Visitor Info - Hiking
Table Mountain |
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Emergency numbers
- Police (SAPS): 10111
- Police (using a mobile phone): 112
- Ambulance / Fire: 10177
- National Tourism Information and Safety Line: 083 123 2345
- 107 is a single emergency telephone number for use by all people living in and visiting Cape Town. By using this number you can ask for help when life or property is endangered and you will be put in contact with the nearest relevant emergency service provider, such as the ambulance, fire, police or traffic service.
- 107 Calls from a cellular (wireless/mobile) phone can be made directly to the 107 centre on 021 480 7700 at national rates. Dialing the number 107 from a cell phone will not work.
Remember
Wine lover or not, a visit to the Cape Winelands is an absolute must.
Cape Winelands and in particular the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek are popular day trips from the city for sightseeing and wine tasting. Whale watching is popular amongst tourists: Southern Right Whales and Humpback Whales are seen off the coast during the breeding season (August to November) and Bryde's Whales and Killer Whale can be seen any time of the year. The nearby town of Hermanus is known for its Whale Festival, but whales can also be seen in False Bay. Heaviside’s dolphins are endemic to the area and can be seen from the coast north of Cape Town; Dusky dolphins live along the same coast and can occasionally be seen from the ferry to Robben Island.
- Never climb alone. Four is the ideal party.
- Choose your route according to the ability, fitness and experience of the party.
- Go with somebody who genuinely knows the way, or use a map, guidebook, or description of the route from a person who has climbed it before. Allow plenty of time to get up and down in daylight.
- Stick to recognised routes on well-used paths. Heed signs warning of danger and do not take short cuts or negotiate unknown ravines.
- Tell someone exactly where you are going (up and down routes and expected time of return) and stick to this plan.
- Every party should have a leader. Keep together and travel at the pace of the slowest. Never split up and go in different directions.
- Always go prepared for bad weather and take proper weatherproof and windproof clothing. Carry everything in a rucksack to keep arms and hands free.
- Always watch the weather and time and turn back as soon as bad weather threatens, or if the route is no longer easy to follow.
- Stay put in the event of trouble. Don't try to force your way down in darkness or mist. Find shelter, especially from the wind.
- If you get lost or find yourself in an area that looks unsafe, retrace your steps. Do not push on into the unknown. If you can't find the path you left, look for a safe route - preferably down broad, open slopes - making sure at all times that you can retrace your steps.
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Wine regions of South Africa
- Cape Winelands
- Chicago, Western Cape
- Constantia, Cape Town
- Franschhoek
- KwaZulu-Natal wine
- Northern Cape wine
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- Tulbagh
- Western Cape wine
Unless you are planning to walk down again (which is tough on the knees!) - remember to take money for the cableway. But before setting out on your hike, check that it is in fact operating.
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About the Cape Winelands
The Cape Winelands is a region of the Western Cape Province of South Africa. It is the largest wine producing region in South Africa and is divided into six main wine regions, each offering their own unique wine route. Constantia, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Paarl, Robertson and Wellington are the most popular.
Constantia Valley wine region is situated in mountainous surroundings, and boasts some of the oldest wine estates and homesteads along with several award winning wines and restaurants. 90% of the farms offer wine tastings and cellar tours.
Stellenbosch Wine region is the best known in the Cape. In 1971 the first official wine route was founded. It is home to a variety of cellars producing some of the country's most acclaimed wines. Boschendal, Neethlingshof, Delheim, Welmoed, Delair, Spier, Saxenburg, La Motte, Boschendal, Chamonix and Cabriere, to name a few.
Franschhoek valley Wine region was settled over 300-years ago by the French Huguenots. Set against the backdrop of the Franschhoek and Drakenstein mountains, this quaint village has over 30 wine farms: Akkerdal Estate, Allée Bleue Farms,Bellingham, Boekenhoutskloof, Boschendal Cabriere, Chamonix, Dieu Donnè, Eikehof, Franschhoek Pass Winery,
Franschhoek Vineyards, Freedom Hill wines, GlenWood, Graham Beck cellar, Grand Provence ,Grande Provence Wine Estate, Haut Espoir, La Bourgogne, La Bri, La Chataigne, La Chaumiere Wine Estate, La Couronne Wine Estate, La Motte, La Petite Ferme, La Roche Landau Du Val Wines, Le Manoir de Brendel, Lormarins, Lynx Wines, Mont Rochelle Mountain Vineyards, Moreson, Plaisirdemerle, Rickety Bridge Winery, Rupert & de Rothschild Vignerons, Solms, Stony Brook, Vrede en Lust.
Robertson wine industry in has grown from less than 25 cellars in 1995 to more than 50 registerd wine cellars as of today. There are a number of wine cellars that receive the highest awards both locally and internationally every year. Robertson wine cellars include Graham Beck,Springfield,Bon Cap,Majors Hill,Excelsior Estate.
There are also a range of small boutique wineries as Rosendal and Fraai Uitzicht.
Wellington's economy is centered around agriculture such as wine, table grapes, citrus fruit and a brandy industry. With a picturesque environment and numerous award winning wineries, Wellington's tourism industry has started to blossom. TheWelington wine & Brandy Route Andreas Wines,Bosman Family Vineyards,Bovlei Winery,De Compagnie,Diemersfontein,Doolhof Wine Estate,Jacaranda Winery,Klein Fontein,Klein Optenhorst,Linton Park Wines,Malan de Versailles,Mischa Estate,Mont Du Toit,Nabygelegen,Oude Wellington,Savingnac de Versailles,Schalk Burger & Sons – Welbedacht,Siyabonga,Smit Boerdery,THE BRANDY ROUTE,Upland Estate,Wamakersvallei Winery,Welgegund,Wellington Cellar,Welvanpas
Paarl Like many towns in the Cape Winelands, Paarl is home to a prosperous community, with many well maintained and attractive Cape Dutch houses, beautiful gardens and streets lined with old oak trees.Paarl boasts a unique cultural attraction it was here that the foundations of the Afrikaans language were laid by the Genootskap van Regte Afrikaners. The "Afrikaanse Taalmonument" (monument to the Afrikaans language) on the slopes of Paarl Mountain, the Language Museum and the Afrikaans Language Route through Dal Josaphat are memorials to this achievement.The former headquarters of the wine industry in South Africa is also situated here. This was the famous "Co-operative Wine Growers' Association" (better known by its Afrikaans initials KWV). The KWV became a South African institution that has acquired an international reputation based on its unique achievements and its imprint of quality on the local wine industry. Over the past decade, however, KWV became a completely profit-driven private company that has no administrative role anymore. (KWV's main wine production and maturation facilities are on its Paarl premises, while its brandy production takes place in Worcester and grape juice concentrate production in Upington in the Northern Cape).
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