Cape Town in South Africa

In the point where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian, in the southern part of the continent of Africa, Cape Town is a city accompanied by a lot of stories and myths. The port of Capetown is one of the biggest and most important in the world. The city bursts with life, as many different nationalities and cultures meet here, at the city of the Cape of Good Hope (the Cape is located 50 km south of the city). In this beautiful city even transient visitors can't help but devote a few million brain cells to storing images of its grandeur: its striking Table Mountain backdrop, its glorious beaches and enchanting vineyards, its rugged landscapes and its strange and wonderful plants and animals.

Heart Transplant The first human heart transplant was performed on the 3suprd/sup December 1967 by Dr. Christiaan Barnard at the Groote Schuur hospital in Cape Town

For thousands of years Cape Town was inhabited by the Khoi. Cape Town's European history began in 1652, when Jan van Riebeeck established a trading post there on behalf of the VOC (Dutch East Indies Company). The first European settlers were mainly Dutch and German, with some French Huguenots that had to flee from their home country. The first settlers soon explored the inland and founded the cities of Stellenbosch and Paarl in today's Cape Winelands. The Voortrekkers (Pioneers of European descent) started from here to explore and settle the rest of South Africa's inland.

Today Cape Town is the legislative capital of South Africa. It is a world-class cosmopolitan city with numerous sites of historical significance, and a lively night-life, as well as a big gay community.

While Cape Town is one of Africa's more relaxed cities, it's by no means a place to throw caution to the wind. If you do get blown in the way of the Cape Flats make sure you have a trustworthy guide leading you. There have been reports of hoodlums stoning cars on the N2 near the airport; never stop here if possible. Most busy areas (including all tourist sites) are basically safe during day and night business hours-just keep abreast of local advice. Environmental hazards include strong rips at the beach, sudden temperature changes and ticks in the mountains.

By plane

Cape Town is behind Johannesburg in terms of cheap airline tickets, though many international flights, both in and out of the city, are available.

By train

run every two hours (more or less), but this journey might take a while. Ask at the ticket counter if there is an earlier train you could use, as there are also trains to Stellenbosch starting in Bellville and Eerste River.

By car

Hiring a car in South Africa is not as expensive as in Europe or many other countries. Petrol is also cheap compared to Europe, but might be a bit more expensive than in the US.

By bus

All major bus companies have Intercity connections from Cape Town, taking you to all bigger cities in South Africa and to Windhoek in Namibia. There might be up to 6 buses a day to certain cities.

The starting point is next to the train station at the corner of Adderley and Strand Street, near the Golden Acre building. Please ask at the nearby tourist information or in your hotel for connections and where your bus is going to leave, as finding your bus can become difficult.

Over and above, there are a few bus services available while travelling from eastern Africa, notably Tanzania and Kenya. The general route followed is Nairboi (Kenya), Dar-es-salaam (Tanzania), Lusaka (Zambia)and Harare(Zimbabwe)in order to reach Jo' Berg. The journey from Nairobi takes about two to three days.

Greyhound +27 (0)83 915-9000 http://www.greyhound.co.za/ /listing Intercape Mainliner +27 (0)21 380-4400 http://www.intercape.co.za/ /listing Translux http://www.translux.co.za/ /listing SA Roadlink +27 (0)11 333-2223 http://www.saroadlink.co.za /listing Bus tickets can also be obtained from Computicket http://www.computicket.co.za.

Cape Town is also on the Baz Bus http://www.bazbus.com/ route.

By boat

Most of the larger cruise lines, such as Princess Cruises http://www.princess.com/ports/CPT_X.html offer Cape Town as one of their destinations, but you can also try something different RMS St Helena http://www.rms-st-helena.com/ phone +44 0207 575 6480 This passenger/cargo ship is the last working Royal Mail Ship and stops at Cape Town on its way to Saint Helena (island) St Helena. /listing

By foot

Public transport in Cape Town (and South Africa in general) is not very good. Unless you are staying within walking distance of the beach in Camps Bay (or some other area where everything you want is close by) then you will find it very frustrating not to have your own transport.

By car

Car Rental Services-CARS City and Airport Branches +27 (0)21 553 8000 cars@rcjm.co.za http://www.carhire.co.za www.carhire.co.za/listing Avis +27 (0)21 934-0330 Cape Town International Airport http://www.avis.co.za Always open /listing Cruise Table Bay Car Hire http://www.cruisetablebay.com/ +27 (0)21 386-7699 25 Aviation Crescent, Airport City info@cruisetablebay.com /listing Hertz +27 (0)21 935-3000 Cape Town International Airport http://www.hertz.co.za Always open /listing Thrifty +27 (0)21 936 2116 Cape Town International Airport http://www.thrifty.co.za Always open /listing Drive Africa +27 (0)21 447 11 44 370 Main Road, Observatory http://www.driveafrica.co.za email drive@driveafrica.de /listing Penny K`s economical car hire +27 (0)72 736 69 57 24 Van Ryneveld Rd, Devilspeak http://www.pennyks.co.za /listing Please note that you can't pay for Petrol or Diesel with a credit card, only with cash or a South African bank issued 'Garage' card.

