About Cape Town

CAPE TOWN – Things to see while you are here.

Don’t miss this fabulous opportunity!

It is no wonder that South Africa draws so many visitors. World-class wildlife-watching, cosmopolitan cities, stunning natural panoramas from Table Mountain National Park and vibrant cultures make the country appealing to almost every taste and budget.

Geographically, its extremes include the arid semi -desert of the Karoo, the snowcapped peaks of the Drakensberg Range, the lush subtropical coast of KwaZulu-Natal and the fertile temperate valleys of Western Cape. Within a day, you can journey from vineyard-clad hillsides in the Western Cape to the vast open spaces of the Kalahari; from waterfront chic in Cape Town to isolated Zulu villages; from elephant-spotting in Kruger National Park to the sublime seascapes of the coast.

The Mother City of South Africa, Cape Town is the oldest city in southern Africa. As South Africa’s third-largest city, Cape Town occupies one of the world's most stunning locations, and is heralded as one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Cape Town is a pro at showing visitors a good time.

There are plenty of great wildlife viewing and photo opportunities, from the penguins at Boulders to the antelopes, buffaloes and black rhino at Solole Game Reserve.

Cape Town is crammed with galleries displaying amazing artwork and shops selling wonderfully inventive crafts. You are likely to hear locals speak German and French, as well as Afrikaans and English. Discovering the Mother City's true diversity and spirit is all part of getting the most out your visit. Cape Town’s historic buildings have been preserved and businesses are booming. Factor in those stunning mountains, magnificent surf beaches and outstanding vineyards and you'll soon discover - like many before you - that it's easy to lose track of time while exploring all the wonders of this unique Southern African city.

The Victoria and Alfred Waterfront is one of the most successful areas in the world and one of Cape Town’s top attractions. The hotels under contract for the conference are located in this area, and you will be able to take pre-scheduled, dedicated shuttle transportation from the conference hotels directly to the University of Cape Town to attend the technical sessions.

The shopping here in the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront includes over 300 stores and a choice of more than 30 restaurants. If you do two things on the Waterfront, you should consider a boat trip to Robben Island and visit the Two Oceans Aquarium. From June to November you can also book a whale watching cruise. Beer lovers should make time to visit the Mitchell’s Brewery to sample the excellent handmade ales. For an excellent wine shop try Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar.

As beautiful as the surrounding beaches and vineyards can be, it's the rugged wilderness of Table Mountain, coated in unique flora that grabs everyone's attention. The mountainous slopes sustain some 9,000 species, as the world’s most varied botanic kingdom. Table Mountain - now protected within a national park that covering 75% of the peninsula - remains at Cape Town's heart. This backdrop is the city's adventure playground.

Things to see:

There are many opportunities for a variety of tours in and around Cape Town as well as elsewhere in Southern Africa.