Table Mountain Walks

Hiking at Cape Point

October 6, 2009 – 12:30 pm

Last Friday (2 October) we had a most enjoyable day of hiking in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (also know as Cape Point).  Two American clients and I headed to the reserve early in the morning and were almost the second people to enter the control gate.  Great  - Cape Point to ourselves! We first made our way upwards to the lighthouse in blustery conditions admiring the ocean views and rough seas.  No whales obliged with an appearance but one's thoughts do drift back to past times and the voyages of Diaz and da Gama as they rounded this world renowned promontory. Returning to the car park we next headed off to the Cape of Good Hope and along the amazing cliff path with specacular views of surf and sea and the dramatic Dias beach.   We were lucky to spot a lone dassie who was soon startled by a ...

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A wet week in Cape Town

September 7, 2009 – 6:53 pm

Hopefully if you are coming to Cape Town and want to walk Table Mountain you will be able to schedule for later this week (7th - 13th September).  The next few days we are looking at wet and windy weather although the forecasters have been know on occasion to get it wrong!  September is often a strange month when one expects the weather to improve but if last year was anything to go by I think it was one of the wettest months on record. Last week there were only three decent hiking days and this week its looking much the same.  So that's why you need to plan at least five days in the city so as to be sure to get lucky on at least one of those days.  Of course those hardy folk may be inclined to go whatever but Table Mountain in these  conditions is a most ...

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Website undergoing some changes

August 18, 2009 – 9:12 am

Change is often a good thing so please bear with us while the website is being redesigned. We are not planning anything too radical,  just some new pictures and some changes to the layout.  The site is still fully functional so you can still make a booking or enquiry.  If you have any suggestions please email me  - client input is always appreciated!

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Remember when booking ……..

August 11, 2009 – 12:11 pm

When booking a walk bear in mind that at any time of year the weather in Cape Town is changeable.  Therefore we recommend that you book your walk on the first or second day of your stay.  It may then be possible to reschedule if the weather is unfavourable on the day of your original booking.  If you book your hike on the last day you wont have another option.  Of course if you have booked other tours it might not be possible to change things around but then again it might particularly if it is a scheduled tour. Of course the above advice is particularly applicable in winter but even in summer our weather is variable and the wind is more of a factor.  Along with the south east wind, which blows strongly in the summer months, is the Table Cloth - the cloud cover on Table Mountain.  While this ...

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Walking is the only way up!

July 23, 2009 – 6:19 pm

The cableway is closed for annual maintenance so be aware it's walk it up or stay at the bottom. In all honesty you can get some good city views from Tafelberg Rd but it doesn't compare with being 650 metres higher on top of the mountain.  This time the cableway is closed for 4 weeks altogether and reopens on 17 August. Obviously some people not being aware of the closure are disappointed when they arrive in Cape Town.  Hiking up Table Mountain is not for everyone but many not so fit people walk to the top and down so really its just the desire that is the most important. Also keep in mind on average the cableway is probably closed twice a week due to wind - even in summer  - in fact probably more so as the south east wind blows strongly in the warmer months.  So you can never be ...

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Back from South America

July 6, 2009 – 10:15 am

It's always good to get home although often it takes a week or two to adjust to no longer being on the move and navigating one's way through airports, bus stations etc.  Now back for a week I am beginning to settle down and with the weather being so good (apart from today) it certainly helps one to adjust. Having traveled through the Atacama Desert, the Salar de Uyuni and so many wonderful sights in Bolivia and Chile my motivation to explore more of South America is even  greater.  However in my opinion Table Mountain competes with all I have seen in the Andes and even without the snow it has it own majestic magic.  For anyone considering a trip to these parts of South America I will gladly give recommendations and a more detailed account of where I went and what I did. My third Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was ...

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Taking a break in South America

May 15, 2009 – 12:58 pm

The Cape Town winter weather is really setting in this weekend with gale force winds and torrential rain forecast!  Not exactly the best weather for going on a hike up Table Mountain.  Now we are into  are quiet season so for me it is time to take off and head for other pastures to explore and experience other parts of the world. I head for the Inca Trail again where I will meet up with a group from Ireland and experience the wonders of Macchu Pichu for the third time.  However firstly I travel to Santiago in Chile for a few days and travel overland for just under three weeks to La Paz in Bolivia.  This will take me through the wonders of the Atacama Desert and the Uyani Salt Lakes of Bolivia as well as many other fascinating places like Potosi and Sucre where one can explore some of the ...

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Birding Tours

May 15, 2009 – 12:15 pm

We are pleased to be able to offer specialised birding tours in the Cape.  Kim Wright is a expert birding guide and can take you on a half day or full day tour to some of the birding hotspots in and around Cape Town including, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Park Island in Marina de Gama, Paarl and Faure Water Treatment plants and Rondevlei Nature Reserve.  Kim has many years of experience in leading birding tours not only in the Cape but all over South Africa and her knowledge and skills will allow you to identify as many species as possible. For detailed itineraries as well as prices please contact us and we can customise a tour to suit your areas of interest.

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Taxis - rather go with Rikkis!

April 11, 2009 – 8:11 am

Just some advice for those visiting Cape Town for the first time.  Metered taxis in Cape Town are not cheap (in comparison to everything else!) and are not always to be trusted with their fares and the settings on their meters which is why I always recommend the use of Rikkis taxis for those who dont have their own transport. Rikkis operate two types of taxi transport, Rikkis Direct and Rikkis Share Ride.  The share ride is cheaper and good for short journeys around the city centre.  They may deviate slightly to pick up and drop off others but this is only a slight inconvenience.  They will quote you a price before you get on so no chance of being overcharged.  The Rikkis Direct means you have the cab to yourself and is a little more expensive but still excellent value compared with metered taxis.  To give you an example the ...

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Fire on Devil’s Peak

March 30, 2009 – 7:01 pm

I have received some inquiries about the fire two weeks ago and the effect it might have had on Table Mountain.  Well - the answer is none.  The fire started below Rhodes Memorial on the lower slopes of Devils Peak and spread upwards and also across to the Table Mountain side of the peak.  Table Mountain itself was not burnt at all.   Unfortunately two people died in the fire - they were sleeping on the slopes and despite the brave efforts of fire fighters the burns they received were too extensive. In a previous article I wrote about the role that fire plays in the ecology of fynbos and it seems as if the debate continues between the ecologists and the authorities regarding how this type of fire should be handled. However when faced with the prospect of loss of human life and property surely there can be no debate and ...

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