Aari

We are a couple with a 1.5 y old toddler and weŽll arrive to CPT in February. We are thinking of staying first 3 nights in a Guesthouse in Kalk Bay - do you think Kalk Bay is OK as a base camp for exploring CPT and surroundings? How far is it from airport? What about the beach there - safe for swimming?

Selwyn_Davidowitz

Aari,

Kalk Bay would be a wonderful litle village to stay in (fabulous village atmosphere) however I dont think that it would be a perfect place to explore the Cape Town region from purely because of it's distance from the city centre. (40 minutes on a clear traffic day)

If you want to spend your 3 days in our city by using one day to explore the area adjacent to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve + a day in the Winelands and lets say your last day on a False Bay beach like St.James, then your stay will be a wonderful one if you reside in Kalk Bay. On the other hand if you want to visit the city of Cape Town, Waterfront, Robben Island, Table Mountain and forego staying near a swimming beach (where the water is relatively warm such as the False Bay side of the mountain) then I would suggest a guesthouse on the Atlantic seaboard side of Cape Town like Green Point, Sea Point or Camps Bay.

In answer to your direct questions Kalk Bay is relatively far from the airport. (Minumum 30 minute drive) while it is very close to St.James Beach which is a great little safe beach with warm water to swim at.

Hope the above helps and that you and your family enjoy our wonderful city when you visit us.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

Aari

Thank you so much, Selwyn, followed your advice and booked De Waterkant Village and Life for first 3 nights.

Now we are thinking of whether to hop on a rented car right from the airport or leave us some time to "acclimate" with the left-hand traffic and explore the central CPT by foot/taxi. Hence, would be grateful of any hints about reasonable taxi prices to avoid a rip-off on following routes:
1) Airport - CPT De Waterkant
2) De Waterkant - Kirsteboch Botanical Gardens (we arrive to CPT on Sun noon and would love to go to an open-air concert there)

Selwyn_Davidowitz

Aari,

1) Airport - CPT De Waterkant

Look at a rate of about R180 for 2. I doubt if they will charge for the toddler.

2) De Waterkant - Kirsteboch Botanical Gardens

Look at a one way rate of about R150-R180 for 2.

Speak to your taxi driver who takes you to De Waterkant from the airport, that is if you are happy with him. Take his cellphone number and use him for the rest of your taxi travels. Tell him beforehand that you are going to do this and you will probably obtain a better rate for all.

If you are going to a concert at Kirstenbosch this it is all the more reason to make contact with a taxi as you will have difficulty finding a taxi after a Kirstenbosch concert unless you have booked one privately. If you know your taxi driver's numbers then all is solved in this reagrd.

Enjoy our city when you visit us.

Very proudly part of the wonderful nation of South Africa

Aari

Thanks, Selwyn, once again, this info is most helpful! Definitely looking very much forward to visiting your wonderful city!