Senior travel: Cape Town

Pace for a day

About 1 stop a day. 5 h out − 45 min rest, divided by an average visit of 143 min (from this city’s guide) + 30 min to move.

Getting around in Cape Town

The V&A Waterfront and malls are the most step-free parts of the city; the City Bowl and Bo-Kaap are hilly with mixed pavements, and the mountain trails and beaches are not accessible without assistance.

Pavements:

Generally present in the centre but uneven in places; Bo-Kaap and the lower cableway road are steep.

Getting around:

App cars are the step-free option; book a larger vehicle for a folding wheelchair.

Hotels:

Larger Waterfront and City Bowl chain hotels have lifts and accessible rooms; confirm with smaller guesthouses.

Toilets:

Accessible toilets in malls, the Waterfront and larger museums; check smaller sites.

Table Mountain cableway:

The cable cars themselves are wheelchair accessible (rotating cabin); check current access arrangements before you go.

Medicines and health on the ground

The South Africa guide lists no medicine paperwork. Check the official customs page for your medicines.

Sun and wind:

High UV even on a mild day; sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are essential, especially on the mountain and at the beach.

Water:

Tap water is safe to drink; carry a refillable bottle.

Ocean safety:

Swim only between lifeguard flags; the Atlantic side has strong currents and cold water even in summer.

Load shedding:

Scheduled power cuts can affect lifts, traffic lights and card machines; keep some cash and a charged phone.

More: how much medicine to pack, medicine times across time zones.

Ask your insurer

Age limits and prices differ by policy and the guides do not hold them, so put these to the insurer before you buy.

• What is the oldest age the policy covers, at purchase and on the last day of the trip?
• Does the price or the cover change after a certain age?
• Are existing conditions covered, and what must be declared?
• Does the cover include medical evacuation and trip interruption?