can also higher drivers to take you on trips to see the sights
Winelands beautiful and wine remarkably cheap
Need to be aware as you would in many other places
Enjoy your trip

Definitely stay in a hotel. Preferably one near others. It won't be as authentic, but it will be much, much safer.

You will have a lovely trip. It's beautiful.

Hotel much safer and won’t be so affected by load shedding. Über is fine, safer than hiring a car and driving yourself.

Thank you for the tips!

I suspect it might be better to get a driver for more scenic routes, so we can stop off (if possible) et cetera. Might it be better to organise this through a hotel rather than independently?

What are people’s thoughts about staying in Cape Town (De Waterkant) vs Simon’s Town or Camp’s Bay on the beach?

They’re all lovely but different areas. Waterfront is more city like but has lots of waterfront restaurants and the shopping centre, safe to wander at night. Camps bay is upmarket with a Miami type vibe.

simons town is also lovely and has fantastic coffee and foodie places, on the beach but quite far out for sightseeing. FWIW we stayed in both the waterfront and camps bay to get a different taste of it.

we hired a car for day trips to the cape but took Ubers at night if needed.

First, a week probably isn't long enough to experience everything offered by Cape Town and its surrounding areas. Chapman's Peak Drive from Hout Bay (which is lovely) to Noordhoek is a must do, as is Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Garden, and Robben Island.

I would be inclined to stay on the Waterfront for the central location, views, and getting about.

Received wisdom in Cape Town is not to flaunt your Rolex, and to keep jewellery to a minimum - and if unfortunate enough to be targeted, don't try to fight off the attacker(s). Jewellery can be replaced; you can't.

We're currently in Franschhoek in the Winelands, about 45 minutes' drive from Cape Town, where we have a house and come two or three times a year. It's never boring, has some great restaurants, as well as museums, and is surrounded by amazing scenery and some fabulous wineries where it's always worth stopping for lunch. One of our favourite restaurants here:

https://lapetiteferme.co.za/franschhoek-restaurant-wine-farm-with-view/

Any tips for good priced car hire? Looking to book for Easter & it's £££

It's safe, just be sensible as you would in any city. Get ubers, we have stayed in Camps Bay and used to get the red hop on/off bus to the city and surrounding areas during the day, staying local at night. Also stayed at the Waterfront. How about a few days in the Kruger on safari instead of a Namibia. Fly to Nelspruit and either hire a car or get the lodge to pick you up.

Take my advice only hire from the big well known car hire firms like Avis, Hertz etc,,, Yes it's £££ but we've made the mistake of hiring from local SA companies before (including last Easter), and regretted it! Don't mean to cause offence on here but some things in SA can be very cowboyish.

The waterfront area is a great place to stay and felt very safe. We stayed at The Table Bay and the concierge sorted out all of our excursions for us. We just told them where we wanted to go & they arranged it. No hassle at all & I imagine they know best who the reputable companies are.
Maybe this would be an option if you stay at a hotel?

@DancingFerret fabulous restaurant; you lucky thing to be able to eat there often! We ate there while on our honeymoon.

@Witwat You are going in high season so decide if you want city or Camps Bay. I’m not that keen on the Waterfront area (you could be anywhere) but we prefer guest houses. SA has amazing ones. Getting one might be tricky but start looking now.

We always hired a car at the airport with no issues but always pre booked from well known companies. SA people always give you tips on safety and driving. Don’t take anything of value and don’t leave it on show in the car at any time. We have never had a driver and never needed one. Driving is easy!

Overall the Winelands and the Garden route are great to visit from Cape Town. Namibia really isn’t that close! I would go there on another holiday. My extra days would be going along the garden route to Knysna. Flying to Namibia costs far more and for what?