October 8, 2016
Rent a car for a few days if you want to explore all the cool offerings just outside Cape Town. We landed a 1962 Beetle – not because it’s a cool vintage car – but because everything else was booked. It was a hilarious tin can death trap on wheels with a broken speedometer and fuel gauge and drivers side door that would swing open into oncoming traffic when turning left. It also took this terrible gas called LPR that has metal in it, giving all passengers a headache after sitting in it for a few hours. But hey, we looked cool driving it!
Boulders Beach
Boulders Beach is the famous home of African Penguins. It’s protected area so there’s a prescribed wooden path that visitors walk along, but you get good views of the penguins. I enjoyed watching them ride the waves in to shore and waddle out of the water. Such funny little animals.
Chapmans Peak & Muizenberg Beach
Chapmans Peak is a gorgeous drive south of Cape Town. It was overcast as a storm was moving in the day we went but the views were still breathtaking. This would be an awesome place to go cycling. We stopped at a little market along the way and grabbed picnic supplies that we enjoyed on Muizenberg Beach while watching the surfers. Muizenberg is home to the boldly colored Victorian bathing huts along the beach.
Wine Tasting
No trip to South Africa is complete without wine tasting. We spent the day at Constantia Glen making for the longest wine tasting I’ve ever done. There were nine selections of a mix of reds and whites with generous pours. The beautiful property is nestled in the back side of Table Mountain to the south. One of the highlights of South Africa was the quality and inexpensive wine. Really nice bottle were only $10!
Cederburg
Cederburg is a wonderful area in northwestern South Africa as you drive south from Namibia. We camped in an orange orchard and there are tons of wineries and breweries in the area. Just before dawn, we hiked to the top of the ridge and watched the sun rise over the mountains. Best way to start the day.
West Coast National Park
West Coast National Park is northwest of Cape Town and makes for a nice day trip. We lucked out since it was spring and all of the flowers were in bloom. There are a handful of day hikes that you can do throughout the park as you drive around.
