Cape Town

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African Safari

A January 2001 trip to Cape Town by BeAdventureous!

CrossingMore Photos

Ten days in Africa? The Dark Continent? Lions and leopards and jackels, oh my! From Cape Town onto Sun City and then Kenya, Africa is a BIG place. Wide open spaces, so this is what creation felt like on day 5!

  • 12 reviews
  • 4 stories/tips
  • 1 photo

African SafariBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Crossing
The cable cars up Table Mtn., turning 360 degrees so you can get a real panoramic view, seeing penquins on the beach, staying in the #13 rated hotel in the world and eating at #1 (Table Bay Hotel and Cape Grace Hotel respectively-per Conde Nast 2000), exploring Sun City, ballooning over the Maasai Mara and seeing the animals from the sky as the sun rises, the Mt. Kenya Safari Club and being on the equator, tents with hardwood floors and canopied beds, commodes and rainforest showerheads, safari!! Seeing lions with their cubs, feasting on their kill of warthogs, monkeys swinging from trees as you stroll underneath, and giraffes nibbling treetops in the wild as far as you can see!

Quick Tips:

Sunscreen a must! Sunglasses, a safari hat, lots and lots of film and camera lens. Pack light!!

Mosquito repellant you bathe in. But it is worth it all, an adventure of a lifetime. THIS you don't want to miss or cut corners. Save til you can afford to go 1st class! You want to go with those who know the territory, language and people.

Learn a few words of the language.

Best Way To Get Around:

On safari SUV's are THE way to go. You always see more when you walk. Small runways get rained out, so you want to be sure and go with a reputable group who can think quick and offer alternate routes and ways to get there. Sometimes it is faster to drive than fly. Small turbo prop planes can get you there too.

The Governors CampBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Now this is camping! Tents with guards in camouflage hidden in the bush while you enjoyed huge bonfires while chefs in whites cook gournmet meals, including zebra, ostrich and other delicacies. Tents with hardwood floors, bathrooms, and beds covered in mosquito netting.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

The Governors Camp
Cape Town, South Africa
254-2 331871

Mt Kenya Safari ClubBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Incredible place, I would not miss it. Where Wm. Holden and Stephanie Powers and the movie crowd hung out. Located on the equator, the Irish general manager is a fun-loving, entertaining host. Impeccable grounds with huge birds that roam the groung freely, great art shop with local carvings and paintings and sculptings and such. An animal orphanage on property. The rooms we stayed in had a roaring fireplace, full bar, charmingly rustic with views of the golf course.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Mt Kenya Safari Club
PO Box 25 Nanyuki Cape Town, South Africa

Kichwa Tembo CampBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

This was the MOST INCREDIBLE PLACE. Where we stayed there were nine tents surrounding a open air lodge for our private use with staff. As I signed the guest register, I noted Star Jones from the View has visited... The lodge was decorated in rustic oversized couches with vases of porcupine quills and rich bound leather books. I fell in love with the staff; they are WONDERFUL. Anticipating your every need they genuinely seem to want you to have memories that exceed every expectation!! Our very private tent had baths and rock showers with rainforest showerheads that made you feel like you were bathing in a waterfall. The canopied mahogany beds faced the view of the Maasai Mara with wild animal roaming freely, you, protected by a electric fence. The meals were OUT OF THIS WORLD, served in courses with wines appropriate to each and the best cappuccino I have ever had.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Kichwa Tembo Camp
The Conservation Corporation Cape Town, South Africa

The Table Bay At The WaterfrontBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Table Bay Hotel"

From the moment we entered the room and a fax machine begin to print "Welcome M/M" (our Names) letter...I knew this would be an incredible experience. From South Africa red wine in a welcome basket to a amenitity package in full size silver bottles, and a killer view of the Atlantic Ocean with Table Mountain rising above it, I could see why it was rated #13 in the world by Conde Nast.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

