~ ABOUT WESTERN CAPE PROVINCE ~

Western cape: one of the nine provinces, is located in the South West region of South Africa. Cape Town is Western Cape's Capital city, being the third most popular city in South Africa. The City of Cape Town with its iconic Table Mountain, recently announced as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, is a prime tourism destination for domestic and overseas travellers. Arguably one of the most beautiful city's in the world, Cape town is well known for its beautiful scenic geographical setting and its well known landmarks, such as the Cape Point and Table Mountain - which attracts thousands of tourists.

Table Mountain: Cape Town's most popular attraction, lies north of the Cape Peninsula, which forms a stunning backdrop, even at night, to the surrounding City and Suburbs of Cape Town. Occasionally clouds form over Table Mountains Plateau creating a "blanket" effect and an amazing site. This is called the "TABLECLOTH". Surrounding Table Mountain is two other well known almost-vertical peaks, called "Devil's Peak" and "Lions Head". Visitors often hike up these mountains making the most of their experience in Cape Town.
A Cable Car is also available up Table Mountain.

The Garden Route is a popular Scenic route stretching across from Mossel Bay to the far Eastern region of Western Cape of Storms River. Towns of George, Knysna, Mossel bay, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness and Plettenberg Bay are all situated along the Route 62 (Garden Route). With over 300 species of birdlife and with 10 Nature reserves, The Garden Route, has a unique combination of Temperate forest and Cape Fynbos offering lots of activities. During the months of July - December (Winter & Spring), the endangered Southern Wright whale comes to calve. Other marine life such as Dolphins and Seals can be seen.
Travelling by vehicle has been the most popular way to explore the garden Route, but if you want to experience it the best way, then hop on board the famous Choo Tjoe Train - South Africa's last remaining Steam train and have an unforgettable experience.

The Western Cape generally has a Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and wet cool winter. Both the Warm Indian and cold Atlantic Ocean have a big influence in the Cape's weather making climate vary quite a bit over a short distance.

Cape Town and its surrounding areas generally have a cooler climate due to the cold Benguela current (which comes from the Atlantic Ocean). During summer, rain is very low and temperatures can be quite high... making famous beaches like Clifton Beach and as well as the eastern side of the Cape Peninsula - very busy. As mentioned above, most the Cape Towns rain is experienced during Winter.

The Karoo (inland) has a semi-arid climate, with a nature of extreme high and low temperatures. Because the sea-facing side of the escarpment receives most of the rain, this then leaves the lee side of the escarpment and interior, dry, with little rain (approx 400mm of rain annually) If you are the type that enjoys hot summers, cold frosty winters and the occasional thunderstorm ... then, Karoo here we come!

Meanwhile most of the Garden Route and on the South Coast of Overberg experience a Maritime climate - Moist, mild Summers and moist, cool winters. The Great Escarpment is a major influence on the amount of rainfall in the Garden route. Warm humid sea winds from the Indian Ocean, are blown up the sea-facing side of the Great escarpment - making it hard for the wind to overcome the Outeniqua mountains, which generates high rainfall in this region, and therefore also making the climate on the other side of the Outeniqua mountains semi-arid.

If it is raining in George ... Often people would drive up and over the Outeniqua mountains, towards Oudtshoorn, to experience warm sunny weather.