A LITTLE CAPE PENINSULA ROAD TRIP

Standing on the picturesque Peninsula imagining the expanse of ocean that stretches away from you all the way to Antarctica, it’s understandable why the Cape Peninsula Tour is easily the most popular tour and one that imprints itself on the minds of many travellers visiting Cape Town.

ROAD TRIP

Couple of my friends were visiting Cape Town for a weekend and we decided to drive in and around the Mother City just for the fun it but with an end goal of reaching Cape Point Nature Reserve. Our journey started in V&A Waterfront with a quick breakfast at my favourite spot Maresol and some few pictures around V & A Waterfront of course.

SEA POINT

The next stop was Cape Town Stadium for some more pictures and then Sea Point for bicycle rides on the famous Sea Point Promenade. The scenery in this place is always vibrant with views of Robben Island, TableMountain, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill as backdrops, people jogging, walking their dogs, families and couples strolling on the Promenade, boats passing, Paragliders and Helicopters hovering around the beautiful blue sky make it worthwhile for one to stop for few minutes and enjoy the scenery.

HOUT BAY

Our journey continued until we arrived at the quaint fishing village of Hout Bay, a chance to enjoy a boat ride out to the popular Seal Island.

Other activities include sea kayaking, sailing, fishing, snorkeling with seals and surfing.

CHAPMAN’S PEAK

The next scenic drive was over the famous breath-taking Chapman’s Peak, another opportunity to stop at the picnic areas along the road for more pictures and to enjoy the views of the Atlantic ocean and the surrounding mountains.

LLANDUDNO BEACH

We continued our road trip driving along the scenic Atlantic seaboard, passing the pristine soft white sand beaches of Clifton and Camps Bay with the 12 Apostles rising above the chilly blue Atlantic Ocean below. Continuing on the same road (M6) we arrived at the stunning Llandudno beach surrounded by large granite boulders and overlooked by mountains.

It is also the access point for the walk to Sandy Bay, an isolated beach still popular with nudists.

If time is still on your side, you can stop at Imhoff Farm in Kommetjie to see penguins, visit slangkop (meaning snake head) lighthouse, see Italian villas, ride camels and enjoy the popular guided beach horseback riding to stunning Noordhoek beach with an opportunity to spot different birdlife, whales, otters and seals - Time was against us so we passed!

BOULDERS BEACH

After Kommetjie you are almost approaching your final destination but not without making a quick stop at the warm Boulder Beach, Simon’s Town to visit endangered African Penguins.

The beach forms part of the Table MountainNational Park Marine Protected Area so an entrance fee of R39 (South African Residence) or R152 (Internationals) is required to enter the breeding area.

CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE

The entire purpose of this journey was to eventually reach the famous Cape Point Nature Reserve. Situated on the rugged slopes of a peninsula that rises out of the ocean, you are guaranteed beautiful views of the lush mountains and turbulent ocean below. If lucky you may spot some small buck, numerous birds, the Cape Mountain Zebra, Ostrich, Eland and of course the mischievous baboons on your way. We drove to what felt like the end of the world, to the most south-westerly point on the African continent, the Cape of Storms where many ships met their match.

When you arrive, you have an option to take the Funicular or the footpath for a 20 minute walk up to the old Cape Point lighthouse. You will also enjoy seeing the Baboons in their natural habitat while bowled over by the incredible views.

We ended our road trip by driving down to the Cape of Good Hope but you have an option of hiking down from Cape Point - I will hike on my next visit.

KIRSTENBOSCH BOTANICAL GARDENS - OPTIONAL

If time still permits, you may pass at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens to walk on the beautifully designed Boomslang Bridge however, I strongly recommend visiting the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens on a different day and combine it with Constantia Wine Route because you won’t really have the time needed to explore all what the garden has to offer.

With the sun setting over the tall peaks of Table Mountain the last rays sparkle on the trees and flowers, and offer a fitting end to a day filled with all the Cape has to offer.

ENTRANCE FEES

CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE

·         R45 Toll fee on Chapman’s Peak Drive

·         R303 for International adults

·         R152 for SADC nationals and

·         R76 for SA Residents (all you need to bring along is your South African ID)

·         Tickets for the Flying Dutchman Funicular cost R70 return for adults (R55 one way)

·         The park is open from 7am to 5pm and the Funicular from 9am to 5pm.

BOULDERS BEACH (PENGUIN COLONY)

·         R152 for International adults

·         R75 for SADC nationals

·         R39  for SA Residents (all you need to bring along is your South African ID)

THINGS TO SEE AND DO WHEN YOU NEXT VISIT CAPE POINT

·         Numerous beaches including the spectacular Diaz Beach

·         Dozens of amazing viewpoints

·         Plenty of unique fauna and flora

·         Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular up to the viewing point below the old lighthouse.

·         Discover cultural and historical spots including monuments to explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias

·         Great swimming spots, picnic sites and walks at the Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay tidal pools

·         Photograph the more than 1 100 indigenous plant species that grow nowhere else in the world.

·         Watch massive whales moving past Cape Point on their annual migration (around June to October)

·         Over 250 bird species

·         Spot the Cape mountain zebra and the world’s largest antelope, Eland, etc

·         Walk the shipwreck trail to view a few of the 26 recorded shipwrecks around Cape Point

·         Hike along a wide variety of scenic and overnight trails through natural fynbos and along sandy beaches

·         Take part in a range of exciting outdoor activities, such as sea kayaking and mountain biking

·         Explore a wide variety of stunning dive sites that lie waiting to be explored on both sides of the Point

·         Always keep a lookout for the legendary ghost ship - The Flying Dutchman!

HIGHLIGHTS

·         The breathtaking views of Clifton and Camps Bay as you head down the Cape Peninsula

·         A boat ride to Seal Island from Mariner’s Wharf

·         A scenic drive along the world famous Chapman’s Peak Drive

·         Visit Simon’s Town and the endangered African Penguins at the Boulders Penguin Colony

·         The Cape Point Nature Reserve

·         Cape of Good Hope

·         Take a walk on the Boomslang bridge at the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens

A full day private Cape Peninsula Tour is the perfect way to see lots of the Cape in a short amount of time. If you think it might be the perfect addition to your vacation in Cape Town, get in touch with me at tebogo@pinpinmedia.co.za

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Thank you for taking your time to read my blog, hoping to see you again!