Do not be fooled by the more commercial 'human zoo' township tours, which will take you in a bus around the township, drop you for half an hour to see the Hector Pieterson museum before whizzing you past the houses of Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu. The Lonely Planet
recommends a couple of low-key tours led by locals and I opted for a tour which included two days being shown around by a local girl and a
night's stay in a typical shack. I got on so well with my guide that we went out drinking in the evening and I slept on her shack floor instead of in my own place. On the Sunday we cooked lunch all together and I let her daughter and nieces highjack my camera for a while -
they managed to take far better photos than I could have done!

Google map: tinyurl.com/y9uv4po

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A great one if you are a horticulturalist or simply need a break from the city. Positioned behind Table Mountain, these gardens contain
plants from many parts of the world, but also have areas dedicated to local fauna, such as the heather-like ericas and highly diverse feynbos. My favourite were the enourmous, woody stemmed proteas, a heavy bunch of which you can also pick up on the side of the road near
the entrance for the equivalent of a few pounds.

www.sanbi.org/kirstenbosch/mainpage.htm

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

Google map: tinyurl.com/y8s5b7w

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A relatively short journey that hugs the coastline but offers gorgeous views of the mountains and over the bay, and costs just a few rand. I only took the journey this far (the train terminates at Simon's Town), but I imagine the journey leading up to Kalk's Bay is equally stunning.
If travelling alone make sure to board a coach with other people already on it, and avoid taking the train when it is dark in the evening.

Google map: tinyurl.com/y8opowa

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Near to Fishhoek is the vibrant township of Masiphumelele, which you can explore on cyle or walking tours. The best walking tour is led by
the engaging Charlotte 'Nomthunzie' Swartbooi, a local resident. The tour is extremely good value and you get to see a side of Cape life
somewhat different to the upmarket areas of Cape Town. The other residents are fairly friendly and happy to for you to take photos,
especially the children, who clamoured to play with my camera and see the photos.

Nomthunzie Tours
Tel: + 27 (0) 83 982 5692
Email: nomthunzie@gmail.com

Google map: tinyurl.com/yan9s3z

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