Muizenberg Tourist Attractions
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Muizenberg is the first of a series of bathing resorts on False Bay whose long sandy beaches attract large numbers of Cape Towners, particularly at weekends (Muizenberg is connected with Cape Town by fast electric trains). The town grew out of a military post established in 1743 and became fashionable when Cecil Rhodes bought a holiday home here. He was followed by many prosperous citizens, and Muizenberg became a classic example of a South African bathing resort, with numbers of holiday homes which were occupied for only a few weeks in the year. Short-term inhabitants of a town have no great interest in its public buildings and institutions, and as a result the townscape of Muizenberg is not particularly attractive.The town does, however, have interesting museums: the Natale Labia Museum; Rhodes Cottage; and the Muizenberg Museum Complex.
Silvermine Nature Reserve
The flora of the hilly Silvermine Nature Reserve is among the most beautiful on the whole Cape Peninsula. The reserve (area 2,158ha/5,330ac), which extends westward from the crest of the hills above Kalk Bay and the Muizenberg range to the east of this as far as Mt Nordhoek (756m/2480ft), is the home of antelopes, gazelles, steppe lynxes, porcupines and genets.There are many attractive footpaths leading up hill and down dale to superb viewpoints. In the late 17th C Governor van der Stel hoped to find silver in this area: his hopes were disappointed, but they have given the reserve its name.
Muizenburg - Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary
The Rondevlei Bird Sanctuary (established 1952), an area of dunes with a saltwater lake is home to more than 200 species of birds. The birds can be watched at close range from observation points equipped with telescopes. Attached to the sanctuary are a research station and an information center with a small museum.
Natale Labia Museum
The Natale Labia Museum c 1828, a branch of the South African Gallery, has a collection of furniture and art housed within a building designed to emulate the spirit of 18th C Venice. Temporary exhibitions of decorative art are presented quarterly. This museum also functions as a cultural center.
Muizenberg Museum Complex
The Muizenberg Museum Complex, opened in 1990, consists of a Police Museum, a Library built in 1910, the 18th C Posthuys, the Post Office of 1911 and the Railway Station of 1912-13, a red-brick building now housing shops and a restaurant.
Muizenburg - Rhodes Cottage
Rhodes Cottage, in which Cecil Rhodes died on March 26th 1902, is now a museum with many mementos of Rhodes.
Seal Island
Little Seal Island (area 2ha/5ac), has a population of some 50,000 seals. In summer there are boat trips to the island from Kalk Bay and Gordon's Bay.
Muizenberg Pictures
