2025 South Africa, Zimbabwe & Zambia - Day #7 - Cape of Good Hope

from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary

Cape Peninsula Tour

• Departure time 8:30AM
• Please meet in the lobby of your hotel
• Recommended attire casual clothing, comfortable shoes
• Activity inclusions - private vehicle, entrance fees
• Special notes - lunch is payable direct, order and specific activities may vary

Today you will travel to the Southwestern tip of Africa, known as Cape Point, where it is fabled that two oceans meet. En-route you will stop at Boulder's Beach, residence of the adorable frolicking African penguin colony. Take a stroll on the generous boardwalk, where viewing of the penguins allows for natural behavior with minimal disturbance to their nesting and interactions.

Continue your drive to the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve where you are provided with an opportunity to view animals like the Cape Mountain zebra, mischievous baboon and blissful ostrich; all of which reside in the reserve among the indigenous Fynbos. Along your route, learn how the treacherous rocks running along the Atlantic Seaboard came to be known as the 'Ship Graveyard', why Bartholomew Diaz called this 'The Cape of Storms', and why Jan Van Riebeeck proclaimed Table Bay as The Cape of Good Hope.

Lunch is typically enjoyed at a local restaurant situated right on the coast and will likely include fresh seafood. After your meal, continue your scenic drive toward the dramatic and beautiful Chapman's Peak. Hugging the face of Chapman's Peak Mountain, this pass offers breathtaking vantage points that rise-up to 1,945 ft. (593 meters) above sea level. Each one of the 114 curves along the roadway offers incredible views - so keep your camera ready! You will return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

In spite of the late night, I had trouble sleeping. I was up and moving before 6 am. Leaving Sharon sleeping in the room, I headed down to the fitness center. I did a 30 minute Peloton Upper Body strength workout and then walked for 1 1/4 miles on the treadmill.

Getting cleaned up, Sharon and I headed down to the breakfast. I have been alternating every morning between pancakes and an omelet.

We meet the guide at the front of the hotel at 830 am. Everyone is very happy with our guide Barry!

Heading South along the east coast of the Cape of Good Hope, we made a quick stop at the Just Nuisance dog statue. From there, we continued to Boulder's Beach. The beach is home to a large colony of African Penguins. There is a nice boardwalk for viewing the penguins on the beach and nesting in the trees.

Continuing South, we headed in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. We took a couple of side roads searching for animals. We came across a number of Ostriches and a troop of baboons.

We stopped at the tip of the Cape of Good Hope for picture. Backtracking, we headed up the road to the old lighthouse. Given the length of the line to take the funicular up to the lighthouse, the group decided to pass and look for more animals.

Taking a different side road, we were find to find elands and bonteboks. leaving the nature reserve, we passed more Ostriches and a smaller troop of baboons.

Heading back towards Cape Town, we drove up the west coast. We stopped for a late lunch at The FoodBarn. The food was excellent. I had bouillabaisse [rich fish soup with line fish, mussels & prawns, saffron mash & rouille] and risotto [with celeriac, truffle, roasted onion & pecorino, with seared prawns]. Sharon had venison loin [springbok, poached quince, mash fritter, mesclun leaves, honey and lime jus].

Continuing up a rugged stretch of the coast, we got back to the hotel just after 5 pm. After a quick stop at the room, Donna, Kevin, Sharon and I went to The Watershed to do some shopping.

The four of us continued to Silo Hotel to watch the sunset from the rooftop bar.

After a big late lunch, Sharon and I decided to skip dinner and ended up heading back to the room. We started packing. We are moving on to the Winelands tomorrow. I crashed hard about 9:15 pm.