This is a view of the Cape of Good Hope as seen from on top of Cape Point. Portugal’s Bartolomeu Dias was the first to round it in 1488. He named it the “Cape of Storms,” for good reason. Ten years later, Vasco da Gama followed the same route and then sailed up the coast of Africa, prompting King John II of Portugal to rename it the “Cape of Good Hope.” It opened a sea route to fabulous wealth of the spice trade in India and the Far East.
Today marks my 25th and final post on our African Safari. As you read this, Peggy and I are driving between Carson City, Nevada and the Central Coast of California where we will spend the next two weeks exploring Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, Pinnacles National Park and the surrounding area. The visit will kick off our next series: A three month, thousand mile journey following the Pacific Coast through Northern California, Oregon and Washington— one of the world’s most beautiful coastlines.
But first, a wrap up on South Africa where we will visit the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town and Table Mountain.
We took a full day excursion from Cape Town down to the Cape of Good Hope. Along the way, we were entertained by the ostrich, snakes, penguins and a lizard that you have already met in previous posts. This is the end of the road— as far as you can drive on the south-western coast of Africa without getting wet.This is Point Cape, just east of the Cape of Good Hope. Looking west, we had the view of the Cape that I showed in the first photo.This lighthouse was built was built in 1859 on Da Gama Peak, the summit of Cape Point, 780 feet (238m) above sea level, to protect sailors from the dangerous rocks off Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope. It seemed like the ideal location. Unfortunately, it was often hidden by fog. A modern lighthouse is now located down Cape Point at 275 feet (78m). The hawk was a bonus.Our drive down to the Cape of Good Hope provided this view just south of Cape Town. We also saw this young caracal with its impressive long ears near the Cape. Our guide Johnathon was very excited and told us this was the first caracal he had ever seen in the wild. A member of the cat family, it hunts almost exclusively at night and is rarely seen by anyone! We were lucky. I moved quickly to get a shot before it disappeared into the brush.This rather impressive Peninsula Granite Fynbos wasn’t going anywhere, however. Peggy and I could take our time photographing it. It’s endemic to the Cape Town region and nowhere else.I managed to sneak up on one for a close up…And another. Now, back to Cape Town and the Springboks. I’m not talking about the attractive South African antelope known for its pronking, taking several 6 foot high leaps into the air in quick succession. I am talking about the South Africa’s Rugby Team that had just won the World Championship and was booked into our hotel for their Cape Town celebration.A large crowd had gathered around our hotel and was waiting their arrival. The police opened their cordon to let us through. Several people thought we were related somehow and snapped our photos. A number of teenage girls waited nervously. One actually managed to get a selfie with one of the stars. She tried to be cool when taking the photo but immediately screamed afterwards. So much for cool.Our guide, Jonathan, took us on a tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain in addition to taking us down to the Cape of Good Hope. Here, he is talking about the colorful homes in the small community known as Bo-Kaap that I featured at the end of my last post.The original residents of Bo-Kaap were descendants of slaves imported by the Dutch from Malaysia, Indonesia, India, and Sri Lanka during the 16th and 17th centuries.Because of their cultural heritage, Bo-Kaap is primarily a Muslim Community. Even the mosque was brightly painted, matching the brightly painted homes.One of the homes.It seemed that each one was painted a different color.A final exampleWe found this artistic elephant in Bo-Kaap…And this man selling freshly caught fish from the back of his pickup.Johnathon also took us to the Shimansky diamond jewelry shop where we watched diamonds being cut.The diamond cutters showed us two of the diamonds he was working on. Judging from their size, I’d say they were a bit beyond my budget. Quite a bit.Any trip to Cape Town should include a trip up to Table Mountain, the dramatic backdrop for the city. We got there by going up this tram.Almost there…Looking back at Cape Town from Table Top Mountain.Our hotel was mixed in among these tall buildings. View of the top of Table Top…And another view. A number of flowers demanded their photos be taken.Including one I had never seen: a peninsula conebush. The cone is tough and will only open and release its seeds as a result of fire. Cala Lilies were an old friend.These flowers created a pretty bouquet among the rocks.Peggy shows the mist rising up on the ocean side of Table Mountain. Her hair shows that it was accompanied by a breeze.This little beauty, an orange-breasted sunbird, was waiting for us as we neared the end of our time on Table Top Mountain.After all of the great people, incredible wildlife, and striking scenery, I think it is only appropriate that we end our African safari series with the small hyrax on Table Top Mountain, seemingly waving goodbye to us. The next morning we began our long air journey back to Virginia. I hope you enjoyed this series. We were ever so glad you decided to come along. Next up, an introduction to our thousand mile journey following the Pacific Coast.
