6 Photogenic Experiences in Cape Town, South Africa – Photo Tips, Creative Photography + Travel Guides

Discover Photogenic Cape Town: A Visual Journey

Southern seas meet a shoreline of seashores, bays, and boulders whereas towering sandstone peaks rise as a backdrop over this South African metropolis.

Of course, I’m speaking about Cape Town, a metropolis I’ve longed to go to and at last acquired the prospect to {photograph} this May whereas exploring with South Africa Tourism and Adventure World. The mild, the fog, the waves, the tradition, the penguins, the fynbos…there’s a lot to see, expertise and {photograph} and I’m going to share my highlights and probably the most photogenic experiences I had beneath.

If you’re visiting Cape Town for the primary time, I imagine it’s essential to have a wide range of adventures deliberate that not solely cowl the pure wonders and landscapes but in addition delve into the historical past.

During my journey, I spent three nights on the Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa close to Camps Bay, and had two full days to enterprise everywhere in the metropolis, sea, and shoreline. A brief, however jam-packed journey that you may replicate when you’re visiting earlier than, or after a safari expertise.

1. Photographing Sunset Over the Sea

It took me some time to get my bearings as I’d assumed Cape Town, positioned in southern South Africa, confronted south. However, because it sits on the western facet of the Cape Peninsula, it faces west, which means the glow of sundown lingers over the horizon earlier than dipping into the ocean.

Photographing the sundown as rolling swell crashed into the rocky shore and sea birds of their lots of flew low throughout the ocean was such a delight. I switched between the 40-150mm f2.8 lens and the 12-40mm f2.8 lens to try to seize as many variations of the scene earlier than me, even including the MC-20 2 X Teleconverter to get somewhat nearer to these sea birds.

When photographing sundown in Cape Town, you possibly can go for a lot of places, my choose although, is wherever with some attention-grabbing panorama options, like a rocky bay or mountain climbing path so you possibly can incorporate the surroundings into your composition. I photographed from Oudekraal Beach simply in entrance of the lodge and would additionally advocate giving the path at Lions Head (wonderful views), and Signal Hill a peek when you’re acquired just a few nights within the metropolis.

2. Road Trip Along Chapman’s Peak Drive with Cape Sidecar Adventures

Photographing from a sidecar was by no means on my want listing, nor my radar, and whereas my companion enjoys motorbikes, I’ve by no means wished to don a helmet and be a part of him. Well, generally you don’t know what you’re lacking, and after I noticed ‘Sidecar Adventure’ on our itinerary, I used to be somewhat nervous. Spoiler…it was one of the crucial unexpectedly enjoyable and thrilling issues I’ve accomplished in a very long time.

Embarking on a street journey alongside Chapman’s Peak Drive with Cape Sidecar Adventures was an exhilarating mix of views, the weather and a splash of cuteness once we had been launched to the boss man ‘Brody’ (see his Instagram right here). This scenic route, affectionately often known as “Chappies,” was accomplished in 1922 and is taken into account one of many world’s most scenic drives. The street winds alongside the coast, providing 114 curves that reveal breathtaking views of the rugged shoreline and the Atlantic Ocean.

One of the advantages of driving in a sidecar, is you possibly can sit there and {photograph} the journey with out home windows in your approach! Because I wasn’t certain what was round every nook, I opted for the mix of my OM-1 MKII + 40-150mm f2.8 lens so I might doc the landscapes, road scenes and zoom into Brody when he was forward…take a look at these ears.

3. Taking the Cable Car Up to Table Mountain

Now, if I had extra time I’d be writing ‘Photograph Sunrise/Sunset from Table Mountain’, nonetheless, our itinerary didn’t permit for that and so, when you’re visiting quickly, please do it and share the photographs with me, I’d like to see what you seize because the rolling fog dancing up the mountain have to be so photogenic throughout golden hour!

We ventured up within the morning, and whereas it began extraordinarily foggy, the kind of fog that’s difficult to drive in, as soon as we jumped on the cable automotive, it started to clear, blue skies had been above and as soon as up the highest, my mouth dropped open in disbelief. As a photographer, it may possibly really feel like you could solely go to scenic viewpoints throughout the early or later hours of the day, however generally it’s simply not doable and I’m all for having fun with and witnessing a scene at any time of the day.

