The Western Cape's history goes back to at least the Early Stone Age (200 000 years ago to 1.2 million) and there are several sites all over the province where rock art can be found mostly dating back to 23 000 years ago, and even further back to 30 000 years ago. The cave and rock art is thought to have been painted by the early Khoi-San peoples. Archeologists think that these hunter-gatherer tibes, who live in groups no bigger than about thirty people, have maintained the same lifestyle for the last 3 million years. Their presence today has given us a glimpse into how early humans lived.

Variety also marks the long coastline that starts from the desert of the Orange River mouth bordering on Namibia to the lush forests of the Knysna area. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean dramatically meet the cold waters of the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Point.

Summers are hot, sunny and rain free, while the winters are rainy and cold, and sometimes snow falls on the mountain ranges make the place look European. The climate is Mediterranean and the Cape is the only region in South Africa that has this type of weather.

In Muizenberg water temperatures in summer often reach 22°C (72°F), whereas on the Atlantic beaches the strong SE winds pull all the warm water away from the coast. The warm surface waters are replaced by very cold water from great depths, usually in the region of 10-14°C (50-57°F), known as "upwelled" water, which is rich in nutrients and is usually clear and blue. The temperature contrast causes significant variations in the flora and fauna underwater.

The Cape sea water is generally chilly so you will notice regular swimmers or surfers enjoying the sea water dressed in 3–5mm thick wet suits. Scuba divers wear even thicker ones. Both coastlines have very powerful currents in some places - so due caution and care needs to be taken by swimmers.

The three main prevailing winds that affect our climate are the "Bergwind" – a hot dry wind, the "South Easter" in summer & the "North Wester" in winter. Sometimes the Cape mountains have several peaks draped in snow (3 to 4 times a year), and Table Mountain has light snowfalls occasionally! The Mediterranean climate means cool wet winters (2 – 25° C) and hot dry summers (10 – 38° C).

Spring falls between August and October and is the best time for sighting whales and seeing the unique Namaqualand Daisies and the Fynbos flowering season. Summer (October to April) is when the fruit and grain grows to maturity, whilst autumn (April to May) ushers in the harvests. The winter rainfall (June to August) brings the "Green Season" to the Cape, the vines are pruned and the wheat fields are harvested.

• Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena Australis) entertains thousands of spectators each year, as they come close to shore to calve their babies and also to mate.
• Humpback Whale (Megatera novaeangliae) and are less frequently encountered on our coastlines and have the exceptionally long, white flippers and large patterned tail flukes and the triangular shaped dorsal fin.
• Bryde’s Whale (Balaenoptera edeni) are smallest of the three whales and are seen all year round. This whale has three distinct ridges running from its snout to the top of its head and a triangular dorsal fin set well back. They are often seen in big groups from 10 up to a 100.

Penguins
African (Jackass) Penguins (Sphensicus demersus) are so called for the donkey-like braying sounds they make when on land. There are only 16 penguin species worldwide and Simon’s Town is one of the total of 28 world sites where they occur. The colony, started by the penguins themselves at Boulders Beach, is unique in that they have voluntarily inhabited suburbia and a public bathing space. There is another colony in the Hangklip and Betty’s Bay area, on the far side of False Bay.

Dolphins
Several species of dolphin, one endemic, frequent our shores throughout the year and can be seen in impressive numbers. Dusky, Heaviside’s and Bottlenose Dolphins are most likely to be spotted.

Some 8550 individual plant species are found in an area of the Western Cape that represents only 0.04 percent of the earth’s surface. Nearly 6000 of these species are endemic (found naturally only in the South Western Cape), as a result of which the Fynbos region has earned the title of the “Cape Floral Kingdom” from the international botanical community. The Cape Peninsula alone has over 2500 species – which is more than occurs in all of the British Isles.

They range from Restios (reed-like plants) to Protea bushes, and over 100 heath species (Ericas) with their bell-like blossoms. The environment and ecology can be described as rugged (because of the hot dry summers with howling winds), yet fragile at the same time. The prolonged winter storms lash the rocky mountainous terrain with its nutrient-poor and acid sandy soils, whilst fire has shaped the ecology of the vegetation since time immemorial. Fragile, because Fynbos is easily destroyed or radically altered by human activities. Large areas have succumbed to the aggressive spread of exotic tree species. Many local plant species are endangered to the point of extinction by plants imported from places like Australia.

Take the road to Ladismith where you will find the Noukloof Nature Reserve. Visit the Towerkop Cheese Factory, the Ladismith Co-operative Winery and CJ Langenhoven's birthplace in the Hoeko Valley (famous for growing apricots). Calitzdorp lies at the foot of the Huis River Pass and overlooks the valley of the Gamka River, renowned for its dried fruit, wine and port. From Calitzdorp, travel to Oudtshoorn which now forms part of the Garden Route. Uniondale is situated in the eastern part of the Klein Karoo. Visit the Water Mill and the Old English Fort, a reminder of the Anglo-Boer War.