Monday 4 April 2011

EXPRESS CAPE TOWN – ( One day Big 5 Safari & Table Mountain Walks)

I was lucky enough to meet a young lady originally from Texas, but currently residing in the concrete jungle of London, England.  She had literally stepped off the plane an hour ago and was standing with a friend ready in the hotel foyer, fired up for their first- ever hike up Table Mountain. How’s that for motivation?  It was their very first time visiting South Africa and I couldn’t wait to share the beauty that our mountain has to offer. Our starting point was through the spectacular Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens - up the very renowned Skeleton Gorge – and then on to Maclear’s Beacon, before reaching the Upper Cable Station. What a way to start a relationship with Cape Town!
This is a great route up the back of Table Mountain, and is beautifully shaded by the lush indigenous forests, which we were quite grateful for,  as we had started late in the morning on a hot day – having had to wait for British Airways to disembark. Doing guided walks up the mountain, I find you really get to know your guests - as there is ample time to talk and more importantly, to listen!
I feel so at home on the mountain that is doesn’t even feel like work.  Eventually one feels like you are walking with friends you have known for ages.  I think they were both so grateful to be out in nature and the fresh air – something very natural to me!  Away from the giant city and its busy life . They were on a work conference, so time was limited during their stay and work was extremely demanding. They had such a great time, looking at beautiful Proteas that had just bloomed, taking in the breathtaking views and smelling the different aromas in the air, that they insisted on more!
Even though they had a tight schedule, we managed to squeeze in one more (early morning) hike up Chapman’s  Peak -  before work.  
I really wanted to share with them the extraordinary views of a different part of Cape Town. With Cape Town’s unpredictable weather, we had a little taste of the howling South Easter, but even that did not spoil our fun. They actually quite enjoyed the wind as they could breathe in more fresh air! Now that’s a half-full glass!
Never having visited Africa, they also wanted a proper African Safari experience - and asked if there was any place in the Western Cape that they could explore this option. They only had Saturday free, but had to board an aeroplane @ 4pm!  With the limited time available, I had the perfect solution for them – a one day Big 5 African Safari, literally an hour out of Cape Town.  I could not help being excited with them, knowing what was awaiting them!  A fantastic adventure – even closer to nature!   
Arriving at the gate of the Nature Reserve, we were all quite excited about what we were about to experience. Driving through the gate, a ranger approached us with a very concerned look on his face. He promptly told us that there was a White Rhino further up the road and that we should not stop at all - unless we wanted to be turned upside down! This was a bit concerning for me.......it was not a  buck or tortoise in the road......it was a 2 ton Rhino......and he looked like he was in the mood to play rugby!
As we continue, the girls were fumbling in the back trying to get their cameras ready, and not quite sure whether to open the windows . Excitement flushed through  the air!....and yes we did make it to the Boma for breakfast and I will leave the rest to your imagination as I couldn’t tell everything.
The whole experience was actually very incredible for them. They had never been into Central Africa  or for that matter even been close to any kind or safari. Nothing can describe the feeling you get when you come close to these animals, each one is so individually different in their nature, habits, the way they move, behaviour, camouflage and beauty.

Some interesting facts:
·         The 2ton Rhino with its prehistoric appearance and thick hide was in recent decades  relentlessly hunted to the point of near extinction. Since 1970 the world rhino population has declined by 90 percent, with five species remaining in the world today, all of which are endangered.
·         The awkward giraffe that has the second biggest eye of any mammal (and they do have beautiful eyes and long lashes) has a tongue of 27 inches and the same amount of vertebrae as a human.
·         The Zebra with its amazing markings – their coats dissipate 70% of incoming heat and to learn about their cousin the “Quagga”who has become extinct.
·         The 6 ton Elephant – the largest and most impressive mammal on land, with its remarkable multifunctional trunk, and tusks that can reach 138 inches & 214 ponds.
·         The courageous lion – believe it or not the female does 85% - 90% of the prides hunting, while the males patrol the territory, these animals sleep 16-20 hours a day (now that sounds lovely – I must have been a lion in my previous life!) .

These are only a few interesting facts that  you learn through-out the day.
It definitely gives you an introduction and insight into each animal. Unlike a safari up in Africa you get up close to these animals and can enjoy the unforgettable feeling, as even though some of these animals might be more used to humans....they are still instinctively wild animals.  

No comments:

Post a Comment