Wynberg is a southern suburb of the City of Cape Town and is a main transport hub for the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.
CLIMATE
Cape Town has a Mediterranean-style climate with wet, cool winters, and dry warm summers. The average summer temperatures are 24ºC with January and February averaging 26ºC.
Cape Town lies on the 34th latitude south, however, Cape Town’s climate is a collection of micro-climates of which the Northern Suburbs has more than one. Apart from air pressure, wind and temperatures, the cold current, mountains, and built-environment are additional factors that influence the local weather. Check with the forecasts for the daily weather.
The front view of Table Mountain is famous for its tablecloth, the south-east wind blows cool air off the sea which is forced up over the mountain, this air condenses into clouds which ‘spill’ over the front. The tablecloth is a good indicator that the southeaster (the prevailing summer wind) is blowing and that the beaches along the Atlantic Seaboard are a better bet than those in False Bay.
WHEN TO GO
For beach and sightseeing holidays, the summer months are best from October to April, however, in both April and October the weather is variable and unpredictable. Winters are mild with temperatures in a range of 8ºC and 17ºC but winter is the rainy season. There is something to be said for a warm fireside, sipping the Cape’s award-winning red wines, while the wind and rain rage outside. Winter is also whale-watching season. December/January is the time most South Africans take their annual holiday and the summer break for school children, so booking is often essential, but there is always more to do and see.
FLORA
The transition between mountain and flat the change in vegetation becomes clear, there are patches of Afromontane forest in the kloofs of Table Mountain, the higher and lower slopes the fynbos is characterised by large protea bushes, and as the land gets flatter so does the vegetation with Strandveld fynbos growing on the ‘Flats’. There are literally hundreds of flowering species.
Fynbos comprises four major plant groups:
● Proteas: large shrubs with broad leaves
● Ericas: heath-like, low-growing shrubs
● Restios: reed-like plants; are the only group that are found in all fynbos habitats
● Geophytes: bulbs; these include watsonias and disas both of which occur mainly in wetland areas and are prominent after fires.
Fynbos is a fire-dependent vegetation that needs to burn around every 15 years to stimulate new growth and ensure that plant and animal communities remain healthy. If it doesn’t burn in about 20 – 30 years, it stops producing seeds which could cause the extinction of some species. If fire is too frequent due to human intervention seed banks are depleted which can change the diversity of plant species in the area.
There are nearly always flowers to be seen. Ask the Fynbos Guy what is currently flowering on the Table Mountain Chain.
FAUNA
The Southern Suburbs are built-up residential areas of Cape Town. Large mammals are no longer abundant in these regions small interesting and often endemic animals such as mongoose, otters, tortoises, snakes, lizards, frogs and toads can be observed especially in the nature reserves.
Reptiles
Look out for the bright blue-headed Southern Rock Agama, the prehistoric looking Black Girdled Lizard and the Cape Skink.
There are some interesting endemic and endangered Amphibians, the Table Mountain Ghost Frog is a special find, but look out for the Cape Chirping Frog, Cape River Frog, the endangered Leopard toad and the tiny Arum Lily Frog.
Two species of Tortoises are common, the Angulate Tortoise and the Parrot-beaked Tortoise.
There are 22 snake species, ten of which are non-venomous, although they can still deliver a nasty bite if provoked. Some of the venomous species include the Cape Cobra, the Puff Adder, Boomslang, Rinkhals and Berg Adder. The good news is it they are mostly shy and will avoid human contact. The one you are most likely to encounter is the Puff Adder which enjoys nice warm spots, such as rocks and pathways (best to keep out of its way).
Insects
Insects play an integral role in the fynbos ecosystem either by directly pollinating plants or as a vital source of nutrient for birds and animals. Some are especially adapted to pollinate specific plants. Look out for butterflies such as the Mountain Pride Butterfly that is the exclusive pollinator of a variety of red plants such as the red disa, and the red crassula.
