I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and would like to recommend the following to any visitors :

(1) The vintage steam train trip of 67 km from George to Knysna (the Outeniqua Choo-Choo) is an absolute MUST. The train line runs right next to the sea for a lot of the way and the scenery is fabulous. There are at least 2 trains a day between the two towns. Note that the train no longer departs from George station but rather from the Outeniqua Railway Museum (2 Mission Street, George), a short distance further up the track. Tel 044 801 8288 (in George) or 044 382 1361 (in Knysna).

(2) Port Alfred is a great, unspoilt (and little-known) town on the Sunshine Coast midway between Port Elizabeth and East London. You can't get there on the N2 (the main route between Port Elizabeth and East London) - you must go on the coast road (the R72), or take the Baz Bus (tel 021 439 2323 or e-mail info@bazbus.com). Trains used to run to Port Alfred but no longer do so. Port Alfred is built around the Kowie River with great, deserted beaches on either side of the river mouth. East Beach is a good surfing spot. There is a campsite on the river not far from the beach (The Willows, tel 046 624 5201).

(3) Everybody heads for Hermanus on the Cape south coast, but Kleinmond (on the coast nearer to Cape Town) is smaller and more unspoilt. There is a marvelous campsite just west of town on the edge of the Palmiet River and right on the beach (tel 028 271 8157 or e-mail tesourie@hangklip-kleinmond.co.za). You can swim in the river, the lagoon or the sea. There is also a walk along the rocks from the Palmiet River mouth to town - great for whale watching. You can park next to the bridge over the Palmiet River on the R44 coastal road and swim in the river - there is a great spot where you can jump into the water from rocks about 6 or 7 metres up.

(4) The coastal road (the R44) in the Western Cape from Gordons Bay to Kleinmond is fabulous. It is right next to the sea on the cliffs and has marvelous views. The road was recently upgraded and has plenty of spots for stopping to view the scenery. The views are better if you travel west (ie. towards Gordons Bay). This coast road actually extends all the way from the Strand to Hermanus, Gansbaai, Pearly Beach and beyond (but not to Cape Agulhas, you have to go inland to get there), but the best views are the section between Gordons Bay and Kleinmond.

(5) Bloukrans Bridge (on the N2 east of Knysna) has the highest commercial bungee jump in the world at 216 metres (tel 042 281 1458 or e-mail bungy@global.co.za).

(6) The train trip from Cape Town to Simonstown on the Southern Suburbs MetroRail line is a must for people who have a few days in Cape Town. It takes about an hour, and from Muizenberg south the line is next to the Indian Ocean with great views. There are frequent trains every day, including weekends. Simonstown itself (formerly a Royal Navy base, now the SA Navy headquarters) is worth visiting - it's less than 10 minutes walk up the main road from Simonstown station.

(7) Noordhoek Beach was recently voted as one of the best 3 beaches in the Western Cape, but isn't well-known to visitors. It is a huge expanse of white sand, freezing water and massive waves (great for surfing, but bring a wet-suit). If you don't have a car, take a MetroRail train to Fish Hoek (which itself has a great beach with warm water) then a bus from there ; this will take at least 90 minutes from Cape Town. By car take the M3 south (De Waal Drive) to the end, turn right onto the M42 west (Steenberg Road) then left onto the M64 south (Ou Kaapse Weg). About 6 kilometres further turn right, then right again onto the M6 and follow the signs for "Noordhoek Beach". Nearby there are a couple of excellent restaurants and pubs (most notably the Red Herring, tel 021 789 1783). Previously you could get to Noordhoek by driving along the Atlantic Coast from Cape Town (Victoria Road, the M6), but since the closure of Chapman's Peak drive (the M6 south of Hout Bay) due to rockfalls this is no longer possible.

Really interested in visiting Cape Town sometime this year. We hear a lot about security in South Africa, I know probably a lot is blown up but you never know what the real situation is unless you are there. I'm a single female thinking of travelling there, would I have problems in Cape Town and surroundings areas being a single female?
I might ask you a few more questions about Cape Town and SA as I have to confess I have zilch knowledge on the country as a tourist destination!

annie.
ive just come back from two brilliant months in SA. loved every second of it and i travelled it on my own!
obviously safety is an issue, but as long as you keep your witts about you and dont take risks it was fine. Inndonesia was much scarier as a lone female.
One of the most beautiful countrys in the world.
Sam

I have just returned from a stay at Camps Bay, Cape Town... great place - would thoroughly recommend it to anyone.

Paul

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