Western Cape Article - South African Vacations

OVERVIEWWestern Cape Tourism Board (Info)Physical address: c/o Burg & Castle St, Pinnacle Building, Cape Town, 8000.Postal address: Private Bag X 9108, Cape Town 8000.Tel: +27 (0) 21 426 5639 / 5647Fax: +27 (0) 21 426 5640E-mail: info@capetourism.orgWebsite: http://www.capetourism.orgThe Western Cape - the province that haseverything plus that little bit more. Justwhen you think you have seen it all,another surprise awaits you around thecorner. In this province, white sandybeaches, indigenous forests of ancienttrees, meandering coastal paths,mountain walks and nature reservesprovide the scenic backdrop to craftmarkets, art festivals and historicbuildings. Of course, one should not forgetto visit the wine farms, watch whales anddolphins frolic, swim with the penguins,ride the ostriches and take the cablewayto the top of Table Mountain.The Western Cape has inspired manynames and descriptions. Sir Francis Drakecalled it the Fairest Cape, the Portugueseseamen called it the “Cape of Storms” andit has also been known to different peopleas the “Cape of Good Hope” and the“Tavern of the Seas”.The heart of the province is home to oneof the six floral kingdoms of the world, theFynbos Floral Region. The Western Capefloral kingdom has more than 8 600indigenous species of plants - morespecies than are found in the whole of Europe - some 5 800 of which are found nowhere elsein the world. The diversity of the beautiful scenery of the Western Cape has always attractednature lovers, mountain climbers and hiking trail enthusiasts, who have a wide range ofnature and forest reserves, hiking trails and botanical gardens from which to choose.The Cape is one of the best places in the world for shore-based whale-watching. The SouthAfrican coast plays host to 29 species of toothed whale, including the killer whale and eightspecies of baleen whale. The most commonly spotted whales are the southern right whales,pods of which seek out sheltered bays along the Cape coastline for breeding. The monthsfrom June to November are best for spotting them all the way around the Cape Peninsula.Humpback whales visit the Cape’s shores from May to December. Bryde’s whales arefound off shore all year round. The cliffs of Hermanus offer the best shore-based viewing ofwhales and the best place for boat-viewing of whales is False Bay.5