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Hout Bay Harbour
Partly given over to tourism with complexes such as Mariner’s Wharf , Hout Bay’s harbour still functions and the southern arm of the bay is a fishing port and processing centre. Cruises and snorkelling/diving trips to Duiker Island depart from here.
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Carnegie Art Gallery
Carnegie Art Gallery , is a small and delightful gallery exhibiting local artists, and with a small but excellent gift shop. Curator Judy Jordan organises township tours with an art and craft focus; these are authentic, nontourist-oriented experiences.
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Stadsaal Caves
Once occupied by the San, these sandstone caves are glorious at sunset. First visit the rock art site, on the right as you drive through the gate, then explore the network of caves with their marvellous views. Permits are available from Dwarsrivier Farm.
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Parliament
Opened in 1969 as a post-independence gift from the departing British, this hexagonal building topped with a brass dome is a major landmark in Lobamba. It is sometimes open to visitors; if you want to visit, wear neat clothes and use the side entrance.
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Mont Rochelle
Along with the uberplush hotel of the same name, this winery was bought by Richard Branson in 2014. You can combine your wine tasting with a cheese platter (R115), or enjoy lunch (mains from R95) with a view of the town and the mountains beyond.
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Glen Beach
Escape the crowds on this sheltered stretch of sand, split off from Camps Bays northern end by boulders. Swimming isnt advised, but if the surfs up this is a popular spot with locals for riding the waves. Theres stair access from the main road.
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De Beers Centenary Art Gallery
Within the campus of University of Fort Hare, the excellent De Beers Centenary Art Gallery has some very important work by contemporary South African artists, plus archive material on Steve Biko, Black Consciousness and the African National Congress.
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Garden Club
Flower-lovers should definitely contact this club – its aim is to turn Hogsback into a ‘botanical paradise’. More than a dozen gardens with short walks can be visited by prior arrangement. The town hosts a Spring Festival , held in late September.
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Huguenot Fine Chocolates
An empowerment program gave the two local guys who run this chocolatier a leg up and now people are raving about their confections. There are daily chocolate-making demonstrations including a tasting (R40) at 11am and 3pm – advance bookings recommended.
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Thohoyandou Arts & Culture Centre
One starting point for cultural explorations is this centre which displays craftwork including carved wood animals, prints, local pottery and traditional drums. A lot of it is for sale. If you get chatting to the artists then youll be in for a real treat.
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Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum
The museum housed in two handsome buildings at the entrance to St George’s Park has a small gallery of paintings and sculpture by contemporary South African artists, some older British and Eastern Cape works, plus temporary exhibitions and graduate shows.
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Himeville Museum
One of the best rural museums in the country. Housed in the last laager built in South Africa (c 1896), the museum now contains an incredible array of bric-a-brac, from the Union Jack flown at the siege of Ladysmith to a map of El Alamein signed by Montgomery.
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Maeder House Crafts Centre
Crafts centre in a missionary house near the museum. If youre staying overnight, the ladies in the adjoining shop can make you a shweshwe (printed dyed cotton fabric) shirt for M350. Lesotho’s first printing press is in the neighbouring printing works.
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Mitchell’s Brewery
South Africa’s oldest microbrewery has moved to bright, new premises on the edge of the lagoon. You can join a tour, or just taste their range of English-style beers in the beer garden. Pub meals (R45 to R70) are also served. Bookings essential for tours.
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Hartenberg Estate
Thanks to a favourable microclimate, Hartenberg produces superlative red wines, particularly cabernet, merlot and shiraz. Lunch is available (bookings essential) and from October to April picnics (R175) can be arranged to take on a wetland walk through the estate.
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Pierneef Museum
Pierneef Museum is another very interesting contemporary art museum housing a set of panels by South African artist Jacob Hendrik Pierneef. Among the almost Japanese-looking paintings is one stunning rendition of the Valley of Desolation near Graaff-Reinet.
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Raptor Rehabilitation Centre
The town is definitely worth an out-of-the-way stop if birds of prey fascinate you. The Kalahari is home to 40 of South Africa’s 67 raptor and vulture species and the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre provides a map of the best routes to follow when searching for them.
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Big Game Parks
The central reservations office is accessed through the Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. Contact it for accommodation in Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Mkhaya Game Reserve and Hlane Royal National Park. It also runs Chubeka Trails, its activities arm at Mlilwane.
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Langa Pass Museum
Call Thami Siljila to arrange a time to see inside the old Dom Pass Office where locals had to present their identity cards during apartheid. Theres a great collection of photographs and documentary evidence showing what life was like in Langa during that time.
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Great Synagogue
While at the South African Jewish Museum make time to also see the Great Synagogue consecrated in 1905. Volunteer guides will point out aspects of the neo-Egyptian style building including the symbolic stained glass windows, and pulpit carved by Anton Anreith.
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