Cape Town in Feb?

[Gellasmummy]

Should I go with my partner and 22 month old daughter to Cape Town in Feb? Will it be safe? From my limited investigations the positives are: The kids over there go back to school around 20 Jan. The weather should be nice. It seems that you can experience many varied landscapes and activites in an area of approx 400km which over 3-4 weeks wouldn't be too stressful for a travelling family to cover. It's cheap when you get there.

[SKCOLL]

As with most places just be careful. In Capetown itself don't go into some of the more dangerous/dark looking areas (as with any city!). Take guides if you want to visit a township or some other areas (extremely valuable experience -) but they can push your costs up. Don't flash your money or valuables. Try to keep camera etc hidden if possible. If hiring a car keep the doors locked and don't pick up hitchhikers. Cape Town is a lovely city - maybe a little more expensive than you may think - but still comparitively cheap. The wine region is fabulous. The Garden Route is great tho a little touristy in places. Route 62 is fairly undeveloped for tourists. We spent our honeymoon their and just loved it - want to go back.

[SKCOLL]

I wish I was going back, anyway , after a think.......some highlights..... 1) Took township tour with Grassroutes Tours (Guide = Basil) � EXCELLENT (35 stlg pp) 2) Robben Island Tour (Some early sailings maybe discounted ~ normal 10 stlg pp) 3) Petting a young cheetah - Stellenbosch 4) Franschoek Restaurants (but not a lot else to see or do - and not the nicest of places) - Ballon Rouge Chocolate Baa Baa. 4) Knysna Nature Reserve (Stayed a little bit out of Knysna -www.mrinfo.co.za/shearwater) 5)Visited Knysna Elephant Park (�10 stlg) and patted & fed elephants 6) Did Safari (220ish pp for 1 night) but it was unbelievable - I can't begin to do it justice - beg borrow or steal if you need to). Addo Elephant Park was good (10 stlg pp) to see wild elephants but sighting not guaranteed - accommodation nearby - Highfields B&B � closest B&B to all of the game parks - �15/20pp .

[luckystrike]

Yes, Cape Town and the surrounding counrtyside is brilliant. We also went there on our honeymoon, in August 2003, and stayed for 5 nights, which was enough for a taster - we'll certainly be back! Table Mountain is a must, for the best 360 degree panoramic views of the cape and city. We were very lucky and had a perfectly clear view, before getting covered in the 'table cloth' of cloud. For safety, the Waterfront area is constantly monitored by CCTV cameras and police officers / security guards, in order to make tourists feel at ease. We stayed in the Waterfront, at the Table Bay Hotel (fantastic in every way - ask for a mountain view), and felt very safe walking around, even in the dark evenings. The restaurants are excellent, and there are designer shops from across the world, but they are more expensive than in the city centre. Taxis are easily available and very cheap - ask your hotel to phone one for you to be sure that you are getting a good company. Our day trip to the vineyards of Stellenbosch was also very enjoyable, as was our day out down to Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope NP. Simons Town was lovely. The township tours are really only possible with a guide, but only go if you particularly want to see vast slums. We decided not to go, and just keep the good memories with us. Unfortunately we never made it to Robben Island, but I believe that it is certainly worth it. Price wise, we were more than happy with the local costs, but things are no longer dirt cheap. We bartered for our traditional handicrafts in Green Market Square which was fun, and came back with some beautiful hand-carved wooden bowls and leather coasters. Another advantage is that there is minimal time difference from the UK, and most likely you will fly over night, and arrive fresh and ready to holiday. Enjoy....