I hate to break it to you: there aren’t any direct flights from NYC to Cape Town. I purchased my RT to Johannesburg for $1092.01, and hopped over to CPT after a few days. The least expensive flights from NYC to JoBurg usually cost between $1,050–1,450, and a RT between JoBurg and CPT is usually $95-$135.
The ‘Mother City’ is affectionately describes South Africa’s oldest city, and it’s laid-back work ethic: “it takes 9 months for things to happen in the city”. I stayed in a mod studio apartment in a 17-story development conveniently located near the city center. I was happy my Airbnb booking cost $29.79 nightly for four nights – after cleaning and service fees totaled $158.59. My studio boasts sprawling views of colorful Bo-Kaap, a much-photographed historical township where people of color were sequestered during apartheid.
Within walking distance was the Greenmarket Square. In past times it served as a slave market, a vegetable market, a parking lot and is now a trading post for African souvenirs and crafts. Walking through the square, I found a gorgeous headwrap done in traditional South African shweshwe fabric. As an Afro-Caribbean travel accessories designer, I felt that print in my soul!
I hiked Table Mountain – and lived to tell the story of my 3hr climb! If I had known before that I could have taken a 15 min cable car ride for $22 in the morning or $19 in the afternoon, I might have made very different choices.
Transport was easily accessible via Uber. My longest ride was a 51 minute drive from the city center to Boulder Beach to see African penguins. One way this trip cost $24.92. There was a $10 charge to enter the beach.
There’s endless good culinary options in the city center. I sated my adventuresome palate at Mama’s Cafe with crocodile, ostrich, venison, kudu and springbok. It cost R 500 or $34.54 (I’ll mention that $1 USD = R14.61). With live music and interactive entertainment, I had the best time as the lead singer of the band at Mama’s called me onstage to play the xylophone! ♀️
Khadeidra Le Gendre
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