An Extensive Guide On How To Reach Cape Town?
Cape Town is one of South Africa’s most ethnically diverse and rich cities which is popular among travellers. The city of Cape Town sits on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula, where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. Cape Town is home to some majestic mountains that rise to skyscraping heights. And at the tip becomes one where the land and the two oceans meet. Creating a landscape that leaves every traveller in awe of the beauty of the land. After the colonial British rule, some Victorian-style buildings were left adorning the streets of Cape Town. Making the city a must-visit for one’s travelling to the mystic city. We have made an interesting read about an extensive guide on how to reach Cape Town.
Air Route
The best way to reach Cape Town from UAE is via air route. Airlines like the Emirates operate from UAE and offer direct flights from Dubai International Airport to Cape Town. The flight time from Dubai to Cape Town is approximately 8.5 hours. And covers over 7,620 km of travel. The air route is also the safest, least time consuming and the most pocket-friendly way of reaching Cape town from the UAE.
Road Route
A road trip from the city of Dubai to the city of Cape Town in South Africa is a long, but an adventurous one. The distance from Dubai to Cape Town in km is roughly around 12,250 km. And the time taken to cover the distance would be over 8 days which would be roughly 198 hours. Besides, this travel time does not include the time that would include layovers, maintenance, fuel and immigration. Taking all the above into consideration, a road trip from Dubai to Cape Town could take over 12 – 15 days.
But if one still wishes to travel via road from Dubai to Cape Town. It would be a very interesting journey. That would take one through the vast expanses of the Middle-east to the green savannahs on the African continent. The journey itself will test the mantle and determination of the people travelling. As once you enter Africa, the roads will become a lot harsher on you and your vehicle. And in some cases, you might even get stuck and would need to seek local help. Furthermore, this does not even count the many border crossings that one would have to cross while having all the documents intact. Below is a list of countries that one will be crossing. And the kind of clearance one would need to carry for travelling through the said country.
Country And The Documents Required
- The United Arab Emirates (Country of Origin)
- Saudi Arabia (Car Insurance for both UAE and Saudi, 6-month valid passport, car registration documents, Saudi visa [post approval], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- Egypt (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, Egyptian visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- Sudan (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, Sudanese visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- South Sudan (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, South Sudanese visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- Uganda (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, Ugandan visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- Tanzania (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, Tanzania visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- Zambia (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, Zambia visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- Botswana (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, Botswana visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
- South Africa (Car Insurance, valid passport, car registration documents, South Africa’s visa [depending upon the nationality], WHO health card with the mentioned marked vaccines)
Apart from the documents, one would also need to plan out an itinerary. That you would need to plan out, which would include the layovers and the rest stops that one would need to take rest. Also, let us keep in mind the cost of the fuel needed to make such a long trip no matter the source. As certain states in Africa have yet to develop the infrastructure needed to support renewable sources of energy.
Sea Route
The sea route from Dubai to Cape Town is an exciting journey that would pass through the ports of several countries. There are two ways in which sea travel is possible from Dubai to Cape Town. The first option is to book a private yacht which may be an exciting option but not the cheapest. The journey from Dubai to Cape Town would cover over 10,000 km approximately and would take 15 days for the travel. The journey mentioned above is without anchoring on any port and with a speed limit of 10 – 15 knots.
Yet, the second option is the option of a cruise, which will take you aboard a massive liner. With the mighty boat anchoring on many ports along the way and giving you the option of exploring many cities. There are several cruise options that you may find online. One such interesting itinerary that we found online is as follows:
- Day 1 – Dubai / United Arab Emirates (Dep: 23:59)
- 1 – Muscat / Oman (Arr:12:30 | Dep: 20:00)
- Day 2 – At Sea
- 3 -At Sea
- Day 4 – At Sea
- 5 – La Digue / Seychelles (Arr:10:00 | Dep: 18:00)
- Day 6 – Victoria (Mahé) / Seychelles (Arr:10:00 | Dep: 18:00)
- 7 – At Sea
- Day 8 – Nosi Bé (Hell-Ville)* / Madagascar (Arr: 07:00 | Dep: 15:00)
- 9 – At Sea
- Day 10 – Port Louis / Mauritius (Arr: 10:00 | Dep: 21:00)
- 11 – Pointe des Galets / La Reunion (Arr: 07:00 | Dep: 16:00)
- Day 12 – At Sea
- 13 – At Sea
- Day 14 – Richard’s Bay / South Africa (Arr: 10:00)
- 15 – Richard’s Bay / South Africa (Dep: 06:00)
- 16 – Gqeberha (ex: Port Elizabeth) / South Africa (Arr: 07:00 | Dep: 20:00)
- 17 – Mossel Bay* / South Africa (Arr: 08:00 | Dep: 16:00)
- Day 18 – Cape Town / South Africa (Arr: 07:00)
Conclusion
The quickest and cheapest way to travel from Dubai to Cape Town has to be air travel. Yet, if you wish to treat yourself to a long vacation you can choose to buy or book a private yacht. Or go on a cruise with the family to enjoy an exciting time with family and friends.
Jacob Barretto