This index brings together practical and historical guides about the Western Cape. It covers transport, travel tips, local culture, and key historical events, making it easy to explore both everyday information and deeper regional stories.
Culture & Local Life
Kaapse klopse Cape Town minstrels carnival
Origin of the Griqua people: Closely related to the Khoikhoi, they developed through the mixing between Khoikhoi, San, and European settlers
Travel & Practical Guides
Luggage storage in Cape Town: Temporary luggage storage points around the city
Minibus taxis in Cape Town: How they work, tips and routes
Renting a car in the Western Cape: Travelling in the Western Cape by car is probably the best way to enjoy it.
Tips for road trips: Road trips are one of the best ways to enjoy authentic local experiences.
Tips for visiting Table Mountain: Practical advice on tickets, access, and planning your visit
History of the Western Cape
The Anglo-Boer Wars: How the Western Cape played a strategic role through Cape Town, railways, ports, hospitals, and prisons.
The Battle of Blaauwberg: How the Cape Changed Hands
The Battle of Muizenberg: This was a series of skirmishes, manoeuvres, retreats, and stand-offs that happened over several weeks
The Battle of Salt River , the Cape’s first recorded clash between Europeans and the Khoikhoi in 1510
Smallpox epidemic of 1713 . A Smallpox epidemic decimated the indigenous tribes in the Western Cape
The Alabama: A surprising chapter of Cape history during the American Civil War.
The French Huguenots: A background to the Huguenots that focuses on how their journey became part of the Western Cape’s social, agricultural, and cultural history
Transport & Infrastructure
Number plates: A list of Western Cape towns and the number plates assigned to them
Mountain passes built by Thomas Charles Bain
Emergency & Safety Services
Vets who treat snake bites list of contact numbers
Snake removal list of contact numbers
Bee removal list of contact numbers
See resources for permits and regulations
