Welcome to Cape Town and the Western Cape, an area considered one of the most beautiful in Africa, and whose character results from the cultural melting pot of Indonesian, French, Dutch, British & German settlers, the local Khoisan (Bushman & Hottentot) tribes and the Bantu tribes from the north. The paternal presence of Table Mountain, the pristine coastline with its white sandy beaches, the magnificent countryside with its bountiful rivers, vleis and dams, and the unique flora kingdom, together with the warm summer climate and friendly community, makes the Western Cape perfect for any vacation.

The Breede River Valley is the largest fruit and wine producing valley in the Western Cape and is South Africa's leading racehorse breeding area. The area stretches from Gouda in the west and McGregor in the south, to Montagu in the east and the Tankwa-Karoo National Park in the north. This semiarid area, part of the Little Karoo, offers magnificent scenery and is known for its indigenous fynbos and proteas. The clear mountain streams are in stark contrast with their rugged surrounds and the wildlife in the reserves offer visitors a chance to get a taste of the real African bush.

The fertile green valleys of Cape Town's winelands are surrounded by proud mountain ranges. Towns and villages have many historic homesteads and monuments, and every so often fruit orchards are to be seen, whose produce may be found in all corners of the world. It is the Mediterranean climate and winter rainfall area of the south-western Cape that produces some of the best wines in the country. The rich, fertile soils along the Breede River and especially the areas of Somerset West, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek and Paarl, have become world famous for their whites, reds, sherries, ports and brandies.

Just over the mountain, 45 minutes drive from Cape Town, lies the Overberg, a region rich in beauty and diversity. It is the nursery of the great southern right whale, the headquarters of the apple-growing industry, and its rolling golden fields of grain are framed by magnificent mountain ranges. The beaches are superb and there is a great variety of fynbos and wild flowers. The coastal village of Hermanus is the perfect seaside 'getaway'.

Every year more and more visitors flock, from all over the world, to this once unknown region with unrivalled geographical diversity. The Western Cape's 'West Coast' has beautiful unspoilt beaches, magnificent mountain ranges, and the most spectacular wild flowers which bloom in the spring. The West Coast area of the Cape consists of three main areas, West Coast, Swartland & Sandveld and Olifants River Valley.

The Klein Karoo lies between the Outeniqua, Langeberg and Swartberg Mountain ranges. It is an area of contrasting landscapes and magnificent sunsets. Oudtshoorn is the main town and the ostrich farming industry is one of the largest of its kind in the world. The Central Karoo is dryer and more vast than its little sister, and is world renowned for its fossils. This is the main sheep farming region of South Africa, and many of the best restaurants have 'Karoo Lamb' on the menu.

The spectacular scenic beauty of the Garden Route makes it a highly recommended destination for visitors to the Western Cape. The rich tapestry of indigenous forests, lakes, lagoons, waterways and rivers are bordered by a rugged coastline possessing magnificent beaches washed by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. The mild and equable climate provide the visitor with all year round enjoyment.