Camps Bay

You know that summer has arrived in Cape Town when you suddenly get that urge to phone some friends or a loved one and go for an evening picnic after work. As the temperatures rise what better way to relax and unwind after a hard day’s work than to pack a delicious picnic and some good red wine and head off to your favourite picnic spot. If you are on holiday and staying in Cape Town accommodation here are just a few of our favourite places to picnic in and around Cape Town.

Oudekraal Beach

Take a scenic drive out of Cape Town to Camps Bay located right on the seafront with the Twelve Apostles Mountains as a backdrop. Pass through Camps Bay and before you reach Llandudno you will stumble across Oudekraal Beach, a little gem of a picnic spot, a sheltered cove with huge boulders and a clean sandy beach. You can either choose to picnic on the beach itself or opt for one of the designated picnic spots located under the Milkwood trees. Arrive in time to watch the sun-setting on a perfect day in Cape Town or enjoy watching the resident seal colony that has made its home here.

Kirtstenbosch National Botanical Gardens

Set against the Eastern slopes of the iconic Table Mountain the lawns at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens have long been a perfect picnic spot. If you don’t fancy making your own picnic you can even order a basket to be made up for you by the on-site Slivertree Deli and Restaurant which is open between 08h00 and 21h00. During certain months of the year (November) open air concerts are held in the grounds and you can sit and listen to the music with your picnic under the skies as the sun goes down.

Lions Head

Lions Head

If you like the idea of watching the sun go down whilst overlooking the mother city of Cape Town then head to Lions Head which is just off Signal Hill Road. After parking your car you will need to walk for about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the summit and some sections of the path are quite steep so good walking shoes are a must. The route is well signposted but don’t forget to bring a torch with you for on the way back down plus a warm jersey just in case and your camera of course. The extra effort required to get to this spot is well worth it and the views from the top as you tuck into your picnic are quite amazing. Trips up Lions Head are very popular when the moon is full.

Wynberg Park

For a family picnic we can thoroughly recommend Wynberg Park which has a number of dedicated braai spots and picnic spots. Entrance to the park is on the corner of Klaasens and Travato Link Roads and it is free to enter. The braai areas are open Monday through to Sunday between 08h00 and 18h00. The park covers ar area of 22 hectares in size and is popular al year round with families probably due to the rather good children’s play area which will keep them amused for hours while you enjoy your picnic.

Company’s Gardens

For a picnic right in the centre of Cape Town why not visit Company’s Gardens just off Queen Victoria Street and surrounded by historical buildings such as the South African Museum and the South African Art Gallery. This park is like a secret oasis from the urban life that surrounds it. The grass lawns, aviary and Japanese garden found here make for a great afternoon picnic spot. The gardens are open to the public and make a great spot to lay down your picnic blanker and relax for a couple of hours.