22 thoughts on “Cape Town, Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope: South Africa… On Safari 25: A Wrap-up”
This has been as great series. As much as I enjoy flora and fauna (that hyrax!) I really enjoyed the colorful buildings in this post. They were like a basket of brightly colored eggs!
Thanks, Linda. Appreciated. We had a lot of fun with the series. How could we not. Blogging is always a good reminder for us of what we have been up to, and to share. Peggy and I are in Monterey/Carmel now, beginning our journey up the coast. With a little luck I should have an introductory post by Monday.
Wow, what a way to wrap up your safari. The cape looks stunning, and some neat wildlife and flower sightings to boot. I’m very much looking forward to your next journey as well. Safe travels!
Thanks, Diana. It was an incredible adventure. Peggy and I are now in the Carmel/Monterey area, north of you visit to Santa Barbara. I was going to focus on Big Sur but a section of the road has gone to sea. Grin. I’ve experiences a lot of that in my years of wandering up and down the Pacific Coast highway. Oh well, it isn’t like there isn’t a lot of beautiful coastline in the Carmel/Monterrey area.
Such adventures~ The tram…I think I was in Austria when I rode a tram that felt like it was straight up! Welcome to this side of the world! Looking forward to seeing what you see!
Hi Wendy. Side of the world is a good description. Grin. Peggy and I are now on the Central California coast beginning our three month journey north. Today we will be exploring the coast of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel.
I was told back in 1980 that the hyrax if the closest living rellie to the elephant. I didn’t get it then and I don’t get it now. I guess some research is called for.
The fynbos flowers are very similar to the native Australian waratah. The emblem on my high school blazer pocket was a red waratah.
Love the views! And the colourful neighbourhood.
Alison
This may be more info than you want, Alison. One thing that the male elephant, hyrax, and the manatee all have in common is that their testicles are all inside their body instead of dangling out in the open. LOL –Curt
So much to comment on, just in this post. I have to agree with shoreacres that this has been a great series. Every post was fun and educational and beautiful – and that’s only the stuff with Peggy in it! ha haha. But really, this was all marvelous. thank you both. I noticed the hawk in front of the lighthouse immediately – what a great capture. LOVED the caracal, oh my gosh I would be as excited as you and your guide are about that. The eyes are incredible. Cape of Good Hope is a lot prettier than I expected. Bo-Kaap is incredibly eye-catching, even for Pedro who is from Guanajuato! I am dying to ride that tram now. That peninsula coneflower is super cool.
The African posts just kept coming and coming, Crystal. I couldn’t help myself. There was just so much. Every day. So glad to have you along. We’ve been on a lot of adventures so far, including with you and Pedro in person. The best kind. 😁 May they continue! I was totally taken in by Bo-Kaap. And you should have seen how fast I was moving to catch the photo of the Caracal.
Oh I love this little caracal, eyes big as saucers as blue as the Cape waters and buildings. What a stunning opening picture so crystal clear and clean and the buildings are AMAZING!
Drive safe and have fun in my neck of the woods.. so close and yet so far. Great wrap up and I’m now I want to go and see all but I doubt the little caracal will come out for me being the guide had never seen one before. What a treat for you both!
The unicorn is ready if you want to visit. I have a spare room but you’d most likely want to pitch a tent on my lawn close to the zebras and camel in the yard. lol. Seriously, you’re welcome anytime. We need a few more hands to help with the Babette’s.. lol
I suspect that is the only caracal I will ever see, Cindy, but you never know. It would be great fun to meet you. Thanks so much for the offer. We will be in Pt. Reyes for a couple of weeks. If we make it anywhere near the South Bay Area, I’ll let you know.