The pathways on prime of Table Mountain are simple to wander round, venturing proper to the sting of the cliff because it takes a dramatic plunge all the way down to town beneath. Standing nonetheless on the platforms and watching because the clouds whisp and weave by way of the valleys is an expertise everybody ought to try to have when visiting Cape Town.

Rising 1,085 meters (3,558 ft) above sea degree, Cape Town’s skyline, the sprawling shoreline, and the huge horizon are all seen from the highest and when you’ve acquired time, I’d encourage you to attend out any dangerous climate if there’s lots of wind, it may possibly sweep by way of fairly shortly and also you by no means know what will likely be revealed as soon as these clouds half.

4. A Day Trip to Robben Island

Visiting Robben Island was a profound, insightful and academic expertise. While my guides have a tendency to incorporate areas of pure magnificence and photogenic experiences, the historical past right here is essential to know when photographing Cape Town and I’d extremely advocate a tour of the island to really perceive the why and the way, regardless of being a spot of harsh imprisonment, the human connection stood sturdy.

The island’s wealthy historical past as a navy base, infirmary and jail provides layers of depth to your Cape Town go to and whereas I don’t wish to take away from the primary cause it is best to go to Robben Island, it additionally presents unbelievable views wanting again in direction of the Cape Peninsula with sea birds and penguins.

Nelson Mandela was imprisoned on Robben Island for 18 of his 27 years in captivity and the tales instructed by our information, ex-prisoner Sparks, had been extraordinarily transferring and eye-opening. Sparks instructed us of the therapy, the situations, shared how they stayed sturdy mentally and a narrative I discovered most fascinating was how they managed to share messages between inmates whereas enjoying tennis as soon as every week.

Robben Island is as much as an hour ferry journey from the V&A Waterfront, and you’ll prepare your tickets through Adventure World, notably when you’re after a non-public tour which permits for a extra intimate expertise.

5. Lunch at Steenberg Vineyards

Benefitting from numerous topography, a variation of soils and influenced by each the Indian and Atlantic Oceans, the Cape presents among the finest wineries on the earth.

Steenberg Vineyards is a feast for the senses and only a 30-minute drive from virtually wherever in Cape Town, together with V&A Waterfront or Camps Bay. Established in 1682, this historic property is the oldest registered farm within the Cape area, that includes a stupendous manor home in-built 1740, showcasing traditional Cape Dutch structure.

The sprawling vineyards and historic structure create an ideal setting for pictures, and after putting my order, I did somewhat sprint across the gardens to seize the colors and setting. You can e-book in for a wine tasting expertise, studying in regards to the variations and course of from a sommelier, after which get pleasure from lunch on the terrace overlooking the vineyards. I discovered the interiors simply as photogenic because the surroundings right here, take a peek beneath on the décor, beautiful!

6. Nature Walks in Oudekraal Nature Reserve

Oudekraal Nature Reserve is a coastal space the place fynbos meets dense salty sea air beneath towering sandstone cliffs, providing a peaceable escape from town and very best spot to {photograph} dawn and sundown.

Located alongside Victoria Road between Camps Bay and Llandudno, this a part of the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area is residence to a wide range of indigenous plant species and presents tranquil walks by way of untouched landscapes, it’s possible you’ll even spot a seal or penguin too.

The nature walks by way of this reserve supply loads of alternatives to {photograph} the pure fantastic thing about the realm, with views alongside the coast and flora to incorporate in your picture composition. If you’re staying at The Twelve Apostles Hotel & Spa, you can begin your stroll from the property.

Sunset right here may be very particular, with the nice and cozy glow illuminating the wealthy reds of the protea, and the colourful inexperienced foliage scattered throughout the surroundings. Sunrise can convey a mixture of situations, you might have a pastel palette to work with, or fog may very well be sweeping beneath the cliffs and throughout the ocean…it’s value taking an opportunity on each and seeing what you get dealt to {photograph}.

Visit South Africa Tourism for inspiration | Book a Custom Itinerary with Adventure World

Enjoyed studying? Share the article!