Things to do in Cape Town – December 2020

INDEX:
1. Explore local gems
2. Take a mini road trip
3. Have an adventure
4. Tour Cape Town with a foodie
5. Events
6. Live Music in Cape Town
7. Kids Corner
8. Christmas Lunch
9. Christmas Gift ideas
10. New Year’s Eve

1. EXPLORE LOCAL GEMS

KFM asked their listeners to share their favourite hidden gems in the Western Cape. Courtesy of Carl Wastie & KFM

• Donkieskraal
• Kogelberg
• Tunnel Tours – Good Hope Adventures
• Betty’s Bay
• Caledon Hot Springs
• Goudkop
• Auraura, Mountain Mist
• Vermaaklikheid
• Nama Bike Camp
• Matjiesfontein, Victorian Hotel
• Kanoneiland
• The Panty Bar, Paternoster
• Bonfrutti, Bonnievale
• Impangele Mountain Lodge
• Drummond Arms
• Tweede Tol

2. GO ON A MINI ROAD TRIP

RIEBEEK KASTEEL

Just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, and you will be enjoying wine & olive tasting at Kloovenberg Wine & Olive Estate.

TULBAGH

Make a weekend of it and enjoy a walk in Church Street, visit a museum, go wine tasting at Saronsberg Wine Estate – (also offering wine-by-bike), explore the art route, go for a hike or horse riding, a spa treatment or indulge you chocolate passion at Moniki Chocolatier.

BREEDE RIVER VALLEY

Take a drive out to the Breede River Valley and stop off at Bosjes Estate, where you can take a walk around the indigenous gardens, through the sculptural water fountain and stop for tea/coffee and cake in the tea garden.

KALK BAY

Take a scenic drive to Kalk Bay along Boyes Drive and explore the Kalk Bay Harbour, great food, shopping and ice cream for the little ones.

HERMANUS

Hermanus offers incredible natural scenery and great opportunities for adventure seekers. Try out your wine-identifying chops with a blind tasting at The Wine Glass, visit the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, swim in the sea, walk on the beach, go on hikes and eat at some of the fantastic restaurants.

3. GO ON AN ADVENTURE

• Kayaking
• Abseiling
• Kite Surfing
• Kloofing
• Paragliding
• Snorkel in the Kelp forest
• Cycle in the Winelands
• Surfing
• Waterbiking
• Ziplining

4. TOUR CAPE TOWN WITH A FOODIE

Pam McOnie is our wonderful Cape Town foodie guide, these are 2 of her specialist tours:

TASTE OF CAPE TOWN FOOD TOUR

This tour will give you a taste of our current post Covid city. Explore our history, cultures, foodie trends, new green shoots of openings and check out some of our artisan designers and art en route. This is a Cape Town City immersion.
When? Every Thursday OR private tours can be booked and can be done as a private tour on Tuesday to Friday.

TASTE THE PENINSULA FOOD TOUR

A foodie peninsula ramble including stops for coffees, beer or wine tasting, cheese tasting, artisan pastries, possibly scones and fish & chips for lunch. The day includes a scenic ramble around the area with tastings.
When? Every Friday OR private tours can be booked and can take place on any day from Tuesday to Saturday for 4 – 6 people.

5. EVENTS

11 – 13 DECEMBER: THE ART OF ESCAPE AT ELLERMAN HOUSE

Enjoy a magical weekend escape with a difference. Join Ellerman House for an idyllic Cape Town getaway that has been purposefully curated for the true art lovers out there. This imaginative breakaway is sure to leave you feeling revived, uplifted and inspired.

15 DECEMBER: KID’S CHRISTMAS AT FLOWER CAFE

From 10 am – 12:30 pm kids can enjoy gingerbread house decorating morning at only R500pp. Includes refreshments: hot chocolate & waffle. for more info contact Vee: vee@petalshroup.co.za or 082 321 7371

23 DECEMBER: CHRISTMAS NIGHT MARKET AT BOSCHENDAL

Find beautiful locally made gifts and homemade treats from the farm. Join us for an evening of leisurely gift shopping while you enjoy the festive vibe, complete with Christmas Carols and live music.

THURSDAYS – SUNDAYS: DRIVE-IN CINEMA

Enjoy the old-school nostalgic drive-ins! Take the family to enjoy a great movie experience from the comfort of your vehicle. They’ve got some of the greatest movies that’ll be lighting up the night sky (and daytime too) at the V&A Waterfront

FRIDAYS: SUNSET SESSIONS AT NEDERBURG

There’s hardly a better way to end the week than breathing in unadulterated country air, a glass of wine in hand as the sun slips behind the mountain.

6. LIVE MUSIC IN CAPE TOWN

Things may be a little different this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find a way to safely enjoy live music this summer season. Here, we share some of our favourites. And remember that when you support these venues, you are also supporting local artists who make their living performing for guests. They need our support now more than ever before!

RADISSON BLU HOTEL, WATERFRONT

Tobago’s Bar and Terrace has become a popular Cape Town hangout for locals. With views of the Atlantic Ocean, this really is a perfect spot to catch the city’s spectacular sunsets. Also, their incredible bartender AJ Snetler has developed a sensational cocktail menu that’ll keep your thirst quenched all summer long.

To catch some live music, pop in for brunch when there is always a DJ to get those feet tapping or book one of their Sunday lunches where live music is offered.

STRANDKOMBUIS, YZERFONTEIN

When you are up the West Coast, visit the Strandkombuis. The venue has packed the weekends with live music for all sorts of tastes, and guests can also enjoy delicious pizzas, sundowners on the dunes, games on the deck and so much more.

