Discounts and Resources

Discounts and Resources

Discounts

For one fee, the Cape Town Pass (www.capetownpass.co.za) provides admission to 50 Cape Town-area attractions, including Kirstenbosch, selected museums, and the Two Oceans Aquarium. The pass, which comes with its own guide to the attractions, costs R275 for one day, R425 for two days, R495 for three days, and R750 for six days. You can buy the pass online or from tourism offices, guesthouses and hotels, and travel agents. If you're keen to explore South Africa's many wilderness areas, consider buying a SANParks Wild Card (www.sanparks.org), but be sure to read all the fine print. There are several types of passes covering different clusters of parks for individuals, couples, and families; an individual pass to all the parks costs R795.

Out on the Town

Cape etc. is a great bimonthly roundup of entertainment in Cape Town; at this writing there was talk of making this a monthly publication. For weekly updates try "Friday," the entertainment supplement of the Mail & Guardian, or the "Top of the Times" in Friday's Cape Times. Both are informed, opinionated, and up-to-date. The Argus newspaper's "Tonight" section gives you a complete daily listing of what's on, plus contact numbers. Tickets for almost every cultural and sporting event in the country (including movies) can be purchased through Computicket (083/915-8000. www.computicket.co.za); the problem is that you need a credit card with a South African address. Cape Town is a very gay-friendly city. For information on the gay scene, contact Africa Outing (021/671-4028 or 083/273-8422. www.afouting.com). Geared toward gay and lesbian travelers, Gay Net Cape Town (www.gaynetcapetown.co.za) provides information on events and venues in Cape Town.

Visitor Information

Cape Town Tourism (The Pinnacle, Burg and Castle Sts., Cape Town Central, Box 1403, 8000. 021/487-6800. Clock Tower Centre, South Arm Rd., Waterfront. 021/405-4500. www.tourismcapetown.co.za) is the city's official tourist body, providing information on tours, hotels, restaurants, rental cars, and shops. It has a coffee shop, wineshop, and Internet café. The staff also makes hotel, tour, and travel reservations. The office at Burg and Castle streets is open weekdays 8-6, Saturday 8:30-1, and Sunday 9-1. The Waterfront branch is open daily 9-9.