Category: West Coast

18 things to do in Riebeek Kasteel and the Riebeek Valley

15/10/2025

By Roxanne Reid
Riebeek Kasteel and the Riebeek Valley have some serious history – stone-age tools and ancient KhoiSan rock art kind of old. But these days, it’s more about lazy weekends and good vibes, especially for Capetonians looking to escape the city for a few days. Here are some of my favourite things to do, from heritage, art and culture to food, wine and olives, with some outdoor adventure thrown in too.

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CapeNature reserves: Cederberg to Kogelberg and more

19/8/2025

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Cape Nature reserves: Stadsaal caves, Cederberg

By Roxanne Reid
What I love about CapeNature reserves is how they balance looking after nature with letting people actually experience it. Conservation is the top priority (as it should be), but they understand that ecotourism is a brilliant way to get people excited about nature – and also help fund the work that keeps these places protected. Here are some of my favourite spots, stretching from the rugged Cederberg all the way to the wild beauty of Kogelberg and beyond.

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15 things to do in the Cederberg mountains

19/11/2024

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Things to do in the Cederberg mountains: Truitjisekraal

By Roxanne Reid
About 220km from Cape Town, the Cederberg Wilderness Area makes a great weekend getaway. Whether you’re all about hiking and mountain biking or more of a heritage and culture buff, there’s something for everyone. And if you just want to kick back with a glass of wine and soak in the view of the mountains as the clouds drift by, that’s fine too. Here’s my pick of things to do in the Cederberg.

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CapeNature’s cottages at Algeria, Cederberg Wilderness Area

2/10/2024

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CapeNature’s cottages at Algeria, Cederberg

By Roxanne Reid
Untamed and craggy, the Cederberg Wilderness Area is about 220km north of Cape Town – a perfect short break that feels a million miles from city life. Here mountains dominate the horizons and you can let your imagination run riot among the jagged sandstone formations. We visited to explore and to stay in CapeNature’s cottages at Algeria.

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Paternoster restaurants worth visiting

12/3/2024

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By Roxanne Reid
You’ve spent the day exploring the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve and lighthouse, walking on the beach at Paternoster and kayaking in the sea. Now your stomach is growling. Luckily, there’s no way you’re going to go hungry in Paternoster, with restaurants offering everything from pizzas and burgers to seafood and fine dining. Here are some Paternoster restaurants worth visiting.

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20 things to do in Paternoster on the West Coast

20/2/2024

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Things to do in Paternoster: walk on the beach

By Roxanne Reid
For the locals, life in Paternoster revolves around the sea. Fishing is the historical lifeblood of the village and fishermen still go out almost every day in their colourful wooden boats. For visitors, of course, there’s more variety. Here are 20 things to do in Paternoster on the West Coast of South Africa.

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20 things to do in Darling, Western Cape

1/12/2021

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Things to do in Darling: visit Evita se Perron

By Roxanne Reid
The West Coast village of Darling, just over an hour’s drive from Cape Town, is a well-loved weekend getaway, particularly during the Darling Wildflower Show in September. But Darling has a lot more to offer at any time of year. Here are 20 things to do in Darling on the Western Cape’s West Coast.

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Cape Columbine Nature Reserve & lighthouse, Paternoster

29/9/2021

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By Roxanne Reid
[Updated February 2024]
When you visit Paternoster on the West Coast, one of the highlights is the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve & lighthouse about 5km away along a gravel road. The nature reserve is especially pretty when carpeted with spring flowers and there’s something hugely romantic about lighthouses and their keepers.

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West Coast National Park: the ultimate guide

25/8/2021

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Preekstoel beach, West Coast National Park

By Roxanne Reid
Place of clear aquamarine waters and white sand beaches, wetlands, eland and zebra, flamingos and pelicans, whales and dolphins. In Spring, the area bursts into a splash of colour as wildflowers bloom. For outdoor enthusiasts there’s hiking, mountain biking and swimming. Find out more in West Coast National Park: the ultimate guide.

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Best South African holiday destinations and places to visit

26/3/2021

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Best South African holiday destinations: Cape Town

By Roxanne Reid
If you were to compile a bucket list of places in South Africa you have to visit at least once in your life, what would you include? For me they’d need to offer something special in the way of nature, wildlife, beaches, culture and heritage, activities and experiences. Here’s a roundup of 20 of the best South African holiday destinations including a bucket list of places to visit if you haven’t already.

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