From mountains sprinkled with Fynbos to azure seas that lap sandy beaches to forests both on land and below the sea surface, Cape Town and the surrounding areas have a glorious collection of natural wonders that will ignite the adventurer inside you. We have highlighted the top 6 natural wonders for you to explore in Cape Town. Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town is authentic, locally-made furniture designed to create a connection between the beauty of nature and artisan craftsmanship.
TOP 6 NATURAL WONDERS OF CAPE TOWN:
Cape Town vibrates with colourful cultures, delectable dining experiences, historical buildings, and exceptional art and craftsmanship. Not only are you spoilt for choice when it comes to exploring the Cape Town lifestyle, but Cape Town is also home to a plethora of breath-taking natural spaces that invite you to wander around, viscerally experience, and feel inspired by. We have highlighted 6 exceptional natural spaces in and around Cape Town for you to explore.
1) TABLE MOUNTAIN:
Any collection of Cape Town natural wonders would be incomplete without Table Mountain. As one of the new Seven Natural Wonders of the World, Table Mountain is a prominent natural feature of Cape Town’s landscape. This majestic mountain towers above the Cape Town city bowl and provides an enchanting natural backdrop to many of the hot spots of Cape Town. Even at night, you can be mesmerised by Table Mountain as the colourful lights shimmer against the craquelure rocky surface.
The best way to explore this natural wonder is by putting on your hiking boots and starting your journey from the base to the flat summit. A morning hike up any of the hiking routes on Table Mountain will have you embraced in the warm glow of the rising sun that bounces off the rock surface and dips into the cool crevices. You can walk in amongst the hardy shrubs of Fynbos dotted on the mountainside and admire this heath vegetation that is only found in the Western Cape.
If you would like to take in the full glory of Table Mountain, the Cable Car offers a unique perspective of both the mountain and Cape Town. The gently rotating floor of the Cable Car allows unmatched 360-degree views of the steep rocky surface, glistening Atlantic Ocean, and lofty Cape Town buildings. Once on top, you can admire the view from the various look-out points sporadically positioned on the mountaintop.
2) KELP FORESTS:
For those who dare to dip below the ocean’s surface to explore the natural wonders of the Atlantic Ocean, the kelp forests will provide an enthralling experience. With some basic snorkelling gear, you can thrust yourself into an underwater world of serenity, natural beauty, and unmatched marine-life discoveries.
Kelp forests are an underwater paradise that invites you to dive deep and explore. The kelp roots anchor onto sharp rocks covered in colourful coral, verdant algae, and rippling anemones. Small fish, octopus, and starfish flit around the rock surfaces and in amongst the kelp forest, allowing for a spectacular show of marine life in their natural habitat. Divers can effortlessly glide in between the thin, tall kelp storks and look upwards at the sunshine dancing through the water and tightly meshed kelp leaves.
The Cape kelp forests are dotted all along the coast of Cape Town, with the most notable being around the Cape Peninsula. Winter is the recommended time to view the kelp forests based on sea visibility. You are sure to leave this icy natural wonder feeling refreshed and invigorated.
3) KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDENS:
Nestled on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain is the expansive Cape Town natural wonder of Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens holds the prestigious title of being one of the great botanic gardens of the world, ensuring that this natural space will truly leave you feeling in awe. A thriving landscape, mountainous backdrop, and an array of wildlife merge symbiotically in this natural oasis.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens is grandly positioned in the Cape Floral Kingdom. The Cape Floral Kingdom is the smallest of the six floral kingdoms in the world and has the highest range of biodiversity. It is also only found in South Africa, making it an especially unique natural wonder to explore at Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens will inspire you to explore. From canopy walkways to waterways to pathways in amongst bustling planters to expanses of lawn ideal for picnics, you are going to enjoy a day of sunshine and being surrounded by colourful bursts of greenery and indigenous flowers. Envelope yourself in the powerful simplicity of nature by laying on your back to watch the clouds slip along the sky and listen to the birdlife.
The Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens was not always a place of breath-taking natural beauty. The land once incorporated neglected farms, alien plant plantations, and neglected overgrowth. Through dedication and hard work, the Kirstenbosch area was transformed into an oasis of indigenous glory, protected natural enchantment, and championed biodiversity.
4) CEDERBERG WILDERNESS:
The Cederberg Wilderness will take you by surprise with its raw and organic beauty. The Cederberg Wilderness is a three-hour drive from Cape Town city centre, but the spellbinding burnt-orange landscape will be worth the trip. Untamed and sensational, the Cederberg Wilderness will transport you to an other-worldly experience of nature.
