Having Visitors in Cape Town! A Guide to Hosting Your Friends & Family Abroad

Hey readers! In this blog I will be talking about how I made the most out of my mom’s five day visit to Cape Town. I was fortunate enough to have her visit me while I’m abroad, which was so much fun for the both of us! She doesn’t travel often, and had never been on the African continent before, so I knew I wanted to make her trip extra special and fun. 

Before she came to Cape Town, the two of us went to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park, Botswana for the remainder of my mid-semester break after the IES Abroad facilitated trip. During this, we were able to explore the Falls, go on a dinner cruise along the Zambezi River, go on a safari in Chobe, and visit an elephant sanctuary. Because of these experiences, the both of us were pretty tired the Sunday we returned to Cape Town, so I didn’t plan too much for that night. To keep things casual and allow her to see the city’s beauty, we picked up some dinner and ate atop Signal Hill while watching the sunset. 

On Monday, I arranged for us to hike Lion’s Head. If you or someone you know is visiting Cape Town, I’d suggest doing a bit of research before choosing a hike, especially if you’re new to hiking. Lion’s head is one of Cape Town’s most famous landmarks and is hiked by thousands of people every year. However, I think it's important to keep in mind that the scale of difficulty for hikes in Cape Town versus the U.S. is drastically different. As a runner and an active individual, the hike is pretty easy for me, but it definitely wouldn’t be labeled as a beginner-friendly, easy hike in the States. Just keep in mind that South Africans have a greater tolerance for hiking compared to the average American! :) After the hike we went to my favorite restaurant in Cape Town, the Conscious Kitchen. It’s an all vegan restaurant with lots of options that even non-vegans can enjoy! 

The following day my mom and I went to Boulder’s Beach in Simon’s Town to see the African penguin colony. It was definitely not the right weather to be swimming at the beach, but it was so fun to see the penguin colony up close! The penguins make a surprisingly weird sound, similar to that of a donkey. Because of this, they’re sometimes referred to as jackass penguins! African penguins are critically endangered due to climate change, over-fishing, habitat destruction, and human disruption. Therefore it is imperative that action is taken to protect these vital (and adorable) sea birds. That afternoon, the two of us headed to Beau Constantia for a wine-tasting. The sommeliers were so knowledgeable on the different wines and the vineyard was breathtakingly beautiful. 

On Wednesday, we started the day walking the boardwalk in Sea Point. The sun had finally come out, so it was good to spend time outside. For the afternoon, I made a reservation for my mom and I at the Mount Nelson Hotel for high tea. It was so much fun to dress up and visit the gorgeous hotel that I passed nearly every day. The Garden Room was beautifully decorated and the service was incredible! They had a huge selection of teas, and they also catered to many different dietary restrictions, including vegans! 

Thursday was my mom’s final day in Cape Town because she had an early morning flight back to New York on Friday. We went to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens and learned about all of the biodiversity and different plant species in Cape Town. This was my mom’s favorite activity and what she had been most excited to visit! She absolutely loves protea flowers and was so excited to see them in their natural habitat. 

I am so incredibly grateful that my mom was able to visit me while I’m studying abroad and share my love for Cape Town. There were dozens of more activities and places I wish we could’ve done and seen, but unfortunately she only had about five days to spend here. I truly believe that a lifetime is still not enough time to truly enjoy every wonderful aspect of this city. Cape Town has something for everyone and is one of the most amazing places you could ever be.