Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden is one of the most peaceful, beautiful places on earth. It touches me every time I visit. Fog is back in the Cape, mysteriously draping itself over Table Mountain – yesterday was a great day to see the garden. It’s hard to say which Kirstenbosch delight is best – fragrant gardens with…
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Garden Route and Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail For the past few days, I’ve been preparing for a Garden Route drive beginning next week. Along the way, I’m excited to be joining a slackpacking group (strangers) for a multi-day wilderness adventure exploring parts of Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail. It’s isolated new territory for me and I’m traveling solo,…
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Fernkloof, Walker Bay, Hemel en Aarde Valley Fernkloof Reserve is one of nature’s bright gems, and it’s a short 15-minute drive away! I’ve hiked the waterfall trail and am learning other routes. Fernkloof trails are gentler than Table Mountain with spectacular views of Walker Bay, Hemel en Aarde Valley, and Maanskynbaai (Moonshine Bay)! Fernkloof has…
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What began as a meander along the Atlantic Ocean, turned into an educational mini adventure. Having been in Hermanus for nearly two months, I’m feeling comfortable and relaxed and becoming slightly complacent. I don’t always plan the day, and on a spur of the moment whim, decided to hike the Cliff Path but extend it…
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Hoy’s Koppie is a historical contour hiking path with panoramic views of Hermanus, the Fernkloof Mountains, and Walker Bay. It sticks up like a big bump near the main part of the Hermanus business district. The rock outcroppings are stunning and “because of the koppie’s orientation”, different varieties of fynbos grow on either side. Klip…
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The entire Overberg is an exquisite nature reserve and floral kingdom with richer fynbos than any other area in the Cape. I arrived in July – the heart of winter – but the weather was dry and warm. During August, we’re still waiting for winter and have only had a few significant storms. The reservoirs aren’t…
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For months I’ve been hiking Table Mountain and Cape Town’s outlying nature reserves. The Western Cape has so many beautiful reserves it will take a long time to visit them all! Last weekend we hiked Jonkershoek Nature Reserve near Stellenbosch. ________________________ “Jonkershoek is one of four nature reserves that are part of the greater Cape…
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Table Mountain – one of the world’s seven wonders of nature – is special in many ways. Some Capetonians believe the mountain takes hold of those blessed with living near its magic. I fell under Table Mountain’s spell the first time I saw it. Its beauty and vistas leave me breathless. Recently I began hiking “beginning” Table Mountain…
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With hot summer weather in Cape Town vegetation on Table Mountain often catches fire. Some fires are minor, others more serious. There was a large fire last week. The beloved mountain is carefully monitored and Capetonians take summer fires in stride as part of the weather pattern. A friendly local shared an article from the Cape…
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Spring break from volunteer work is a great opportunity to spend time hiking the Cape. Today I went for an all-day hike at Cape Point with Binny Ridgway and a client of hers from France, Edie, who is staying in Simon’s Town. Binny also leads four-day overnight tours in the Cape Point area. When there…
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