This is a little nature treat off the beaten track about 30 minutes south of Cape Town.

Hike to 'Elephant's eye' and enjoy stunning views over Hout Bay or go for a swim in the dam.

Take the M3 South to its end, turn right and take the Oulde Kaapse Weg left into the mountain. At the mountain top, turn off right (follow signs for Silvermine).

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Most tourists to the Cape only stick with the tried and tested routes and experiences. !Khwa ttu is one of the very few GENUINE San Bushmen-led initiatives in southern Africa. It's set on stunning hillside overlooking the coast and Table Mountain and here you can meet the San, learn about hunting, gathering, tracking, take a trailer ride, see all of the amazing game and other animals, go on hikes, enjoy the restaurant or stay in their amazinginly peaceful accommodation (cottage or tents). There is a museum, art gallery, training centre, conference facilities and shop too.

I recommend it because I lived and worked with the San in southern Africa until recently and this is the BEST thing I have seen out there, that really, practically helps the San and teaches tourists about some of the real issues still alive in South Africa today...

What's more it's as cheap as chips if you are coming from Europe!

www.khwattu.org email - info@khwattu.org
It's just 70 km drive north of Cape Town - takes 40 minutes and just a short drive from the historic village of Darling and the beautiful beaches of Yzerfontein.

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Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens is a heavenly place to visit. On the slopes of Table Mountain, with clear crystal fresh air, one of the nicest things to do is listen to the open-air concerts on a summer's evening.

Dusk descends gently over the sloping green lawns and the air, scented from the diverse range of flowers and plants, is filled with a different choice of music each Sunday evening.

Take a picnic including some superb chilled South African white wine to sip, while you relax, take in the views and listen in one of the most beautiful gardens in the world.

Rhodes Drive, Newlands
Private Bag X7, Claremont
Tel: +27 21 799 8899
Fax: +27 21 797 6570

INFORMATION OFFICE: (021) 799 8783/8620 weekdays: (021) 7614916 weekends
www.nbi.ac.za/kirstenbosch/mainpage.htm

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A botanic garden, naturally, but it has thousands of plants all native to South Africa. It takes all day, but there is a nice eatery there too, as well as a bookshop. And from the back you can climb the old track up Table Mountain.

A bus goes from the bus station in the middle of the town, but check times. Journey is under 30 mins. The gardens are inland from the town centre.

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There are various walks up and back down from the Botanical Gardens at Kirstenbosch (the gardens are worth a visit on their own). The routes up from here have the advantage of being in shade. Walking up Table Mountain is a tick most tourists want. But be warned it is steep, and, in summer, hot. Any walk up the mountain requires reasonable fitness.

Always, keep to signposted paths, take plenty of water (about two litres per person), food, wear appropriate footwear, and a hat. Don't leave your base without sunscreen and a jumper as it can be cool on the top, especially if the Table has a cloth on (a roll of cloud that perches on top of the mountain and gives the appearance of a table cloth). Also, take money for the cable car if you can't face the walk down. Make sure someone knows where you are going and what route you intend to take.

Buses run regularly to Kirstenbosch from Adderley Street. If driving take M5

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It's the next mountain along the peninsula from Table Mountain - ignore the tourist trail and head up there for a more spectacular view. You get to look at Table Mountain and its famous tablecloth cloud rather than climbing it!

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This is a much more relaxed climb than Table Mountain and is almost as beautiful. It cradles Cape Town's East side and offers striking views of Cape Town, the Twelve Apostles, as well as Table mountain. It is a spiralling walk to the summit; the final stage is steep but worth the climb.

Head North from Kloof Nek for about 500m along Signal Hill Road where you will find a car park. There is a jeep track which becomes a path leading West up to the head

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