TYGERBERG HILLS

The most prominent landmark in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town is... The Tygerberg Hills, right where we are! Imagine the privilege to feel the heart beat of a Nature Reserve.... Of course you are in touch with that feeling when using The Whistling Pines for a stop over for a few days. The Tygerberg Hills is one of the biggest remnants of the Renosterveld, a unique and highly threatened West Coast vegetation. Here it is conserved as well as in the Durbanville Nature Reserve and some farms in the area. What makes it so special, is a lovely display of rare flowers just after winter. The Reserve boasts 280 hectares and upon entering this tranquil haven, one becomes overwhelmed by an urge to relax and breath in the abundance of fresh clean mountain air.

PICNICS

Pack a picnic basket (or arrange beforehand with us to do it for you) and enjoy the unique indigenous variety of plant species while you feast your ears and eyes to a variety of bird species. Other Fauna includes butterfly species, amphibian, reptile and approximately 60 mammal species. Two hiking trails may be undertaken, one short and the other for the hiking enthusiast. The Tygerberg Hills offer splendid views of the surrounding areas. While you rejuvenate yourself in the presence of nature, you can see as far as Table Mountain, False Bay, Paarl Berg and the world-renowned Robben Island. Certainly worth a visit.

NATURE DRIVES

Nature Drive - Clara Anna Fontein. You have come all the way to a very diverse Cape Town that literally offers you anything. So, while you are in Africa, why not treat yourself to a Nature Drive? Nature Safari Drives are only a stone throw away! At the private nature Reserve, Clara Anna Fontein, nature drives are offered daily at 10h00 and 15h00. Here, just outside Durbanville, you can observe 11 indigenous species at close range, including zebra, ostrich, eland and bontebok. At Clara Anna Fontein, the Renosterveld is clearly visible and the experienced tour guide will explain what has been done so far to resettle some of this threatened plant domain. During springtime, they also offer Wild flower tours, which is for lack of a better word, spectacular.

SCENIC DRIVES

If you want to experience the meeting of two oceans, treat yourself to a drive to the scenic Cape Point, situated in the heart of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. Here you can also spoil yourself with a unique eating experience at the Two Ocean Restaurant; a culinary must with unequalled views.

CAPE TOWN PROVES TO BE A SHOPPING MECCA

Approximately 10 minutes´ drive takes you to Canal Walk, said to be the largest shopping centre in the Southern Hemisphere, with more than 400 speciality shops to indulge yourself. The overall interior design of this shopping centre is an esthetic pleasure, go and see for yourself. Right adjacent to Canal Walk is the theme park, Ratanga Junction (closed in Winter) Tygervalley Shopping Centre is a mere 15 minutes from The Whistling Pines, another opportunity for a shopping bonanza.

RATANGA JUNCTION

Africa's first full-scale theme park with thrills for the young and the not-so-young: from the 100km/h Cobra to Crocodile Gorge, from international cabaret shows to the largest commercial cinema screen on the continent, its restaurants, pubs, night clubs and bands help make "the Wildest Place in Africa' the one-stop entertainment spot, day and night. (Closed in Winter)

GRAND WEST CASINO

The Grand West Casino is Cape Town's premiere gambling establishment and caters for the lovers of nightlife and gambling. As part of Sun International the casino's slot machines are linked to the progressive jackpots, including the R1 million Dream Machine. All 1750 slot machines at the casino employ smart card technology. The African Express is a challenging and popular game with progressive jackpots up to R500,000. Children's entertainment includes an Olympic-size ice rink, video arcade, go-carts and mini-golf, all in a supervised play area.

TYGERBERG ZOO

Tygerberg Zoo is Cape Town’s only zoo. With 24 hectares of land it is situated roughly 40 minutes from Cape Town central. The Tygerberg Zoo is home to lions, tigers, zebra, cheetah, chimpanzees and marmosets. The types of animals include: 61 mammal species, 160 bird species and 63 reptile species. A visit to the zoo is definitely worth it; with a wide range of animals to view the zoo offers a great day of entertainment. The zoo also specializes in the breeding of rare and endangered species so you will have the opportunity to see animals you would seldom see in the wild. For younger children there is the children’s farmyard and there is a shop where you can purchase refreshments.

DURBANVILLE GOLF COURSE

The Durbanville Golf Club is located in the Northern Suburbs of Cape Town, just a 30 km drive or 25 minutes from Cape Town on the N1 freeway. There are no steep hills to climb, nor thick jungle to swallow your golf ball. Here you will find open space with beautiful fairways, bent grass greens the equal of any others, a course in immaculate condition. All in all, a wonderful setting for a game of golf with a view across the course to the distant mountains from the lounge bar, where you can enjoy your drink after the game.

CAMPS BAY BEACH

Visit one of the most beautiful places in the world. Indecently some of the most beautiful people in the world can also be found here. You can’t miss it! Enjoy leisurely, sun filled days on the beach. Camps Bay Beach is a broad stretch of palm tree-lined white sand bordering the bracing waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Set at the foot of a spectacular series of mountain peaks, the Twelve Apostles, yet only 10 minutes from the city center by car, it is one of Cape Town's most popular beaches.

WHALE WATCHING FROM TABLE VIEW AND BLAAUWBERG,

is also just a 15-minute drive and boasts with sandy white beaches bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Whale watching is very popular and whales are often spotted here, not only during whale season (September, October), but also as early as February and March due to the rich feeding in the colder Atlantic waters.

KIRSTENBOSCH NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

This oasis of peace & quite is a mere 15 minute drive from the bustling city centre. Set in beautiful surroundings on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, this magnificent 538-hectare garden features a rich diversity of indigenous South African plants. The lower part of Kirstenbosch consists of large flowerbeds & expansive lawns while higher up the slopes, the cultivated garden gives way to natural forest & fynbos. At the main entrance an impressive conservatory houses a wide variety of plants from other climatic regions of South Africa. There is a restaurant, an information desk & shop.

DURBANVILLE WINE ROUTE

For the wine lover, Durbanville offers an exclusive and unique Wine Valley route, only 15 minutes drive from The Whistling Pines. Few people realize it, but the Durbanville area was one of the first areas to make wine and some of the farms had been proclaimed as early as 1698. Currently there are 9 wine producers in the area, which also makes for an excellent country drive whilst visiting the farms. Fertile soils, rain to sustain dry land vineyards and hills facing just the right way, make these farms suitable to a variety of cultivars. All of the above mentioned in combination with a cool climate (wind from the sea), cause the grapes to ripen slowly and this is just what is needed to intensify the wine's flavors. White wines are particularly high on the list and almost all the farmers offer wine tastings and meals, ranging from top quality cuisine to light al fresco lunches.

HIKING & CLIMBING

From Table Mountain to The Cederberg Wilderness, the Cape offers the hiker and trail runner a myriad of paths to explore, peaks to ascend and views to savor. Table Mountain and surrounding mountain ranges boast the best environs for rock climbing, abseiling and kloofing. If you're after gentler mountain activities, you'll be thrilled with the Peninsula's variety of mountain bike and hiking trails.