After the adrenaline of shark diving and the heights of Table Mountain, we opted for a more grounded—but equally stunning—exploration of the coast. We booked the Cape Peninsula Tour with Baz Bus. We met the group at their office near our hotel, boarded our bus, and began the drive along the Atlantic Seaboard. Passing through Camps Bay, the white sand beaches and palm-lined promenade looked pristine against the backdrop of the Twelve Apostles mountain range.
Our first major stop was Hout Bay Harbour, a vibrant working port filled with colorful fishing boats and artisan markets. We took a boat cruise to Duiker Island to see the Cape Fur Seal colony. As we left the harbour, we spotted the Lichtenstein Castle perched on the slopes of Karbonkelberg Mountain, looking like it was plucked straight from Europe and dropped into the African wild. We also rounded The Sentinel, a massive, jagged peak that stands as a guardian at the mouth of the bay.
Approaching Duiker Island was a sensory experience—the sound and sight of thousands of seals barking and basking on the rocks were incredible. The boat maneuvered quite close, allowing us to see them gliding effortlessly through the water. After the boat arrived back the at harbour, we had some time to browse around and check out the local shops.
Back on land, we drove toward Chapman’s Peak Drive, arguably one of the most spectacular marine drives in the world. We stopped at a lookout point to enjoy a light snack of muffins and yogurt while soaking in the panoramic views of Hout Bay.
Continuing south, we caught glimpses of Long Beach, a vast stretch of white sand popular with surfers and horse riders, as we entered the Cape Point Nature Reserve.
Inside the reserve, the tour added an active twist: a 6-kilometer bicycle ride to the Tourist Information Centre. Bicycles and helmets were provided, and the guides told us by what time they expected us to reach there.
Riding through the fynbos (local shrubland) without the barrier of bus windows was refreshing.
At the center, we enjoyed a picnic lunch: salad and chips, rolls with cold cuts and cheese along with fruits and juice. We had some time and browsed a small museum detailing the maritime history and unique ecology of the Cape.
We then moved to Cape Point National Park. While the Flying Dutchman Funicular was available to whisk visitors up the hill, we decided to hike the path to the Old Cape Point Lighthouse.
After the lunch break we got back into the bus and headed to Cape Point National Park. Here we could buy a ticket and ride the Flying Dutchman Funicular up to the viewing point but we just decided to hike up like almost everyone else.
From this height, we could see the Cape Peninsula behind us and the vast ocean ahead. The New Cape Point Lighthouse perched much lower on the cliffs—built there because the old one was often shrouded in too much fog to be useful to ships.
For the final stretch, I chose to walk to the Cape of Good Hope via the Cape Peninsula Wooden Walkway. The trail winds along the cliff edge, offering views of the secluded Dias Beach below.
The sand there looked untouched, and though time didn’t permit a descent, the view from above was breathtaking. Eventually, I reached the iconic sign marking the most South-Western point of Africa.
The drive back was a mini-safari; we spotted baboons near the road and ostriches and bontebok antelope wandering through the scrub.
Our final stop was Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town. This is home to a massive colony of African Penguins (also known as Jackass Penguins for their braying sounds).
Watching them waddle across the sand and swim through the rock pools from the boardwalk was fun.
This was the end of our trip and we drove back to Cape Town. To end the day, we headed to Mama Africa on Long Street. The restaurant is a Cape Town institution, famous for its rustic decor and live marimba music.
I decided to be adventurous and ordered Mama’s Wild Game Mixed Grill. It was a unique opportunity to try a variety of local meats, including crocodile, ostrich, springbok, kudu, and venison sausage. Each had a distinct flavor, making it a meal to remember.
After an enjoyable dinner we walked down Long Street back to the hotel, ready for a more relaxed pace tomorrow.