The Table Bay At The Waterfront
QUAY 6 Cape Town, South Africa
27-21-406-5000

Carnivore RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Big spits where HUGE SLABS of diversity of meats are roasted greet you at the door. Waiters come around and carve different ones for you to try from ostrich to Zebra. Fun drinks.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Carnivore Restaurant
Nairobi Cape Town, South Africa

Roaring FortiesBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Roaring Forties Floating Restaurant"

This is a boat that laid phone cable in its earlier life, but now is a charming place to dine with a terrific view. The food was great. The white wine was the best we had in Africa, noted it was from a private estate and numbered.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Roaring Forties
Cable Restorer, Cole Point Road Cape Town, South Africa 7975
+27 21 786 4808

Samburu Serena LodgeBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Buffet. Pasta was wonderful, cheeses were incredible, fruits were excellent. Great gift shop, check it out. Serenaded by singing Samburans who danced for us. Very rustic and lodge-like.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Samburu Serena Lodge
Samburu Intrepids National Reserve box 74888 Cape Town, South Africa
254(2)710782

Boulders BeachBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Hang on the main swimming beach, or stand in the clear calm water, and before you know it, there they are, African penquins! Previously know as jackass penquins, they are curious, inquistive little tuxecedo creatures. A beach has been fenced for them to breed in, accessible to you by a series of boardwalks that lead right to observe them. Talk about a kodak moment... but be warned....they bite!! Ouch..

To get to Boulders Beach, you must hike down past local homes brimming with lush tropical landscape, to the water front. Happy trails. Amid boulders, you will see native families enjoying the sun. Join them...

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on July 6, 2001

Boulders Beach
4 Boulders Place Cape Town, South Africa
+27 (21) 786 1758

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - Victoria WharfBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Victoria Wharf"

Two stories with glass walls in front and lined with date palms, is an invitation to SHOP! Filled with red umbrellaed tables for fast foods, and stores crammed to overflowing with African finds, this is a spot to spend an afternoon.

Local musical drums, masks, jewelry, spears and such, are some treasures to bring back home. There are china shops filled with beautiful dishes embossed with palm trees, African animal wildlife, or patterned after animal skins. Hard Rock Cafe is anchored here. Assessible by escalator from the Table Bay Hotel, it is most convenient.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on July 6, 2001

Victoria and Alfred Waterfront - Victoria Wharf
Portswood Road Cape Town, South Africa 8001
+27 21 408 7500

Governor's Balloon SafariBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Governor's Balloon Safari"

You have to get up awfully early to see the sun rise, but what an incredible experience! Just before dawn, flames light the darkness and the warmth feels pretty good. It is chilly, so dress accordingly. The balloon pilots are delightful-- ours was from Australia, and one was from Texas and had piloted balloons over Tuscany and Province in the French countryside. Floating above the animals with the early morning light reflecting over the plains, gives you an idea of what birds who soar among the clouds must feel. Toasting your return with a champagne breakfast is a treat. Avoid the meats to insure you won't get an upset tummy. Indulge in everything else. We did not see as many animals as I would have anticipated, but hey this is not Disney and they are not controlled!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Governor's Balloon Safari
Over the Mara river and plains Cape Town, South Africa

Maasai Mara ReserveBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Maasai Mara"

Up close and personal. I'm not sure I can ever go to a zoo again. Seeing animals roam free in thier natural habitat is incredible. We saw the Big Five, cape buffalo, lion, hippo, elephant, rhino... These are considered the most dangerous to man. Seeing a lion with her cub carrying her kill of warthog, a cheetah stretched out on the limb of a tree, elephants with long ivory tusks glaring at you, giraffes munching indifferently on limbs, hippos yawning in riverbeds, impalas sprinting away, monkeys swinging overhead on trees, God did good. Very good. As He said Himself...
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by BeAdventureous! on February 20, 2001