HAZENDAL WINE ESTATE, STELLENBOSCH

Imagine enjoying a sunset stroll through the Marvol Gallery or brand new Classic Car Showroom that houses Rolls Royces and Bentleys on a stunning wine farm in the heart of Stellenbosch, before listening to soothing music and just enjoying a perfect summer evening. At Hazendal Wine Estate, you can do just that.

CAFE ROUX, NOORDHOEK

If you’re interested in listening to some of South Africa’s top music acts, then Cafe Roux is definitely the place to be. COVID-19 has forced this Cape Town favourite to change things up, and the venue has now evolved into a relaxed and vibey food market where you can grab a pizza or burger, enjoy a drink, and hear some great local music.

Courtesy of Cape Town Etc

7. KIDS CORNER

The amazing team at Agaaain have tried and tested these kids’ activities, sign up on their website and join hundreds of happy parents, and be the first to know about the best kid-friendly outings & activities.

TOBOGGAN

No snow needed! Feel the warm wind in your hair when you whizz down Africa’s first bobsleigh track at Cool Runnings at up to 40 kilometres an hour for over 1.25 kilometres. This is tummy-tickling fun for everyone from age 3.

WATERWORLD STRAND

This awesome water park guarantees a day of slippery-slidey fun in the sun, right next to a beautiful beach. The supertube, speed and other slides, kids’ pool and whirlpool offer tons of excitement in the water, while several playgrounds, a zip line, mini-golf and climbing wall delight kids on land.

WINELANDS LIGHT RAILWAY

This miniature train park located within a pretty tree plantation is so much fun! Ride Darjeeling steam engines Bonnie, Doreen and Anna – built to scale with lots of love by the owners – along the 760 metre track, over a bridge and through a tunnel. There is also a nice playground with mud kitchen and an obstacle course for older kids.

BATTERY PARK

Located inside the V&A Canal District, this urban park connects the inner city and the Waterfront through a series of greened pedestrian routes. Sit on one of the benches while kids and teens play soccer on the lawn (with real goal posts) or watch them have fun on the super cool skateboard park and basketball court. One level below, smaller children have plenty of space to ride on bikes and scooters. Families can also stand-up paddle board or kayak along the canals.

ACROBRANCH

This Tarzan-style tree top adventure in the Constantia Nek forest lets kids from the age of 3 swing through trees, dangle from branches and balance in the air. An outdoor obstacle course allows children to hop from tree to tree via zip lines, cargo nets, wobbly bridges, climbing nets and elevated platforms. There are different courses with various degrees of difficulty. Adults can join the fun, too.

ALPACA LOOM

Get up close with a herd of llamas and alpacas on this farm. Kids can feed and pet the friendly creatures with the funny hairstyles, and for those hungry for education, the owners offer barn tours three times a day (11am, 1pm, 3pm). Part of the 45-minute tour is a visit to the breeding area, where – with a bit of luck – children can see baby alpacas.

8. CHRISTMAS LUNCH FEASTING IN CAPE TOWN

BLANKO, CONSTANTIA

Celebrate Christmas at Blanko, at the iconic Alphen Boutique Hotel in Constantia, with a Christmas Menu. View menu
Cost: R950 per person, R550 for children under 12
When: 25 December 2020

RADISSON BLU WATERFRONT

The Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel is delighted to announce its holiday season packages. View menu
Cost: Christmas Eve dinner is R795, Christmas Day lunch and dinner is R1,095
When: 24 and 25 December 2020

GALILEO OPEN-AIR CINEMA, KIRSTENBOSCH

This isn’t technically a meal option, but it’s great for those looking for a fun and affordable way to spend Christmas. The Galileo Open Air Cinema will be screening the festive classic, Home Alone. Tickets get you a backrest, blanket, festive decor, a santa hat, and a candy cane. You can pack your own picnic, or buy food at the venue.
Cost: R190
When: 25 December 2020, starting 18:00pm (the film starts at 20:30)

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON, WOODSTOCK

Liberty’s Restaurant at DoubleTree is treating guests to their renowned Christmas day lunch.
Cost: R620 per person
When: 25 December 2020

TWELVE APOSTLES

The Azure Restaurant at Twelve Apostles are doing both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year. Expect all the traditional Christmas fare.
Cost: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Azure is R1,850; Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Atlantic Marquee is R1,350
When: 24 and 25 December 2020

LA MOUETTE, SEA POINT

La Mouette is another of Cape Town’s favourites, located in the bustling area of Sea Point. Guests can expect a six-course tasting menu. View menu
Cost: R1,195 per person (R1,890 with wine)
When: 24-26 December 2020

LA BELLE BISTRO & BAKERY, CONSTANTIA

Set in classy Constantia at The Alphen Boutique Hotel, la Belle Bistro & Bakery offers guests only the finest rustic foodie flair, fresh and wholesome baked goods and myriad culinary delights. View menu
Cost: R550 per person
When: 25 December 2020

MOYO, KIRSTENBOSCH

10. NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a difference this year, reflecting on the year that’s been and spend meaningful family time.

Whether at home, or on holiday, make it fun for your entire family to enjoy.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

• Sparklers
• Glow sticks
• Decide on a theme
• Treasure Hunt plan
• Dance Party for the kids
• Make your favourite playlist
• Zoom with friends and family near and far
• Eats: Support local, ask your favoutite restaurant to cater. Here are some of our favourites.

All recommendations are as per research at the time of sharing information.
All recommendations are participated in at your own risk and Timeless Africa Safaris cannot be held liable for any negative experience.