Cape Town
Table Mountain and two oceans
What it actually costs
When to go
Cape winter: cold, rainy, grey. Table Mountain is often hidden in cloud. But it is whale watching season.
Table Mountain cable car: book first slot (8am) online. By 10am the queue is 2+ hours. Cloudy? Don't go — zero visibility at the top.
What locals know
Uber works perfectly and is cheap (R50-80 for most rides within the city). Do NOT walk in isolated areas or at night.
Bo-Kaap (colourful houses) is a quick morning walk. Combine with a Cape Malay cooking class for real immersion.
Constantia wine route is 20 minutes from the city centre. Skip Stellenbosch for a day trip unless you have 2+ days.
Boulders Beach penguins: arrive at 8am. After 10am the car park fills and you wait 30+ minutes just to enter.
Honest warnings
Safety is the real concern. Don't walk alone at night. Don't flash expensive items. Stay in tourist-friendly areas (V&A Waterfront, Camps Bay, City Bowl, Constantia).
Load shedding (power cuts) still affects the city. Hotels have generators but restaurants might not. Check the Eskom schedule.
Car break-ins happen. Never leave anything visible in a rental car — even an empty bag.
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