Wind, Clouds, Waves, Caves and Coffee- a Private Guided Adventure

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I recently had the privilege of taking Miri and Tal, 2 wonderful ladies from Israel, on a Private Guided trip in South Africa. I met them at the Cape Town International Airport in the evening and we went straight to the Radisson Blu Hotel at Granger Bay, close to the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront, to check in and have dinner. On the way to the airport I pointed out to a dark shape off on our left, slightly lit up, where Table Mountain stood covered by a mass of clouds. Over the next 2 days Table Mountain remained hidden under  the table cloth of cloud causing much merriment with us as we never actually got to see the mountain (its always good to have an excuse to return).

In the morning with the famous Cape Town wind blowing and cloud over the mountain we headed straight to Boulders Beach to see the African Penguin colony. It was a great morning with just the 3 of us and the penguins.

African Penguins at Boulders Beach

From Boulders Beach we headed into Simonstown for a coffee and to see the statue of Just Nuisance, the Great Dane that was the sailors best friend. After the coffee break we took a great scenic drive to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, doing the circular route looking for wildlife. On the way to the Cape Point we stopped at Buffels Bay and Tal dipped her fingers into the False Bay sea to test the water.

Tal testing the waters of the False Bay sea at Cape Point

We were lucky and had views of the Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope without rain. This was the first time that I had taken the Flying Dutchman Funicular to the top. It was a fun ride with great views over False Bay and the Atlantic ocean.

Cape Point

Cape of Good Hope, the South-Western most point in south Africa

Our route back to the hotel was via Noordhoek, where we had a delicious lunch at Le Roux Restaurant, and Chapman’s Peak Drive. That night we explored the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront and had a superb meal at Karibu Restaurant which specializes in local South African themed food.

The following morning we drove out to Hermanus and Klein Gansbaai via the coastal route for a midday whale watching boat cruise in Walker Bay. It was a thrilling boat cruise with a large swell causing the boat to bounce all over the show. We were extremely fortunate to see about 8 Southern Right Whales, a Great White Shark, a Humpback Dolphin and the very smelly seal colony at Geyser Rock with thousands of seals draped over the rocks making a huge din.

Southern Right Whale's Tail viewed from boat in Walker Bay

Cape Fur Seal Colony on Geyser Rock in Walker Bay

Back in Hermanus we checked into the Aubergine Guest House and had a great time watching whales from the shore drinking coffee and enjoying lunch at Aubergine Restaurant.

The next day we drove via the R62 to the Cango Caves. The drive along the R62 was spectacular and we found a funky wine estate with a deli and outside courtyard for lunch. The Cango Caves tour was very well done with just white light showcasing the spectacular stalactite’s and stalagmite’s and cave formations.

Spectacular Drip Formation of Stalactites in the Cango Caves

From the Cango Caves we then drove over the Outeniqua Pass through George, Wilderness and Sedgefield to Knysna where we spent the night at the Protea Quays Hotel at the Knysna Waterfront. In the morning we drove out into the Knysna Forest and saw the huge Outeniqua Yellowood or Kalander that towers over the Dalene Matthee Memorial. Tal was excited as she had read Circles in the Forest which was the book that Dalene Matthee had written that was set in the woods of the Knysna Forest. We had a short walk into the forest and heard the kow kow kow of the Knysna Turaco’s and the haunting Hoo Hoo of the Narina Trogon.

Dalene Matthee Outeniqua Yellowood Tree

Tal standing alongside the Dalene Matthee Memorial

Miri and Tal Walking in the Knysna Forest at Milkwood

After working up an appetite we headed to Il de Pain, one of my favourite restaurants in Knysna, located on Thiessen Island and enjoyed some delicious breads with coffee for breakfast. From here we drove up the N2 through Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown to &Beyond Kwandwe Private Reserve where I said my goodbyes to Tal and Miri. They stayed for a 3 night safari before heading home via Johannesburg. It was an awesome road trip with many good laughs and coffee breaks.