A Guide for Having Fun in Cape Town

When you’re booking your next safari, there are several locations that you could include on your trip. If you’re looking for the best time possible, however, then you should make sure that your next safari includes some time in Cape Town. One of the most exciting cities in South Africa, Cape Town provides a lot to see and do, making it a great base of operations for your next holiday.

If you’re thinking about going on a safari near Cape Town, it’s important to learn about some of the different ways that you can have fun in this city. Here is a quick guide to a Cape Town safari that you can use to plan out your next vacation so that it includes as much fun and excitement as possible.

Stroll Through the City Centre

When you first arrive in Cape Town, the best thing to do is to familiarize yourself with the community by talking a walk through the city centre. The Cape Town city centre is relatively small and easy to navigate, meaning you should be able to explore the town without needing to hire a guide. While you’re walking through the different neighborhoods, make sure to take some time to view the scenery, which includes both the Atlantic Ocean and the towering Table Mountain.

While you’re walking around, make sure to stop by Greenmarket Square, where you can browse interesting African crafts and the Company’s Gardens, where you can find museums and art galleries.

Have a Drink at the Waterfront

After a day of exploring the city, nothing is better than kicking back with a nice relaxing drink. If you want to unwind during your Cape Town safari, you should head over to the V&A Waterfront, which is one of the most popular sites in the city.

You’ll find a wide variety of ways to relax at the V&A Waterfront. In addition to a wide array of restaurants and bars where you can relax at the end of a long day, there are several boutiques where you can do a little shopping as well as interesting museums where you can learn more about African culture. If you visit Cape Town near the end of the day, you could even book a sunset cruise.

Spend Some Time in the Sand

When most people think of a vacation, they imagine soaking up the sun on a sand swept beach. Fortunately, if you decide to visit Cape Town on your next safari, you’ll be just a quick drive away from some of the best beaches in Africa.

The beach that you should visit largely depends on what type of fun for which you’re looking. Camps Bay, for example, is probably the best beach for families, as there are wide open spaces and several nearby shops and restaurants. If you want to do some swimming, then you should probably head over to Kalk Bay or Muizenberg where the waters are much warmer. Whatever your idea of fun, there’s a Cape Town beach that will be perfect for you.

Best South African Safari Activities on a Budget

Although there are a variety of locations you could visit on your next African safari, South Africa is the best choice if you want as much fun and excitement on your trip as possible. There are a countless things to see and do in South Africa, and whether you’re looking for relaxation or adventure, you’ll be able to find an activity that’s right for you.

While visiting South Africa is a great choice for anyone planning their next vacation, it’s a particularly good option for those traveling on a budget. The country is filled with great activities that you can book for a low-cost, making for the ideal vacation. Here are a few of the most exciting, cost-effective activities in South Africa that you should consider when you’re planning your next African safari vacation.

One of the World’s Highest Jumps

If you’re a thrill seeker, then there’s almost no better place to visit in South Africa, particularly if you’re looking to save money on your trip. South Africa provides many opportunities for pulse bounding fun, including some of the best bungee jumping options in the entire world.

Bloukrans Bungee is known as the highest bridge bungee jumping opportunity in the entire world, and is a can’t miss activity in this popular safari destination. Best of all, bungee jumping from this location is extremely affordable. Whether you’re an experienced bungee jumper or have always wanted to try this activity, Bloukrans Bungee is a great South African recreational opportunity.

Take an Extended Trip in Kruger Park

When your primary reason for going on safari is seeing Africa’s big five, then there’s no better place in South Africa, particularly when you visit Kruger National Park. One of the most popular spots in all of Africa, Kruger National Park is a location that you must experience for yourself, and is one of the best places in the world to your exotic animal life.

To see all that Kruger National Park has to offer, you should consider taking a five-day safari tour, which is surprisingly affordable and will provide you plenty of time to explore the park and see every member of Africa’s big five.

Ride the Orange River

Spending some time on the water is a great choice wherever you’re planning your next vacation, but if you choose to book a safari in South Africa, you’ll be able to enjoy world-class rafting on the gorgeous Orange River.

The Orange River is the longest in all of South Africa, and offers some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the country. While rafting down this river, you’ll be able to forget about the stresses of your everyday life while seeing some of the most beautiful sites that you’ve ever experienced. A four-day trip down the orange river is an affordable, unforgettable activity that you should be sure to book for your next South African safari.

South Africa is home to almost limitless activities, even if you’re traveling on a budget. Think about what you want out of your next vacation, and you should be able to choose a few budget friendly options that will guarantee you have the most fun-filled African safari vacation possible.

Jill Liphart for Roho Ya Chui

What is Ecotourism, and How is it Transforming African Safari Tours?

Chances are good that if you have looked into booking an African safari vacation, you have encountered the word “ecotourism.” This term can be confusing since it is used in many different ways by different organizations.

At its heart, ecotourism refers to a method of travel that minimizes your negative impacts on the environment and local communities. Many also include education as a necessary component of ecotourism; they believe that visitors to a region should learn about the local ecosystem and the lives of the people that live within it. Whereas normal tourism may seek to change the appearance of a destination to make it more of a pleasure-focused experience, ecotourism intends to transform the perspective of travellers by introducing them to new ways of thinking, living and acting.

Abiding 100 percent to the principles of ecotourism is tough in our consumer-focused economy, especially given the impact of our growing populations around the world. Yet, many ecotourism safari tours split the difference by minimizing their impact on the environment, promoting conservation causes and enlightening travellers while still providing a comfortable experience.

Ecotourism Definition and The Importance of Education

The concept of ecotourism has been defined in many different ways by different organizations. These organizations themselves even shift the definition over time to reflect the goals and realities of ecotourism.

Perhaps the best definition comes from The International Ecotourism Society (TIES)

Ecotourism is now defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education” (TIES, 2015).  Education is meant to be inclusive of both staff and guests.

TIES only recently solidified education’s role within their definition, but they have a good reason for it.

People who adhere to ecotourism principles believe that anyone who visits a destination should not just enjoy the exact same comforts they find back home, nor should they be presented with the same simplified “cartoon” version of the locale they might see on TV. Instead, the goal is to momentarily share the life of others there, including both the local people and animals.

By understanding more about how the Maasai people in Tanzania maintain their nomadic traditions, for instance, you can see how the lives they lead are a conscious choice that brings them satisfaction. You can also learn about their history of strict conservatism and dedication to the rights of living beings, including their refusal to eat game and birds.

Similarly, learning about the unique beauty and characteristics of the white rhino can help you understand why it is so important to prevent their extinction.

Conservation Ecotourism

Most public parks and private organizations in Africa now have a dedicated conservation component to their operations. Instead of trading off the sanctity of their ecosystems and preferred lifestyles for the sake of tourism income, they adapt their visitor programs to have a minimal impact and include significant educational components. Additionally, many of the proceeds from visitors are now donated to wildlife programs or used to directly fund operations like animal rescues.

For instance, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya uses funds generated by visitors to support innovations and advancements in wildlife protection. These funds help them do things like pioneer the use of aerial drones and image-recognition AIs, which track wildlife movements and detect poachers before they can make their move.

Learn Some of the Three Best Ecotourism Safari Tours to Try

Africa is rich with organizations and programs offering transformative ecotourism experiences. We will cover three of the most interesting examples in our next post for you to take a look at.

You can also find many other ecotourism-related experiences within our curated African safari tour packages. Start planning your trip today with our helpful suggestions, and contact us if you are interested in custom ecotourism safari tours to match your interests.

Jill Liphart for Roho Ya Chui