12 Eco Cool Spots in Cape Town
Here’s a dozen eco places to experience in Cape Town that will make living in and visiting the Mother City all the more diverse, real and feel good. After all, eco means ‘home’, in all its richness of people and life, and we only have this one home, so join us in exploring the spots that are doing what they do conscious of the positive footprints they’re leaving behind….
Coffeebeans Routes will take you on storytelling journeys to experience the heart and soul of Cape Town. You’ll meet musicians, artists, poets, business women, spiritual leaders and plug in to the depth and diversity of perspective that makes up urban Africa.There are a wide range of tours to choose from… a Beer Route to an Art Route, a Jazz Safari to an Eco Adventure, Design, Fashion and Revolution Routes, all creating authentic experiences that live and breathe sustainable and responsible practices.
What better way to experience the city than on a bicycle. Good for you, good for the planet, good for climate change! Awol Tours provide bicycles for rent or guided tours through townships where you’ll get to visit and support small start up businesses and spend your money where it matters. Far better than experiencing the city in an air conditioned bus!
Saucisse Boutique Deli in the Old Biscuit Mill is pioneering a movement, by living out that it is not difficult to make the transition to becoming green and adding ethical practices. The Eatery is a platform for local, artisanal produce to showcase their products, promoting the idea “Know your farmer,know your food”; it uses biodegradable packaging, as well as bio-friendly cleaning products. Did we mention that the food is fresh and good?
(All food wastage goes to the Haven Night Shelter in Observatory. )
And if you need your hair done or a bit of pampering then Swordfern Emporium is the place to go, a fresh and edgy hair and beauty salon in the old District 6 that oozes eco-consciousness. Swordfern thinks Nature and Hair should be treated the same, with respect and care. The Salon and its team promise to go the extra mile to ensure loving kindness to the Earth and clients alike with organic, vegan and cruelty free products. You may even find a good read in the book exchange…
Greenpop is a social business dedicated to urban greening, reforestation, and eco-education. Greenpop believes sustainable living can be fun, popular, and accessible to all, and aims to inspire a ‘Treevolution’… an inclusive green movement. You can get involved by going to one of the fabulous and fun reforestation festivals, volunteering or visiting their very new second hand clothes hub.
Dear Me is deliciousness personified with such care taken to be healthy and ethical as you will see the moment you glance at the menu which has been so thoughtfully put together. A haven of clear freshness in the inner city with solid wood tables and a whole foods deli, a great place to go to up the feel good factor of your day.
Uthando South Africa raises funds for community development projects in Cape Town. Uthando offers travel experiences and team building interactions to visit these incredible projects and shine a light on the remarkable people that are helping to build the country at a grass roots level. The experiences are authentic, meaningful, non-invasive, respectful and very importantly beneficial to the communities being visited.
The Little Green Box is an eco-friendly skincare clinic in a calm leafy corner of Constantia that believes in sustainable skincare for the future. They believe that taking care of your skin means understanding what you put onto it, which is why they only use local, natural and organic products. So if you feel like treating your self to a treatment that is both good for you and the planet then this is the place to go.
The Kitchen is a bustling eatery in the sophisticated hood of Woodstock. Famous for its array of Salads, Love Sandwiches and perfect treats, The Kitchen is an all-woman establishment, and draws a loyal community of locals and visitors from all over the world. They strive to source local products, provide patrons with organic options and make sure all their food waste is turned into compost gold.
Ikhaya Garden believes in ‘making gardening cool’. It’s about getting young people in touch with nature, producing organic food, planting trees and taking care of the earth. They run after-school, weekend and holidays programs working with children from the school as well as from the community. Why not get involved with their next planting day?
Para-Taxi Tandem Paragliding offers a first class Tandem Paragliding experience where you can sit back in an ‘arm chair’ comfortably and enjoy spectacular views over Cape Town while the pilot guides you through the air. Nothing quite like paragliding for a bit of a fossil free, low carbon experience of the city’s beauty. They are deeply committed to responsible tourism and are Fair Trade certified. So what are you waiting for…take the leap!
Hemporium is a South African hemp company dedicated to educating people about industrial hemp’s potential through the use of innovative products, while creating an awareness of all that hemp has to offer.Hemp fibre is stronger and more durable than cotton and is not grown with all the pesticides. So visit their shop on Long Street for eco friendly clothing, body products and high protein food supplements.
Feel empowered to leave positive footprints, make awesome memories and vote with your wallet by visiting the places that are walking the talk! If you know of more spread the eco love and recommend them here!
(And if you’re looking for a place to stay here’s a list of eco accommodation in Cape Town)