The mountains and rocky landscape of the Cederberg Wilderness are what sets this natural wonder apart from the ordinary. This World Heritage Site contains the rugged and fynbos-covered Cederberg Mountain range that is a paradise for hikers and rock climbers. The Cederberg Wilderness is home to unique sandstone rock formations, such as the Maltese Cross and Wolfberg Arch, that tower above you and glows under the sun.
The beauty of the Cederberg Wilderness rock formations is taken to historical heights with the addition of Khoi and San rock art. Found dotted around the Cederberg Wilderness, you can find historical narrations of the Khoi and San culture preserved on the sandstone surface. The combination of jagged terrain, glimpses of history, and striking beauty at the Cederberg Wilderness will leave you inspired.
During a day’s visit to this natural wonder, you are sure to encounter a diverse array of wildlife. The Cederberg Wilderness is home to a glorious array of birds, porcupines, aardvarks, the Cape fox, baboon, and more. If you are lucky, you may spot a leopard or African wild cat slinking in between the shrubs and rocks.
5) CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE:
Dazzling and dramatic, the Cape Point Nature Reserve is a popular natural attraction that is an hour’s drive outside of Cape Town. The Cape Point Nature Reserve combines cliffs, sandy beaches, and indigenous vegetation that is all positioned on a sliver of rugged land that slips into the ocean. This peaceful sanctuary of nature will surround you with the sounds of the ocean, birdlife, and wind whistling through the shrubs.
Located at the peak of the Cape Point Nature Reserve are two spectacular settings: the Cape of Good Hope and the Cape Point. The Cape of Good Hope is an awe-inspiring location that merges white beaches with an unapologetic rocky cliffside. A short but steep walk from the car park, on which you will most likely encounter baboons, lies the lighthouse at Cape Point.
From here you can stare off into the abyss of the ocean. In the spring, you may witness whales darting on the surface of the blue depth as they use these waters for mating and calve birthing.
The Cape Point Nature Reserve not only boasts panoramic views and tranquillity, but also a diversity of wildlife. Alongside the protected Chacma baboons, you can find the Cape Mountain zebra, red hartebeest, eland, tortoises, various insects, and spectacular birds. Below the surface lies a world of unparalleled marine life as a result of the merging of the Indian and Atlantic oceans.
6) AFRO-MONTANE FOREST:
Cape Town is home to one of the last afro-montane forests in South Africa, making this area a glorious natural wonder to explore. This pocket of lush dark-green trees is positioned in the steep mountain ravines behind Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens. You will find a variety of trees that cast a cool, moist shade on the mountainside, including towering yellowwoods, ironwoods, and wild olive trees.
The afro-montane forests invite you to wander through the patches of sunshine and dark green overgrowth. Step in between the trunks to uncover small shrubs, sun-bleached boulders, and quiet spaces for admiring the beauty of nature. This picturesque setting will be a memorable experience in one of Cape Town’s natural wonders.
LOUW ROETS DESIGNER FURNITURE CAPE TOWN:
Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town is a locally-inspired collection of elegant and simple furniture. We embrace the connection between humans and the environment and thus emphasise the beauty of our surroundings in the style of our designer furniture. The harmony and authenticity of the natural spaces in and around Cape Town are reflected in the gentle curves, flowing lines, and organic balance of Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town.
The boutique manufacturing of Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town demonstrates a connection between craftsmanship and nature. Our artisan craftsmen judiciously select each piece of natural wood, sand it down to a smooth finish, and craft each traditional joinery until each designer furniture Cape Town piece achieves our level of inspirational quality. Our slow manufacturing process to craft our handmade designer furniture Cape Town reflects the time nature takes to artfully create each natural wonder.
The purity and simplicity of nature are emphasised in the use of natural materials in the craftsmanship of Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town. Our range of wooden designer furniture celebrates the beauty of organic materials by allowing the wood’s grain and structure to be highlighted in each piece of furniture. We pair leather, steel, paper cord, and glass with our wooden furniture to create a modern yet timeless contrast against the undulating curves of our natural wooden designer furniture Cape Town.
The inspiring natural wonders of Cape Town can be explored now and forever. The longevity of the beauty and authenticity of nature is mirrored in the craftsmanship of Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town. We emphasise quality and durability in the design of our elegant designer furniture pieces to ensure that you can enjoy the comfort and practicality of your selected Louw Roets table, chair, or light endlessly.
Our showroom, located just outside of Cape Town in Somerset West, houses our range of designer furniture Cape Town. You are invited to explore the organic forms, natural materials, and sophisticated simplicity of our designer furniture collection. Take a journey towards functionality, beauty, and sustainability with our insightful range of hand-crafted designer furniture.
Louw Roets designer furniture Cape Town is proudly locally-made, authentically designed, and crafted in the spirit of the natural beauty of the natural wonders of Cape Town.