We were supposed to leave on our overland camping tour with Intrepid Travel at noon following our Lion’s Head sunrise hike. We boarded the truck, lunches in hand, and realized after a few moments that our truck wasn’t moving. Turns out, we weren’t purposely idle – the truck wouldn’t start and no one knew why. Our guide, Chris, asked us to get off the bus while they tried to figure out what was wrong.
Fast-forward five hours, and the truck still wouldn’t start (even with a new part). Chris came over to tell us that we would no longer be departing that day, as the bus wasn’t fixed. This is Africa.
Once settled in our new hotel for the night, we decided that we might as well make the most of our final night in Cape Town. What did that consist of? Watching sunset at Camps Bay, of course! We perched up on a rock and had a beautiful view of the sunset in front of us, the 12 Apostles (the back of Table Mountain) next to us, and Lion’s Head behind us. It was a perfect sunset with great people – a very positive end to my time in Cape Town indeed.
Initially I was bummed that I wasn’t going to have time to climb Lion’s Head for sunrise or watch the infamous Cape Town sunsets, but thanks to the truck breaking down, I was able to accomplish both. Everything happens for a reason.
If you’re a hiker and/or in pretty good shape, do yourself a favor and climb Table Mountain via the India Venster Route. It is not for anyone with a fear of heights, or for beginner hikers. I wouldn’t recommend completing it without a guide or a local (thanks Alison!). It’s a stunning hike and must be started as soon as the sun is in the sky because the sun is STRONG!
The India Venster Route is considered the most dangerous and exciting route up Table Mountain. There are three main scrambles and, let me tell you, being only five feet tall is a major disadvantage. Nevertheless, I maneuvered myself up and through the scrambles, and had a blast while doing so. Even though there are only three scrambles, there are many large gaps and high steps. Expect to be on your hands and knees at places. Expect to do some rock climbing and rock scaling without the help of rails. Expect fantastic, rewarding views.
Three hours later, we completed the India Venster Route! Conquering Table Mountain was a powerful feeling, as it looks treacherous from a distance. Once at the top, you’re rewarded with remarkable views and a complete 360 degree view of Cape Town.
Travelers Tip: Take the cable car back down Table Mountain. Not only is it iconic, but the downhill route is steep, dangerous, and tough on your knees.
Boulders Beach is one of the most unique, pristine beaches I have ever encountered. What makes it any different from say, De Hoop Nature Reserve? Well, there are PENGUINS! And it’s not like they’re hiding – they’re basking in the sun only a few feet away from you, they’re swimming alongside you in the water, and they’re waddling over to check you out. We were there on a weekday, leaving the beach virtually secluded; it felt like our own private getaway for the morning.
Travelers Tip: Hit the beach Monday-Friday because the beach gets crowded with locals on the weekends.
Most tourists head right for the Boulders Beach Observatory and miss the actual beach entirely. DO NOT SKIP IT! If anything, skip the Observatory, or at least leave it for last as it’s a total tourist trap. While you get to see hundreds of penguins on the beach, you also get to see hundreds of tourists. If you only have time for one aspect of Boulders, choose the beach.
If you only have time to visit one winery, choosing to visit Fairview Wine & Cheese would be your best decision. It was bustling with people, and the most popular vineyard for a good reason.
In front of the vineyard you will find a goat tower, which is a great photo op and a good introduction to the area. You’ll walk past a busy restaurant and through a small store (with a fantastic cheese tasting for R12), before reaching the tasting rooms.
At Fairview, you have two options for tastings: the Sommelier’s Choice (Beryl Back) and the Standard Tasting. The Sommelier’s Choice consisted of 8 cheese/wine pairing from all over South Africa. We tasted a variety of wines – Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinotage, Shiraz, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The cheese pairings were spectacular – the fig cheese blew my mind, the cranberry cheese tasted like cheese cake, the goat cheese melted in our mouths, and the bleu cheese was perfectly creamy. Our sommelier was extremely knowledgeable, quite friendly, and let us set the pace of the tasting. It is definitely worth the few extra rand for the Sommelier’s Choice.
The Standard Tasting excludes cheese and takes place in a very social atmosphere. While standing, you choose six wines to taste and have the ability to interact with those also tasting beside you (whereas the Sommelier’s Choice was more personalized). It’s a far more communal experience and offers different wine tastings than the Sommelier’s Choice. If you choose to do both tastings, know that you wouldn’t be tasting the same wines twice.