Wandering through Time and Place 
This has been as great series. As much as I enjoy flora and fauna (that hyrax!) I really enjoyed the colorful buildings in this post. They were like a basket of brightly colored eggs!
Thanks, Linda. Appreciated. We had a lot of fun with the series. How could we not. Blogging is always a good reminder for us of what we have been up to, and to share. Peggy and I are in Monterey/Carmel now, beginning our journey up the coast. With a little luck I should have an introductory post by Monday.
Wow, what a way to wrap up your safari. The cape looks stunning, and some neat wildlife and flower sightings to boot. I’m very much looking forward to your next journey as well. Safe travels!
Thanks, Diana. It was an incredible adventure. Peggy and I are now in the Carmel/Monterey area, north of you visit to Santa Barbara. I was going to focus on Big Sur but a section of the road has gone to sea. Grin. I’ve experiences a lot of that in my years of wandering up and down the Pacific Coast highway. Oh well, it isn’t like there isn’t a lot of beautiful coastline in the Carmel/Monterrey area.
Such adventures~ The tram…I think I was in Austria when I rode a tram that felt like it was straight up! Welcome to this side of the world! Looking forward to seeing what you see!
Hi Wendy. Side of the world is a good description. Grin. Peggy and I are now on the Central California coast beginning our three month journey north. Today we will be exploring the coast of Monterey, Pacific Grove, and Carmel.
I was told back in 1980 that the hyrax if the closest living rellie to the elephant. I didn’t get it then and I don’t get it now. I guess some research is called for.
The fynbos flowers are very similar to the native Australian waratah. The emblem on my high school blazer pocket was a red waratah.
Love the views! And the colourful neighbourhood.
Alison
This may be more info than you want, Alison. One thing that the male elephant, hyrax, and the manatee all have in common is that their testicles are all inside their body instead of dangling out in the open. LOL –Curt
Lol, well that bit of info made my day 😂
Now you know. Grin.
So much to comment on, just in this post. I have to agree with shoreacres that this has been a great series. Every post was fun and educational and beautiful – and that’s only the stuff with Peggy in it! ha haha. But really, this was all marvelous. thank you both. I noticed the hawk in front of the lighthouse immediately – what a great capture. LOVED the caracal, oh my gosh I would be as excited as you and your guide are about that. The eyes are incredible. Cape of Good Hope is a lot prettier than I expected. Bo-Kaap is incredibly eye-catching, even for Pedro who is from Guanajuato! I am dying to ride that tram now. That peninsula coneflower is super cool.
The African posts just kept coming and coming, Crystal. I couldn’t help myself. There was just so much. Every day. So glad to have you along. We’ve been on a lot of adventures so far, including with you and Pedro in person. The best kind. 😁 May they continue! I was totally taken in by Bo-Kaap. And you should have seen how fast I was moving to catch the photo of the Caracal.
Fun to imagine 🙂
Excellent series of posts and thank you for making it feel like I was on the trip too!
My pleasure!
I loved this series, Curt. Thanks to you and Peggy for taking me along to Africa. What an amazing adventure. :-)
Thanks, D. Glad you enjoyed it! Now we are back to your neck of the woods, working our way up the Pacific Coast.
🙂
Wonderful series, Curt! So much to admire and love in your stunning photos! Now I feel as though I’ve been to Africa! 🙂
You know the next step, Lauren Grin. Thanks much. We were glad to have you along for the adventure.
Oh I love this little caracal, eyes big as saucers as blue as the Cape waters and buildings. What a stunning opening picture so crystal clear and clean and the buildings are AMAZING!
Drive safe and have fun in my neck of the woods.. so close and yet so far. Great wrap up and I’m now I want to go and see all but I doubt the little caracal will come out for me being the guide had never seen one before. What a treat for you both!
The unicorn is ready if you want to visit. I have a spare room but you’d most likely want to pitch a tent on my lawn close to the zebras and camel in the yard. lol. Seriously, you’re welcome anytime. We need a few more hands to help with the Babette’s.. lol
I suspect that is the only caracal I will ever see, Cindy, but you never know. It would be great fun to meet you. Thanks so much for the offer. We will be in Pt. Reyes for a couple of weeks. If we make it anywhere near the South Bay Area, I’ll let you know.