Northern suburbs

The northern suburbs are readily accessible from all directions, the area is close to Cape Town International Airport and contains a wide spread of commercial and industry, from the Grand West Casino complex to wine estates.

The 278ha Tygerberg Nature Reserve (you can see most of the Cape Peninsula from here!) has more than 8000m of hiking trails and is open throughout the year. The Reserve contains some of the last remnants of the West Coast Renosterveld, a threatened vegetation, and has 158 bird species, among them the Cape sugarbird, Hottentot buttonquail and orange-breasted sunbird.

Tyger Waterfront is built around an old quarry and now has a 4ha man-made lake and a storm-water waterfall, which is at its most beautiful in winter! The development is fast becoming a huge attraction, with modern buildings hugging the water canals. There is plenty to do here, as Tygervalley is close to the Durbanville Wine Route and Paarl Wine Routes, beaches (Bloubergstrand), golf courses, and weekend craft markets. Shopping is a major draw card here, and you can explore shops at the Tygervalley Shopping Centre, Canal Walk or even the V&A Waterfront close by.

The Durbanville Wine Route, with nine estates, is within easy reach of Welgemoed and can be explored in a day. The views are spectacular, looking onto Table Mountain from various viewpoints.

One of the best-kept secrets in Bellville is the High Street shopping complex, which has its own theatre and is just off Durban Road. Another gem is the Mayibuye Centre, which has a selection of material from South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.

A local craft market held on the first Saturday of each month, is located at Rust and Vrede, a Cape Dutch complex dating back to 1850. Originally a prison, magistrate’s court, school and then private residence, these days it houses a coffee shop, clay museum and a gallery exhibiting contemporary artists.

Grand West Casino brings an excitement to the Western Cape’s entertainment scene.

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