Travelers Tip: If you are going to spend you day in the South African Winelands, be sure to have a DD or go on a group tour so that you don’t need to worry about drinking to much and getting back safely.
After what felt like ages driving from Outdshoorn to De Hoop Nature Reserve, we finally made it without breaking down. We passed four broken down cars along the way…
Travelers Tip: As soon as you arrive at the De Hoop reception area, the receptionist will try to sell you on a “stunning” 3.5 km hike. It was neither a hike nor stunning, so do yourself a favor and skip it.
De Hoop is known for its white sand dunes. It’s 16 km farther on tricky dirt roads, but completely worth it. I knew there was a reason I wanted to go to De Hoop. We exited our car, walked a few feet, and were greeted with beautiful, sweeping white sand dunes juxtaposed against a turquoise and dark blue ocean – literally, the ocean’s blue was split like water and oil. De Hoop is hands down the nicest beach I have ever encountered, and the sand was so unbelievably fine that you couldn’t feel it on your body.
Travelers Tip: Bring a picnic and eat it in the shaded areas while absorbing the spectacular views.
If you’re continuing along the Garden Route, you should take a photo at the obligatory pit-stop – Cape L’Agulhas, the southern-most tip of Africa where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet.
When roadtripping the Garden Route, it is a necessity to stop and view the suspension bridges located within Tsitsikamma National Park. Tsitsikamma is a Khoisan word meaning “place of much water.” The color of the water is exceptional, and the power of the waves is captivating. We moseyed to the suspension bridges (25 person capacity) and enjoyed walking across the shaking bridges.
Travelers Tip: Don’t do the Lookout Hike on the other side of the bridge. It’s an entirely vertical hike, and the view from the top is below expectation.
The Lookout Hike is a good workout if you enjoy baking in the sun while exerting yourself. On our way down from the hike, I unfortunately hurt my knee and had trouble walking. We had planned on doing the 6km waterfall hike, the first day of the Otter Trail, but my throbbing knee left us unable to complete it. Either which way, Tsitsikamma is a nice place to sit on a bench and watch the waves, or to grab an appetizer with a view.
Travelers Tip: If you use the word “appetizer” while ordering, you’re likely to be given an “appletizer,” which is a sparkling apple juice. Instead, say you’d like a starter.
The day had come: Bloukrans Bridge. The World’s Highest Bridge Bungee Jump! Run by Face Adrenalin, the Bloukrans Bungee will give you such a load of exactly that: Adrenaline. After harnessing up, I followed our guide onto the pass below the bridge and, let me tell you, that is the scariest part of the entire ordeal. The metal grate under your feet is completely see-through, urging you to look down. All the way down. Typically, the way to conquer any “heights” activity is not to look down, but Face Adrenalin makes that virtually impossible, challenging you to conquer your fears and tackle the bungee head on. I, on the other hand, wasn’t so worried. Not in the slightest. A minute or two later, we made it to the middle of the bridge where there were at least 10-15 men there to help us out, tighten our safety harnesses, and pump us up with very loud music. I was, literally, bouncing with excitement. The men sat me down, wrapped pads around my shins to protect my ankles, and attached my second (backup) harness to my chest. Another employee came over to triple check my harness, and I was ready!
Two staff members appeared at my sides. I was to throw my arms around both their shoulders and hop over to the very edge of the bridge (remember, you’re ankles are tied together). You hop. And you hop and you hop, until at last you are standing on the edge. Slowly, you inch your toes until they are actually over the edge. I couldn’t wait.
At the count of three, I jumped with the biggest grin my face. This was it: I was free-falling off the world’s highest bungee bridge. Instinctively, I tightened my whole body, so I felt zero “jerk” once the bungee went taught (I knew I practiced flying trapeze for a reason!). I hung there upside-down for a bit, soaking it all in. I completed the jump that I’d wanted to do for many years. I just couldn’t believe how easy it was for me to jump off a 216m (700+ ft) bridge. After a few moments, a staff member lowered himself down, attached me to another harness, and repositioned me upright. I was slowly pulled up, lifted onto the bridge, and ready to do it all over again!
Face Adrenalin’s bungee is an absolute MUST for any adventure-junkie. It is worth noting that Face Adrenalin has been running the bungee for 23 years without any incidents; you will feel as safe as you possibly could while throwing yourself off a bridge. I have never felt more secure doing an adrenaline-inducing activity than I did with Face Adrenalin – and, trust me, I have many adventure sports to compare it to. You would be hard-pressed to find anything so exhilarating. Go face your fears.
The Five Foot Traveler 