Birds
The many niches and habitats that exist (ocean, shoreline, cliff-face, rocky highland, fynbos, forest and suburbia) contributes to a large species count, as does the geographical positioning at a continent's corner, many vagrants and seasonal visitors can be spotted.
For a full bird list or birding checkllist see the SANparks website or for further information on birding in the Cape Peninsula, contact: The Cape Bird Club on 021 559 0726 or www.capebirdclub.org
THINGS TO SEE & DO
1) Dutch Reformed Church
Prior to the building of this church, the congregation travelled to Cape Town to attend services. The church was consecrated in 1832. It was declared a National Monument in 1965.
2) Wynberg Park
In the heart of Cape Town lies the beautiful Wynberg Park, 22 hectares and showcases some fynbos and other plants. There is an exquisite conifer garden and in summer colourful hydrangeas blossom. In the past Silver trees grew in this area, today there is one to look out for. Walk along the number of paths or relax and picnic or braai (barbeque) on the lawns. There is a children’s playground and duck pond which make this an ideal spot for families with young children to spend the day. Wynberg Park is sometimes host to fun days and live concerts.
Corner of Klaasens and Trovato Link Roads, Wynberg
Summer: 8am – 7pm Winter: 8am – 6pm
+27 21 762 9180
3) Battlefield Live SA Laser Tag
This exhilarating military game is fun and pain-free, make a run for it through Wynberg Park’s maze of tree trunks. Booking is essential.
renar@battlefieldlive.co.za
+27 84 364 9979
4) Maynardville Park and Open-air Theatre
Scout out a pre-theatre picnic spot in the Maynardville Park then watch a play by William Shakespeare or a ballet in the open air theatre.
Unit 1, Maynardville, 20 Piers Street, Wynberg
Shows are nightly in the summer season.
Booking through Computicket +27 83 915 8000
5) Chart Farm
The Chart Farm in Wynberg is a giant rose garden where you can go to pick dozens of roses for an excellent price. Situated next to Wynberg Park. Visitors can hand pick roses, fresh apples, grapes and nectarines when in season. There is a farm stall selling a variety of tasty treats, and a coffee shop where you can relax and enjoy the view over Constantia.
Klaassens Road, Wynberg Park, Wynberg
Open daily from 9am to 4.30pm
+27 21 761 0434 or +27 21 762 0067
6) Royal Cape Golf Club
The Royal Cape Golf Club is the oldest golf club in Africa. The course has magnificent view of Table Mountain and has a proud tradition. Visitors are welcome and encourage enjoy the course, facilities and friendly hospitality. Royal Cape is the current host of the Lion of Africa Cape Town Open, and has played host to the South African Open on no fewer than 10 occasions. Past winners of championship events include Gary Player, Mark McNulty and Ernie Els. The course is designed to accommodate players of all skill levels.
Royal Cape Golf Club
174 Ottery Road, Wynberg
bookings@royalcapegolf.co.za
+27 21 761 6551
- Royal Cape Golf Club
- Chart farm (giant rose gardens which offers great pickings. Also pick apples, grapes and nectarines when in season)
- Maynardville Park and Open-Air Theatre
- Battlefield Live SA Laser Tag
- Wynberg Park (Picnics and a lovely day out for the whole family)
- Visit the Dutch Reformed Church
In 1683 the original farm was named De Oude Wijnbergh (Old Wine Mountain). In 1795 the British took control of the Cape and the small farming area of Wynberg developed into a garrison town, as the British settled a large number of troops in the area. Wynberg was a convenient half-way point between Table Bay and False Bay and this led to a hub of commercial activity.
The famous astronomer John Herschel lived at Wynberg between 1834 and 1838, where he set up a telescope to study the southern hemisphere skies, and also did some botanical work on South African flowers together with his wife Margaret. In addition, it was in Wynberg that the young Charles Darwin met Herschel in 1836, a meeting which considerably influenced Darwin's later work.
