Trip report: Our South Africa journey in July (page 2 of 5)

Penguins? Aren’t we getting close to Boulder’s Beach and its “secret passage,” which has been talked about a lot on this forum? 😉

Hi Michel,

We didn’t notice anything special. The road leading there is pretty, winding a lot, and very busy. We took it several times. We’d go to the local Spar to do our shopping since we were staying in a house 15 minutes from the gardens and near Imizamo Yethu. No issues, but it felt strange having a garden surrounded by electrified barbed wire and a remote with an "emergency" button.

Hi there,

Boulder's Beach will be our next stop. But, without giving too much away, no "secret passage" for us—I missed that info 😅.

Safety in this area isn’t unnecessary. For Boulders, our mountain-loving friend is referring to: There are two entrances: The Main one The other They’re connected by a wooden walkway. The smaller one, further south, is less crowded. And when you enter from that side, you can reach a small beach. Much less crowded. Generally, groups arrive at the Main entrance and stay in that area. On the wooden path overlooking it, at the small beach, you’re on the beach— the penguins too!

Photo

And M Montagnard teases me Because it took me several trips to discover it

As for safety?

Kirstenbosch seems a bit sketchy

Ah OK. So it’s not *that* secret after all, since there were still quite a few people on this beach where we were 😄. Way fewer than on the other side—groups seemed to stick to that side—but still more humans than penguins (about ten). True, just us already makes 6 people!

Hi there,

Days 10, 11 & 12: We set off under a cloudy sky to see the penguins at Boulder's Beach. Quite a few people on the walkways, but the beach is quieter. We continue to Cape Point National Park. The sky clears up. We stop at a picnic area that’s deserted except for a few ostriches. We’d barely settled in when we spot a baboon running toward us from a distance on the beach. We do the same but head straight for the car. It circles the car before striking a photogenic pose in front of the sea. We’ll have our picnic further away.

We head up to the lighthouse. Lots of people. Lovely 360° view. Everyone’s eyes are fixed on the same spot: a whale appears now and then. We walk to the Cape of Good Hope. An easy stroll along platforms with beautiful viewpoints where we don’t run into anyone except some Cape elands.

We return via Chapman’s Peak Drive. A stunning (toll) road along the cliff. Several spots where you can stop to admire the views.

The next day, Table Mountain is shrouded in mist—no luck today. We were supposed to go to Robben Island, but the site is closed for renovations. Instead, we take a boat trip from Hout Bay to see the seal colony on Duiker Island. The sea is pretty rough. Lots of seals lounging on the rocks. We head to Cape Town via the coastal road. We visit the Waterfront (super touristy) and Bo-Kaap with its colorful houses.

For our last day in Cape Town, we finally see Table Mountain, but the cableway is closed due to wind! It’s a bummer—we won’t be able to go up. Unless we hike, but apart from my boys, no one’s really up for it. Big disappointment, even though we knew it wasn’t a sure thing given the unpredictable weather at this time of year. The real letdown is that we *could* have gone up on the first day and saved the gardens for later. Bad call on our part. Oh well, it happens 🤪. We settle for another visit to the Waterfront to finish up what we missed yesterday and do some shopping at the big mall before heading to the airport in the mid-afternoon.

No Table Mountain, no Robben Island... looks like we’ll have to come back to visit Cape Town again !

And Mr. Montagnard teases me Because it took me several trips to discover it

😄

Ugh No Table Mountain and they didn’t even go up Lion’s Head! Damn

It’s clear there are more Europeans than South Africans at the Waterfront. Too bad about Lions Head… A must-do in Cape Town! In my opinion. As for the baboons, they’re a real nuisance there. They try to manage them, but the critters have figured out how to open car doors, shove people to get into vehicles, and that there’s food in bags, etc. Lots of incidents… In the park and at every car stop in that area.

Arrgh No Table Mountain and they didn’t even go to Lions Head! Damned

I knew you’d say that!! 😉 Can’t throw stones—we didn’t make it up Table Mountain either. Lions Head, the forgotten gem of Cape Town… 😕

I'm talking about Lions Head Because it’s a climb that’s neither too complicated nor risky Still, you do need to be able to walk a bit You circle the hill, which gives you a 360-degree view of the area Table Mountain, Apostles, Cape Town, the ocean, and Robben Island Since it’s lower, the cloud wave that clings to Table Mountain is less of an issue, and the wind doesn’t complicate things Plus, you can turn back anytime The climb up Table Mountain is more complicated and apparently less safe Cape Town has also become less safe…

Another completely safe viewpoint Signal Hill, where even locals come to watch the sunset… with a glass of white wine Sundowners are a big deal here… I’m saying this for those who’ll read your travel journal…

Hi,

You’re right to mention those places—we got so focused on Table Mountain that we "forgot" everything else. And it’s not like we hadn’t read and reread trip reports. Just poor planning on our part. It’s gonna make me regret it even more! But it’s also another reason to go back 😄.

That’s the difference between us and Michel; South Africa is his second home. 😕

This amazing park was our first love at first sight. Beautiful landscapes, lots of animals, hardly any people—pure bliss!

Guess traveler tastes and preferences really do vary!

Hi,

Glad to hear that! 😉

A few photos of Hout Bay and Cape Town.

Lion's Head is really nice, actually—I was there recently. Here are a few photos to motivate you to go back even more!