South African Psychiatry - November 2020

ANNOUNCEMENT
CAPE TOWN
IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS -
AND IT WON'T HURT YOUR POCKET TO VISIT
With the easing of lockdown regulations
to Level 1 restrictions, South Africa’s
borders are open to a number of
international travellers and Cape Town
is ready to welcome these guests and domestic
travellers with open arms. And if you think that a visit
to Cape Town will break the bank, think again.
“Everyone is fighting for a piece of the tourism pie,
but we have already seen that, locally, we are still
a very popular destination to visit. The Mother City
offers a little bit of everything - beach, mountains
and nature, and there are many ways to enjoy Cape
Town without breaking the bank,” says Briony Brookes,
PR & Comms Manager for Cape Town Tourism. “Cape
Town is a world-class destination and we predict that,
instead of going overseas for a top travel experience
right now, South Africans will look closer to home and
see that Cape Town has as much to offer as other
cities around the world, if not more.”
Below, Brookes shares her tips on how to enjoy a
pocket friendly Cape Town.
1. Use the 50 things to do for under R50 list
This list has been doing the rounds for a number
of years now and, every year, the team at Cape
Town Tourism updates it to ensure that these
items are still valid or, if not, swaps it out with
something that fits the bill. Highlights include
hippo spotting, eland viewing and bird watching
at Rondevlei Nature Reserve, a visit to the
gardens at Babylonstoren, strawberry picking
and so much more.
Find the list at: https://www.capetown.travel/50-
things-to-do-for-under-r50-in-cape-town/
2. Enjoy free Cape Town
Did you know that there are so many free things
to make use of in Cape Town? The Free Walking
Tours, for example, give you the chance to learn
more about the history of the city, significant
sites and more - all at no cost to you. Other free
activities include hiking up one or more of our
stunning mountains or along one of the many
beach promenades, lounging on our gorgeous
beaches, picnicking in the Green Point Urban
Park, an audio tour of Groot Constantia - and so
much more.
3. Take advantage of local offers
Attractions all around Cape Town have localonly
offers that allow for free or discounted entry
to South African residents. Table Mountain and
the Two Oceans Aquarium, for example, have
birthday specials for locals who are able to
enjoy these iconic attractions for free on or in
the week of their birthday - and if your birthday
was during lockdown, you can still claim your
free ticket! The Table Mountain National Park
also has a Green Card that costs R167 for South
African residents of Cape Town and allows the
holder of the card 12 entries into any of the Table
Mountain National Park’s pay points: Cape of
Good Hope (Cape Point); Boulders Penguin
Colony, Oudekraal and Silvermine, as well as to
the braai and picnic areas at Tokai, Newlands
and Perdekloof.
4. Research, research, research when it comes to
accommodation and eating out
Accommodation is often one of the biggest
costs when travelling. However, right now
leading up to the festive season, there are
many establishments that are running excellent
promotions and deals. All it takes is an extra bit
of research to find these deals and discover
great value and discounts on accommodation
in Cape Town. The same can be said for eating
out. To offset the losses that occurred during
lockdown, many of Cape Town’s top restaurants
are running meal specials to secure lots of
bookings. Take some time to research local
restaurants and see which ones have deals that
fit your budget. There are also the amazing Cape
Town markets where food is often cheaper than
in restaurants and each offering is something
truly unique
5. Book early for cheaper flights
Flights can be a major cost in travelling, but the
earlier you book, the better. Booking now for a
few months ahead means that you save on
costs as many airlines push up their prices for
last-minute bookings. Get in there early to avoid
disappointment or price hikes
SOUTH AFRICAN PSYCHIATRY ISSUE 25 2020 * 115