Maasai Mara Reserve
Maasai Mara Cape Town, South Africa

The Maasai Mara peopleBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

You feel as if you just walked into National Geographic pages. The women are still circumcised as soon as they begin to ministrate, the boys are circumcised at 16 or 17 and if they cry out or flinch in any way they can never become warriors and remain at the lower social rung of the ladder. Men can have as many wives as they can afford. Cattle are valued above all and they are herdsman. They do not kill their cattle, but "bleed" them and mix the blood with the cows milk and drink it which is their basic diet except for a goat on feast occasions. They believe God gave them the rights to all cattle, so it is ok for them to steal anyone who has cattle, for they rightfully belong to the Maasai. They are extremely hospitable people and are most friendly. Their life expectancy is about 50 or so. They wear colorful material; red is their favorite color and they are fully clothed. We saw a bride of about 13 with colorful necklaces and beaded bracelets. We were invited inside their huts, which are made of cow dung. Although it was dark and reeking of ammonia smells, we stayed as long as was hospitable. It humbles you when you think about how you want to update your wallpaper. Flies swarm around childrens mouths and noses and they seem oblivious to them, never bothering to shoo them away. Barefoot they splat into cow dung, which they believe is good luck. I We remembered all the shots we had before we came and wondered if they had any cuts on their feet....

The Cape of Good Hope, CapetownBest of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

Situated at the junction of two of the earth's most contrasting water masses, the cold Benguela current on the west Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the east Coast, the Cape of Good Hope is where the Indian Ocean joins the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Agulhas. There were hiking trails, tidal pools, picnic sites, even a Global Atmosphere Watch station, one of the world's 20! See stunning views from the lighthouse, explore old shipwrecks in diving sites, or use the internet facility for e-mailing postcards or that journal entry to Igougo! In 1580, Sir Francies Drake described it as "The most stately & fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth". He DOES have a point!

Maybe you will sight a whale or a baboon! The Chacma Baboon troops on the Cape Peninsula are the only protected population of this species in Africa. During low tide they may be seen roaming the beaches. If you feed them, you will be fined, and they can be dangerous! There are 250 species of birds, & 1100 species of plants. The cliffs at the most south westerly point of Africa, tower more than 200 meters above the sea. Ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular for a real overview!

Touring the wine country in Capetown, Groot Constantia.Best of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

As you move around the eastern face of Table Mountain, you enter a world of vineyards and oak trees. Here lies Groot Constantia, South Africa's oldest country estate. Orginally built in the early 1700's by the then governor of the Cape, Simon van der Stel, today it is a state-owned winery. Magnificient trees touch the ground in welcome. We did a wine tasting, everyone sat at long tables and tried various white wines. We were given sheets on which to rate them. A great place to bring back some African souveniers that won't land in a garage sale, I can promise you that! Admittedly, they have a long way to catch up to France or Napa, but it was a pleasant experience. The grounds are simply breath-taking, those politicians know how to live!!

Outside, there are tables and benches in which to continue enjoying the bottles you purchase. A gabled manorhouse, it is a joy to explore and discover the history between its walls.

Atop Table Mountain in Cape Town.Best of IgoUgo

Story/Tip

More people have died on Table Mountain than on Everest. We went up by cableway. Rotating 360 degrees enroute straight up, you got your chance to see every gorgeous angle. Magnificient views suspended from the heavens were to be absorbed into your soul. Only 1000 meters above the sea at its highest point, its rugged cliffs are filled with 2285 species of plantlife. Multitudes of wildflowers spring up everywhere. You can see Robben Island, where Nelson Mandala was imprisoned. You can see the city of Capetown, Clifton beach, Lions Head, it's all scenic and very photogenic. One of the ubiquitous residents of the mountain, which we saw, are dassies. Also known as rock hyrax, they look like little chipmunks, and lie on the ledges of the rocks, warming in the sun. They are so cute, but beware of their predatory motives..they can reduce a muffin to bare raisins in 10 seconds flat!! There are wide trails for you to stay on and enjoy discovering and exploring. A restaurant resides atop for picnicing, in case you forgot to bring your own. A beautiful place to be. It is said the earth has 12 energy centers and Table Mountain is one.

About the Writer

BeAdventureous!
BeAdventureous!
Little Rock,, Arkansas

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