10 Reasons to Celebrate the New Year in Cape Town
Cape Town, South Africa
is one of our all-time favorite destinations any time of the year, but New Year’s is a particularly great time to visit and here are ten reasons why!
1. Award-winning Restaurants
The restaurants are obviously there year-round but dining on New Year’s in Cape Town is particularly lively and festive. For those of you looking for a glamourous New Year’s celebration, the Bungalow is an absolute must. The Bungalow is Cape Town’s replica of Malibu where you can watch the sun set beyond the edge of the Atlantic Ocean from the dramatic cliff upon which it sits and while sipping on an amazing selection of cocktails. Serving South Africa’s best wines and champagnes, delicate plump sushi, delectable carpaccio and endless choices of mouth-watering freshly-caught seafood. Other restaurants to consider are Mondiall and the 12 Apostles. A few things to look forward to at Mondiall are an excellent waterfront view of the fireworks and white mushroom crème brulee, meanwhile the 12 Apostles similarly features gorgeous views of the coast and a luxurious 5 course menu. To learn more about some of our favorite top restaurants in Cape Town, click here for our post on Cape of Good Eats.
2. Luxury Yacht Cruise
There’s nothing to welcome the New Year quite like a luxury yacht cruise in South Africa’s Camps Bay. A change of pace, great views and fun cocktails await.
3. Jet Set in the Cape Winelands
We can’t think of a better time to sample top vintages than New Year’s and of a better place than the Cape Winelands. So for those of you who have been to Napa far too many times and are looking to celebrate in style, consider spending New Year’s in Franschhoek, just an hour and a half from the center of Cape Town. The town of Franschhoek boasts a wide selection of internationally recognized and award-winning cellars and restaurants. It is also home to the annual Kinky Summer festival where you can dance the night away as the clock encroaches on midnight.
4. Winter is summer in Cape Town
For many of us, New Year’s is characterized by a cold snowy day from which we seek refuge by celebrating indoors. In Cape Town however, a southern hemisphere destination, the seasons are reversed and the best time to visit is during the hot sunny months of November through March – with New Year’s being right in the middle. Do note however that we’re not the only ones to know this, and if you’re planning on spending the holiday in South Africa at this time, it is best to book far in advance.
5. Festivals & Parties
The New Year’s Eve lantern festival in Nieu Bethesda is a great way to welcome the next 365 days. You can make your own lantern at the Bethesda Arts Center and later join the parade as the night draws to a close. Or rather celebrate ‘a la Great Gatsby’ and attend a 1920’s themed Masquerade ball at Chicago Piano Bar, where you can choose from a sit down dinner and dance or just partake in the dancing! There are so many festivals and parties to choose from when you spend New Year’s in Cape Town.
6. Ox Braai Roast
One of the biggest bashes in town and a traditional celebration. This annual New Year’s party involves a plethora of alcohol and perfectly roasted ox spits. From there, many will continue the festivities on the beach at Kenton-on-Sea, a small coastal town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, otherwise known as the Sunshine Coast
7. Swim with Penguins
New Year’s is the perfect opportunity for new experiences and it’s not every day that we get the chance to swim with penguins off the coast of South Africa. A day at the beach takes on a whole new meaning when you’re darting in and out of the water with 3,000 African penguins at Boulders Beach. Shark diving is also on offer for the adrenaline addicts and bucket list enthusiasts.
8. Kruger Park Safari
As a company with a deep appreciation for the African continent and its extraordinary wildlife, we’ll recommend a safari any day of the year so why not New Year’s? Kruger Park is a bit of a trek from Cape Town but as one of the largest game reserves in Africa, it’s certainly worth it. Kruger National Park is the flagship of South African parks – it extends across 2 million hectares of land and is home to an astounding number and variety of species including more than 150 mammals, just over 500 birds and roughly 115 reptiles. You will undoubtedly see most if not all of the Big Five: lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhino.
9. Hiking Table Mountain
Most of us can agree that celebration is always better and more gratifying after a good challenge. Start New Year’s Eve with a hike up Table Mountain where you will see breathtaking vistas at every turn of the way. We recommend the Platteklip Gorge Trail which can take up to three hours but the panoramic view of the city and the surrounding sea at the top is the perfect way to jumpstart the ensuing night’s festivities.
10. Hot Air Balloon in South Africa
You can take on this experience in one or two ways. You can either embark on an enchanting balloon safari on New Year’s Eve or you can use the experience as a cure to New Year’s inevitable hangover. Wake up before dawn (or stay out until dawn) and float over the game of golden Magaliesburg or the bucolic hills of the Cape Winelands as the sun slowly creeps above you. Follow this spectacular experience with a champagne breakfast, especially if you’re going for the post New Year’s option - the hair of the dog is a thing for a reason.
