People coming to South Africa often ask me for advice about what to do while they are here. Of course, the answer largely depends on whether you have been here before or if you have a specific interest in something like fly fishing. But, if this is your first visit and you want an introduction to the country, here is the trip I would plan for you.
From Camps Bay head along the M6 coastal route to Cape Peninsula National Park via the Chapman’s Peak toll road. The Chapman’s Peak toll road is literally carved into the face of the mountain and offers spectacular vistas of Houts Bay, Chapman’s Peak, and Noordhoek. This has to be one of the most dramatic coastal routes in the world.
“Shoot, shoot, shoot” James Gradwell, my photography guide instructed. I was trying to get a shot of the tide coming in with Table Mountain looming in the background, but I only managed to get one photo because as I crouched in the sand the tide soaked through my pants.
Cape Town weather is capricious – at one moment achingly beautiful and the next rainy and dreary. On those stunningly beautiful days it’s near impossible to justify being indoors. So, a cloudy, winter weekend was the perfect excuse to indulge in activities that had been on my Cape Town to do list but that I hadn’t managed to get around to during previous visits.