Travel Tips

Cape Town in Summer

Written by Lindsay Krause

As the year comes to a chilly end in the Northern Hemisphere, the South wakes up from its wintery slumber. Days become longer, warmer and the City of Cape Town bursts into life with the first sign of summer. A visit to Cape Town, South Africa during the festive season might be your perfect escape from this year’s winter. So, why not embrace the Mother City’s contagious buzz, step outside into the sunshine and enjoy all that the surroundings have to offer.

With Table Mountain as a backdrop, vineyards in the vistas and sheltered bays surrounding the city, the months of December through to April, caters to all summer lovers. Beach goers flock to Camps Bay Beach, surfers head out into the waves at Muizenberg and hikers summit Lion’s Head. Once you’ve ticked Table Mountain, the V&A Waterfront and Robben Island off your to do list, make sure to add our Ker & Downey Africa® insider recommendations on exciting things to do in Cape Town in summer.

Beach goers flock to Camps Bay Beach, surfers head out into the waves at Muizenberg and hikers summit Table Mountain.

Skydiving

After lounging in Cape Town’s summer sun it’s time to kick it up a notch, and what better way to do so than a tandem skydiving. 35 minutes from the city center, the drop zone boasts some of the best views in the world from altitude, with backdrops of Table Mountain, Robben Island and the beautiful Cape West Coast.

Kick it up a notch with a tandem skydive 35 minutes from the city.

Dune Tours

More adventure awaits. Let your hair down and make Cape Town in summer all that more exciting by exploring the beauty of the West Coast’s dunes on a 4×4 Jeep tour. Professional drivers will transfer you from your hotel* in the city and transport you to some amazing spots along secluded 4×4 trails. Expect an exciting 2 hour spin around the dunes and take in the view of the West Coast with picnic lunch*.

*Additional cost may apply.

Expect an exciting 2 hour spin around the dunes and take in the view of the West Coast with picnic lunch.

4×4 Jeeps traversing the dunes of the West Coast.

Helicopter Tours

Experience the beauty of Cape Town in summer from the sky with an exhilarating helicopter tour. Start with a safety briefing at the V&A Waterfront, and board a cutting edge Airbus H120 or H130. These spacious, eco-friendly helicopters are big enough for the whole family and comfortably seat up to 6 passengers. Take your sightseeing to new heights and loop around the Cape Peninsula, or take a scenic flight over the winelands. Make sure the skies are clear before you fly to be able to take in views of the city and it’s jaw dropping landscapes.

Take your sightseeing to new heights and loop around the Cape Peninsula, or take a scenic flight over the winelands.

Breathtaking views of the city from an Airbus H120.

Table Mountain Safari

Get a taste of your upcoming safari by exploring Table Mountain National Park on a 3 hour safari. Your expert guide will transport you from the city in a game vehicle, while you learn about the Cape’s unique fauna and flora as well as its rich history. Whether you want to have an early start and watch the sunrise or enjoy a sunset safari around the mountain – this tour will give you exclusive access to to the dirt tracks and viewing points around the circumference of the mountain. Stop and enjoy panoramic views of the city over a picnic style lunch with a selections of wines from a local wine farm.

Stop and enjoy panoramic views of the city over a picnic style lunch with a selections of wines from a local wine farm.

Views from the dirt track that runs around Table Mountain.

Norval Foundation

In search of something cultural? Take a trip into the Cape Winelands and visit the newly established Norval Foundation in Steenberg. Enjoy all things art and culture while browsing the exhibition spaces, outdoor amphitheater and soaking up the summer sun in the sculpture garden. The exhibitions celebrate South African visual art from the 20th and 21st century. Enjoy a daily free curatorial tour at 2pm each day or feel free to visit the foundation from 10am to 4:15pm, Wednesday to Monday, and browse the foundation at your own pace.

View of the Norval Foundation from the sculpture garden.

Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden

Hidden at the end of a farm road in the winelands of Stellenbosch you can find the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden. Dotted in between lush indigenous garden pathways, or standing boldly with the Stellenbosch mountains in the backdrop, the 60 odd sculptures harmoniously take on a life of their own within the seven hectare garden. On a sunny summer day feel free to meander through the gardens at your own pace opt for a private guided tour.

Dylan Lewis’s Cheetah, Chasing Buck sculpture in the garden.

The Cape Town summer offers visitors an escape from another icy white Christmas, and invites you to soak up the sun, the buzz and all that the city has to offer. Need some help deciding what to do in Cape Town? Get in touch with our Adventurists at Ker & Downey® Africa and start planning your trip to Cape Town in summer.