Chapman’s Peak Drive is now a toll road and runs from Hout Bay to Noordhoek and is a civil engineering miracle. Tour buses can only drive north-south so it is recommended to travel northward from Noordhoek so as not to get stuck behind a large bus, plus the ocean will be on the same side as your car. Call ahead to confirm the toll road is open, as despite extensive work to stabilize the cliffs there are temporary closures. Safety is of paramount importance and the closures are to protect road users from rockfalls that occur intermittently. If the through road is closed it is still worth getting a day pass from the Hout Bay side and walking up the last section to the view spot at the top of the pass. You’ll more than likely encounter runners, walkers and cyclists who use the road regularly for exercise and pleasure. There are official picnic spots on the Hout Bay side.
Penguins have achieved world status through Hollywood blockbuster movies Madagascar, and Happy Feet. In the aftermath of their fame, the desire to see penguins in their natural habitat has become a much sought after activity. Penguins are only found in the southern hemisphere, so journeying to the remote regions of New Zealand or South America or undertaking an Antarctic expedition are fairly extravagant methods to view these quirky birds at close range. At Boulders Beach Coastal Park in Simon’s Town, African penguins roam freely and entertain travelers who observe them from elevated boardwalks. Park rangers and informative sign-boards explain the characteristics & habits of these black and white feathered friends.
For those wanting a more intimate penguin experience, head round the corner to Boulders Beach. Here massive boulders protect a charming beach from the open seas of False Bay. Boulders is immensely popular with families, as it has tranquil waters, boulders to clamber on and the added bonus of being able to swim with penguins! In fact the UK Daily Telegraph voted Boulders Beach Best family beach in the world in 2007.
Families will not want to miss 2 other major attractions on the Cape Point Route – Scratch Patch and the World of Birds. At Scratch Patch, thousands of tumble-polished gemstones cover the floor and kids scratch in the patch to fill a small bag of their chosen gems. At the Topstones factory in Simon’s Town you can also watch the gemstones being tumble-polished and then crafted into gemstone products, which are available for sale in the factory shop. There is a massive range of collector’s pieces, investment gems and inexpensive gift items.
The World of Birds in Hout Bay is Africa’s largest bird park. It’s a tropical paradise of walk-through landscaped aviaries where you get close-up views of birds feeding, singing, socializing, building nests, incubating eggs and feeding chicks. The Monkey Jungle is a favourite with the kids. The squirrel monkeys are extremely inquisitive and will scramble all over the children, but a warning to mum’s to watch out for their earrings which are very popular with the monkeys!
Don’t monkey around when it comes to the Chacma baboons of the Cape Peninsula though. One of the most fascinating yet misunderstood creatures of the Cape Point Route are the Chacma baboons. Most visitors to the area will encounter the baboons on the roadside or in the nature reserve. Baboons are social creatures that provide human-like entertainment, but they can be scary if one is not familiar with their natural behaviour patterns. Baboon Matters is an organization dedicated to the conservation and sustainable management of the baboons and offer a Walking with Baboons experience. This is a guided walk and is the only place on the globe that offers this activity. Visitors to the area are enthralled by the encounter that entails 2 – 3 hours learning about the baboons and observing them in their natural habitat on the beautiful fynbos mountains of the Southern Peninsula.
For more information contact Cape Point Route on 021 782 9356 or visit our website www.capepointroute.co.za
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