I don’t know about you, but Cape Town is now my number one favorite city,  snagging Tokyo in the first place of my top ten best cities in the world. 

This place has it all — pristine beaches, scenic drives, mountains, wine, wildlife, gardens, adventure trips, braai (barbecue), an amazing nightlife, and so much more that you won’t see in Europe and Asia. I’m not going to make this intro long and fire away with a few rather random yet exceptionally intriguing things that I’ve had the hang of right up to this point in the middle of my stay here in Cape Town.

1. South Africa is not “Africa”

There was this friend of mine who asked me the question, “Lion King feels na ba?”

Alright, I get it that the way foreigners see South Africa is hued by their perspectives on Africa in general – wildlife, politically and socially unstable, or terribly poor. But let me just get this straight, South Africa is totally different. It is the most developed African country—in terms of innovation and development, it clearly stands out from other African nations. Talk about 5-star villas, dazzling apartments, and state-of-the-art facilities you can find in every corner. And with Cape Town having a Mediterranean climate and a cosmopolitan African vibrancy, this city makes it so easy for a wide range of individuals, particularly travelers, to experience real paradise.

As soon as I landed at the Cape Town International airport, I found it to be like Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It is one of only a handful of urban areas in Africa that blend together local culture, fine cuisine, beaches, history, and outdoor activities. I am fortunate enough to have had the chance to be situated in this delightful city for quite a while and the things you can do here are endless. It is a relatively small city, yet regardless of whether you’re staying for a week or less, there are a great number of overwhelming day trips and activities one can take.

More on this later on.

2. City of Contrasts

In spite of being the most developed in the African region, Cape Town is a city of contrasts. And one of these (and the biggest) is among the privileged and the less-privileged ones. Just minutes away from the airport, expect to start seeing shanty towns and vagrants en route to more interesting suburbs and lavish estates on the opposite side.

3. Your money will go a long way.

As to my surprise, eating out is not much of a pain in your pocket. With a favorable exchange rate for major international currencies like the US dollar, euro, or pound, you’ll find South Africa an inexpensive destination. I’ve had a local beer for less than a dollar, a bottle of wine for as cheap as $5, a three-course meal with drinks for just around $10-15.

Also, note that this is a tipping nation. Expect to tip wherever you go, say 2-10 Rands.

4. It is easy to rent a car for visitors, but driving on the highways could be a significant shock for overseas drivers.

One thing I noticed is the inconvenience of public transport. Renting a car will definitely make your life much easier getting around and it won’t really take much of your time. As soon as you land, there are a few car rental companies holding up just outside the airport. We managed to rent a car from Avis and they didn’t solicit plenty of requirements from us. Just make sure to have your license with you and you’re good to go.

Note:

1. You don’t need an international driving license. As long as it is in English, you’re fine. Otherwise, have your English-translated license ready.
2. Make sure to get full insurance protection.
3. There are always parking attendants who will ask for a small amount of money, say 5-10 rands for an hour.

Driving on the highways could be quite a surprise for overseas drivers. I, myself, can attest to that (haha). It seems like South African drivers are always in a hurry and they will seriously blare at you in the event that you drive too moderate. As it was my first time driving on the left side of the road, I was a little shaky, lol.Cars overtake you left and right. Always keep to the left, pass right and comply with the road signage.

The speed limit on freeways is 120km/h, major roads are 100km/h and in residential areas it is 60km/h. Also, expect to get stuck in traffic jams between 8.00 and 10.00 and between 15.30 and 18.30.

Public Transportation

If neither of you has a license, you can always take trains or the so-called Capetonian mini-busses. However, aside from the bus system, there aren’t many other viable options when it comes to in the city and Uber is relatively expensive.

5. But never leave valuables unattended in cars

Like many big cities around the world, there are opportunists in Cape Town and the crime rate is pretty high. I had my bag stolen from our rented car and the thing is, it happened just meters away from the Woodstock police station. How insane is that?

It seriously takes a few seconds to break a car window and grab your visible handbag or whatnot. And, unfortunately, you stand no chance of catching the thieves. So, be mindful of this always.

6. A lot of beggars at traffic junctions and traffic lights

As soon as I got here, I was told never to make eye contact with them. However, even if I always fail to do so, just ignore them nicely and say “sorry” or “no”. They are almost everywhere, some selling lots of different things, most of which you don’t really need. I have never found them aggressive though.

Remember, regardless of who you are dealing with, always treat people with dignity and respect.

7. You can drink almost anywhere, and wine is the kill

Alright, I am not a dipsomaniac individual, but this is certainly a standout amongst other things I adore about Cape Town.

No matter what time in the day or where you are and you feel like getting a drink, there ought to be no issue. Indeed, Capetonians take leisure time seriously.

There is what they call “First Thursdays,” which happens every first Thursday of the month, and various happenings are taking place in the city center–art galleries, markets, and bars are open til’ late.

On the off chance that you are a wine aficionado like me, this is definitely the place to go. Don’t even get me started on how you can get a decent wine at an affordable price. Cape Town is home to some of the best wine vineyards and there are various companies that offer wine tasting tours. However, as someone who isn’t fascinated by tours, I suggest you do it by yourself.

8. Rugby and Cricket are huge

These two sports are two of the most popular sports in South Africa. If the USA has basketball and Europe has soccer, then South Africa has these two. 

9. South Africans put other countries’ way of barbecue to shame

Expect to see a lot of “Braai” around South Africa. A braai is basically a social gathering event, big or small, wherein grilled meat is served alongside cold beer or wine. This can be done for lunch or supper and last for many hours.

Here are some of the most common words I’ve picked up from South Africans:

1. Robot = traffic light
2. Takkies = sneakers
3. Cokie = a marker
4. Howzit = How’s it going? (Obviously)
5. Lekker = nice!
6. Shame = which doesn’t really mean shame, but more of an expression for “awww”, “cute” or “too bad”.
7. Bakkie = a pickup truck
8. Biltong = sliced dried meat
9. Hectic = extreme (“That is so hectic!”)

10. Tap water is safe to drink

Need I say more?

11. Power converter

Plugs in South Africa are 15 amp 3-prong, with round plugs. Make sure to purchase one before you land because it literally took me two weeks before I found one. I spent my first week looking for this plug at the malls and big markets, but to my surprise, I didn’t find one. Otherwise, you can purchase online.

https://www.amazon.com/Ceptics-South-Africa-Travel-Adapter/dp/B007YLFNL4?tag=theworpur-20

12. Variety of outdoor activities and breathtaking views

There are plenty of things to see and do in Cape Town. Popular activities include hiking, surfing, safari game drives, running, cycling, and playing rugby, cricket or soccer.

More on this later on.