1.    BOULDERS, CAPE TOWN

Boulders Beach is situated just beyond Simonstown, Cape Town. It is a lovely place for photographic opportunities, family outings and picnics, sheltered from the prevailing winds, with white sand, big grey rocks and clear blue sea. A separate part of the beach has been taken over by Penguins since two breeding pairs arrived in 1982, and there are now about 3000 of them. They attract many visitors, both local and overseas, who enjoy being able to get close to watch their fascinating ways and the penguins seem to enjoy being photographed. They are protected and the Beach falls under the control of Table Mountain National Park.

2.    BO-KAAP, CAPE TOWN

Another ‘must photograph’ spot in Cape Town is “Bo-Kaap”. You can hop off the Cape Town City Sightseeing Bus at Stop 12 – Jewel Africa. Within easy walking distance are the houses of Bo-Kaap. The houses, which seem so small from the front but stretch far back into secluded gardens and patios, are usually painted with an assortment of rainbow colours which make each one unique. One can spend hours there as there is so much to photograph! It has to be the most colourful and beautiful suburb in Cape Town!

3.    COMPANY GARDENS AND MUSEUM, CAPE TOWN

Stop number 6 on the City Sightseeing Bus route, is at the Cape Town Museum and Company Gardens. The Gardens were developed in the years when ships stopped in Cape Town to replenish supplies particularly of fresh fruit and vegetables for their crews. There are lovely views of Table Mountain from the “Gardens” and one can enjoy the tranquil companionship of very tame doves and squirrels. One can walk around photographing the exotic plants, flowers and trees as well as the lovely buildings and animals. It’s a difficult place to leave once you get there!

4.    GROOT CONSTANTIA WINE ESTATE

One special stop for a photo session is Groot Constantia Wine farm. It is situated in the Constantia Valley and offers so many different possibilities. There are amazing photographic opportunities, from the wonderful flowing vineyards, to the beautiful old buildings, to the magestic view of the surrounding mountains and breathtaking views of the southern suburbs. Whether the weather is good or bad, the mystery surrounding Groot Constantia is captivating. You can eat at Simons Restaurant or purchase a picnic to enjoy on the lovely lawns  or you can enjoy a meal at the lovely Jonkershuis Restaurant.

5.    GREEN MARKET SQUARE, CAPE TOWN

Stop 4, Cape Town Tourism, on the Cape Town City Sightseeing bus route, is a photographer’s dream. Do a self-guided walking tour from here to Greenmarket Square which is surrounded by beautiful old buildings including the magnificent Metropolitan Methodist Church.

There is a Craft market where one can purchase African art and it is a short walk from the Square to St George’s Cathedral. Here one can eat in “The Crypt” beneath the Cathedral which was a refuge for many activists, including Nelson Mandela, during the Apartheid years. The Cathedral has beautiful stained glass windows and an unique labyrinth.

6.    HOUT BAY, CAPE TOWN

Mariner’s Wharf in Hout Bay is Bus Stop number 26 on the Blue Mini Peninsula Tour on the Cape Town City Sightseeing open-top bus. A must for keen photographers, one can enjoy all of the fruits of the sea at this lovely restaurant while looking over Hout Bay Harbour across the Royal blue and Turquoise sea to the cliffs on which Chapman’s Peak Drive has been constructed.

From Hout Bay one can take a cruise on one of the charter boats to Seal Island where hundreds of seals can be seen relaxing on the rocks or swimming around the boat. There is a fish market, and lots of craft markets to look at and explore.

7.    KALK BAY, CAPE TOWN

From Boyes Drive above Kalk Bay Harbour one can hike, camera in hand, and climb up the mountain where there are very interesting caves to be explored. Some of them are quite a tight squeeze and one should have someone who knows the caves well before venturing too far. Once again, the views are magnificent, stretching from a distant view of Cape Point, Simonstown and Fish Hoek, to Kalk Bay Harbour itself nestled like a jewel at the foot of the mountain.

8.    MUIZENBERG BEACH, CAPE TOWN

The Muizenberg Beach consists of miles of white sands and white topped waves endlessly rolling in to be caught by surfers and boogie-boarders. Walkers and their dogs are to be found enjoying the crisp breezes each day from sunrise to sunset. When the wind is right there are kite-boarders flying like butterflies with their multi-coloured wings.

On Sundays, hoards of venders flock to Sunrise Beach where they set up their tents and kiosks for the crowds of people who arrive to scratch through the many articles on display. Once again, I can never resist taking my camera to capture the moods and beauty of the beach.

9.    SILVERMINE, CAPE TOWN

For great photographic opportunities, a drive to the top of Ou Kaapseweg, the pass over Silvermine/Muizenberg mountain, one can drive into the Nature Reserve, park the car, and take a pretty strenuous hike to the top of the mountain where there are magnificent views over Hout Bay Harbour and the Karbonkelberg.

On the way down a detour will take you to the Elephant’s Eye, one of the many caves that can be seen at a distance from Constantia and most of the Southern Peninsula. There are so many beautiful indigenous flowers which one can photograph along the way, not to mention the breaktaking view!

10.    ST JAMES BEACH, CAPE TOWN

St James Beach is a lovely secluded safe beach, very popular with young families because of the large tidal pool in which many Capetonians have learnt to swim.

There are many highly prized brightly painted bathing boxes which are handed down from one generation to the next and photographers flock to St James to take photos of these unique boxes and along the catwalk to Muizenberg. Young families love St James Beach as there are fascinating rock pools where little ones can catch tiny fish and find lovely shells and pebbles.

Buy your tickets here:

• Online at www.citysightseeing.co.za
Adults R110 (offline price R150), Kids (5-15 years) R70, Kids under 5 free.
Canal Cruise: Adults R20, Kids (5-15 years) R10, Kids under 5 free

• On the bus

• At out Ticket Office, outside the Two Oceans Aquarium: Bus Stop 1

My Name is Yvonne Luden. I have always been passionate about photography for as long as I can remember. I spent the whole of my first salary buying my first camera – a second hand one at that! I have upgraded each time and now am the proud owner of a Nikon D200. I just love taking photos around our beautiful city and country. I also love taking photos of children and fun family shots. I feel that one learns from every single picture you take, and one can only get better!