Cape Town - Cape Point Hiking Trails

 Cape Town - Cape Point Hiking Trails 

Cape Point National Park

We love visiting Cape Point for the amazing scenery, the birds, the flora that changes according to the seasons, the beaches, the tidal pools at Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay, the fresh air and the climb to the top! The Hiking Trails are great for those with more time - pop in at the Visitor Centre for more info.

Tidal Pool - great to cool off after a hike

"Cape Point is a hiker’s paradise, and there are a number of beautiful and manageable short walks throughout the reserve. Each walk serves up a selection panoramic ocean and mountain views, access to unspoilt beaches, and the opportunity to spot rare wildlife wandering peacefully among the vibrant fynbos or across the salt white sand.

Here’s our selection of some of the best short walks and hikes in and around Cape Point Nature Reserve:

Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail is often overlooked by visitors eager to pay a visit to the iconic old lighthouse atop Cape Point, but this short trail that runs below the well-known landmark should not be missed. The trail begins just behind the upper funicular station, and a narrow but well-established path will lead you along a sheer cliff-face towards the lesser-known new lighthouse. It offers a fascinating perspective of the old Cape Point lighthouse which towers many metres above, and it walks you through historical bunkers and beautiful fynbos until the path runs out, at what certainly feels like the very tip of Africa.

Departs: Behind upper funicular station. Park at the Cape Point main parking area and walk to the station or save energy and take the funicular.
Distance: +-2km, one hour return
Difficulty: Easy

Cape of Good Hope Trail

The Cape of Good Hope trail takes you along a well-maintained and marked boardwalk towards the famous Cape of Good Hope sign, located on the rocky shoreline far below. The trail is popular for its accessibility, and for the unsurpassed views over the pristine Diaz Beach and rugged western shoreline. Make your way all the way to the very end of the trail, and you’ll have reached the most southern point of the Cape Peninsula – a perfect photo opportunity to prove that you’ve visited the most South Western corner of Africa.

Departs: Cape Point main parking area. Follow signs towards Cape of Good Hope.
Distance: +-3.5km, 2-3 hours return
Difficulty: Easy

Antoniesgat Trail

Buffels Bay Beach is a gem hidden from the main tour groups, and the Antoniesgat Trail that departs from nearby offers beautiful views, a moderate level of difficulty, and the opportunity to cool off in the tidal pools, or enjoy a braai at the well-maintained facilities, at the end of the walk. The walk takes you close to the action where powerful waves pound the peninsula, and there are a number of caves and tunnels to explore en-route. The views over the bay, towards the mountains, and of course up towards the Cape Point lighthouse make this one of the region’s most enjoyable short trails.

Departs: Traffic circle south of Buffels Bay Beach
Distance: 3.5km, 2-3 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate

Gifkommetjie

The Gifkommetjie trail follows the south western shores of Cape Point, and offers beautiful views of the unspoilt shoreline, lush green dune vegetation and open pans and marshes. It’s a great option for the moderately fit looking to get some good distance on a flat route, but can also be shortened if you’re just looking to stretch your legs, away from the busier sections of Cape Point. It’s an often overlooked region of the nature reserve, and the result is a feeling of true isolation and escapism in one of the most picturesque locations.

Departs: Gifkommetjie parking area, follow signposts upon entry into Cape Point
Distance: +-5.5km, 2 hours return
Difficulty: Easy

Kanonkop

The Kanonkop trail, which is a 3 hour circular route departing from the visitor centre, is one of the most popular among Cape Point hiking enthusiasts. Named after the old canon located at its peak, the Kanonkop trail provides impressive views over False Bay, Cape Point, Buffels Bay Beach, and the prominent Da Gama monument, and it also passes an interesting old lime kiln along the way. The trail requires only a moderate level of fitness, but if you’re feeling less energetic follow the road to Venus Pools and park close to the signs directing you up Kanonkop, a few hundred metres after the turnoff at Bynes.

Departs: Cape Point visitor centre
Distance: +-5.5km, 3 hours return
Difficulty: Moderate

Phyllisia Circuit

The Phyllisia Circuit, named after the large trawler that ran aground on the nearby shoreline in 1968, also departs from the Gifkommetjie parking lot. This circular route takes you parallel to the western Cape Point coastline, and returns along the shore. This too is an often overlooked route, and even on busy days can offer beautiful Cape Point tranquility.

Departs: Gifkommetjie parking area, follow signposts upon entry into Cape Point
Distance: +-7km, 3 hours return
Difficulty: Easy

Shipwreck Trail

Perhaps the most popular of the shorter walks at Cape Point are the shipwreck trails. These unique walks depart from the Olifantsbos parking area, and each offer fascinating insight into the early days of the many Cape Point maritime disasters and access to unspoilt fauna and flora."

The Article above is courtesy from the Official Website:

https://capepoint.co.za

 

 

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South Africa - Kruger National Park

 Kruger Park South Africa - an iconic experience!

Kruger National Park - South Africa - what can I say - it's an experience that lives on forever in one's mind and many folk are very privileged to return again and again to this iconic part of South Africa.

So, whether you only go once in your lifetime or many times, the thrill of spotting wild animals is just something so very special.

It remains an experience like no other and it is not only about the Big Five. Those sightings of smaller animals or birds are just as exciting and should be enjoyed as animals move so quickly, that sightings are often entirely being at the right place at the right time. 

There are numerous Rest Camps within Kruger National Park

Berg N Dal, Crocodile Bridge, Letaba, Lower Sabie, Mopani, Olifants, Orpen, Pretoriouskop, Punda Maria, Satara, Shingwedzi, & Skukuza. There are also Private Concessions, such as Singita Lebombo within the Kruger National Park. These establishments are pricey but the total experience is a "once in a lifetime" memory! 

The Kruger is HUGE so don't expect to see it all unless you are there for 3 to 4 weeks. 

It is best to concentrate on smaller areas. The speed limit, together with sightings, means that one does not cover much ground in a day. Birders normally go further north whilst the south is very popular and much busier. 

The speed limits are 50 km per hour on tar and 40 km on the gravel roads. One cannot exit the vehicle except in designated picnic spots. 

African Jacana

Organised Game drives will take you out for early morning or sunset drives - these can be booked at the camps. There are also walking safari's. Check out the SANPARKS website for full details. Bookings are made months in advance so always plan ahead. Although, having said that, sometimes you will be lucky to get a last minute booking. There is also accommodation outside of the Kruger Gates - this just means an earlier start to the day! 

Do buy a Kruger Visitor Guide at the first camp shop that you go to. This will provide much information plus photos of both birds and animals. 

The following tar roads are recommended

H4-2 Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie

H4-1 - Lower Sabie to Skukuza

H3 - Skukuza to Malelane Gate

H1-2 Skukuza to Tshokwane

H10 - Lower Sabie to Tshokwane

H1-4 Satara to Olifants

H7 - Satara to Orpen

The gravel roads often provide interesting sightings so don't discount them although they can sometimes be challenging. 

S28 Crocodile Bridge to Lower Sabie

S114 Skukuza to Malelane

S128 Lower Sabie to Skukuza

S36 Tshokwane to Satara

S100 Satara to Gudzani Road

S90 Satara to Olifants

We enjoy going in the winter months (June/July/August) when the day time temps are lovely and warm and the park is drier so animal spotting is easier. It's a personal choice as the camps are open all year round. Flooding does happen during the summer months after heavy rains and then some gates may not be open. Please do check the official Kruger Park web site if you are going during the rainy season (Summer time in South Africa) 

August time (winter) in South Africa

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