Cape Town also has a number of luxury chauffeur companies available that perform various services such as airport transfers, transport to corporate events as well as VIP bodyguards.

Getting Home Executive Services Mill Street, Cape Town +27 84 800 8093 iwroberts@myrealbox.com http://www.gettinghome.co.za/ www.gettinghome.co.za/listing Q Drive +27 860 374 836 info@qdrive.co.za http://www.qdrive.co.za/ www.qdrive.co.za/listing

By metered taxi

Metered taxis are controlled by the city council and can be considered safe and reliable. The price per kilometre is around R8-R10 and can often be read at the taxis side door. You can also set a fixed price with the driver, especially when going to a far away destination.

Please note that there is only one official taxi company at the airport. But you might as well ask your hotel to pick you up, as pick up service are provided by nearly all hotels, guest houses and so on.

By minibus taxi

Minibus taxis are used widely by locals but tourists are usually discouraged from using them. They cover most of the Cape Town Metropolitan Area and are very cheap, however they can get very crowded and are definitely less safe than metered taxis due to their dangerous driver behavior.

Some minibus taxi operators have seen the value in the tourist market and are starting to provide safe and legal alternatives to the traditional minibus taxis. They are more expensive than the traditional minibus taxis, but still far cheaper than metered taxis. No guarantee you'll get to your destination directly, but it is safe, fun, and all the drivers are characters. Meet supermodels going to their photo shoots or artists going to their studios. During busy times of day (or year) you may have to wait a while and there is no booking ahead!

Rikkis Taxis http://www.rikkis.co.za info@rikkis.co.za +27 (0)21 418-6713 43 New Church Street The safe and legal taxi service/listing

Sisonke Tourism Services http://www.sisonketours.co.za tourism@sisonketours.co.za +27 (0)21 696 4002 Safe and Reliable Hotel Shuttle & Day Tour Operator/listing

By bus

There is a network of public buses (Golden Arrow buses http://www.gabs.co.za/ ) that offer cheap connections for example from the city centre to the Waterfront. They run mostly during the day. It is better to ask the driver where the bus is going, to make sure you won’t end up somewhere else.

By scooter or cycle

You can also hire a scooter or a small motorbike. A number of places in the city offer this service and it is a great way to be mobile and save over hiring a car. LDV Biking +27 (0)83 528-0897 mail@ldvbiking.co.za 13D Kloof Nek Road http://www.ldvbiking.co.za From about R100 to R170 per day depending on how many days you are renting for and the time of year The recommended place to rent a scooter or motorbike./listing

Unless you love the pain of cycling up and down mountains while dodging city traffic on narrow streets, cycling for transportation is not recommended. However, cycling in the area is very popular.

By motorbike

Cape Sidecar Adventures http://www.sidecars.co.za/ info@sidecars.co.za +27 (0)21 434-9855 +27 (0)21 434-9860 2 Glengariff Road, Three Anchor Bay Open 9AM to 5PM weekdays and 9AM to 1PM on Sat Explore Cape Town in a vintage World War II side-car./listing Harley Davidson Cape Town +27 (0)21 424-3990 rentals@harley-davidson-capetown.com http://www.harley-davidson-capetown.com From R650 per day Explore the cape on the back of a Harley./listing

By train

There is a system of public train transport, although it is mainly used by locals. Operator Metrorail http://www.capemetrorail.co.za/ has done a lot to increase safety and comfort on board the trains, but they still do not live up to European standards. So make sure to buy a first-class ticket. Cape Town station is situated in the city centre on the corner of Adderley Street and Strand Street and there is a reasonable suburban network of lines with more than 80 stations. A nice scenic ride can be done south to Simon's Town, all along the east coast of the Cape Peninsula. Stick to the Simon's Town line and make sure you are not on the train after 18h30 or when it is dark.

Make sure you do not carry anything expensive on the train as this is an invitation to thieves. If you must carry a camera, make sure it is well out of sight (preferably a small wallet sized camera). Ear rings, necklaces and any form of visible jewellery are not recommended as these can be ripped (rather painfully) from one's person by an enterprising thief. Keep your wits about you and the journey will be pleasant.