Baz Blog: Taking the Cape Peninsula Tour
SA Blog is touring South Africa on the Baz Bus, following the adventures of intrepid Baz Blogger Kathy – a.k.a. “Trekker“.
Now that you have toured along with me on the entire Baz Bus route (Leg One | Leg Two | Leg Three), it is time to head back to Cape Town and take the Baz Bus Cape Peninsula Tour, the best of its kind.
Peninsula Tour Essential Info
Cost: R350 per person
Discount: R30 off the tour with any Baz Bus tour over R500
Duration: Full Day Tour (8am – 5pm)
Runs: Daily except Mondays.
Includes: Light breakfast, scrumptious lunch, South African tour guide, bicycles, all entrance fees.
Whether you are in South Africa for the full “Cape to Kruger” tour, or simply passing through Cape Town for a few days, the Baz Bus Peninsula Tour is an excellent day out.
If you’re riding the bus to your next hostel in Cape Town, you can book the tour with your driver; or make a reservation through your Cape Town Hostel; or by phoning the Bas Bus direct: +27 (0) 21 439 2323.
If you book the tour during your travels and are not sure of the exact date you want to go, don’t stress, just call the office a few days before you know you’ll be ready. I had booked the tour in October 2005, planning to go on it in December. But then I got to Coffee Bay and stayed there till January. It was no problem that I only took the tour four months after making my booking.
My day of choice was a Saturday, which meant the bus was several people lighter, (potential tourers were “recovering” from a sudden onset of alcohol-induced flu). In total, we had around nine travellers, a tour guide and a driver, heading out to explore Cape Town’s gorgeous mountain peninsula chain by 9 a.m.
As we wound our way through Cape Town’s streets towards Hout Bay, our tour guide kept us entertained with lively commentary and amusing stories. We chugged past all the areas on the Atlantic Seaboard where the rich and famous live (Bantry Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, Llandudno, etc.), the magnificent Twelve Apostle mountains forming the background.
Once in Hout Bay an optional boat cruise to Seal Island was offered. (This is the only activity for which the fee is not included in the tour price.) About half decided to go, while the other half (I suspect the ones with a hangover) decided to head down towards the coffee shop and browse the curio markets – including, um, me. Those who went on the boat loved it – it was noisy and smelly and fantastic. The boat has an underwater camera so you can watch the seals frolic in the waves.
Our next stop – after driving from Hout Bay to Noordhoek via the spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive (a mini-California Highway One, but steeper) – was one of the most popular places in Cape Town, Boulders Beach, part of the Table Mountain National Park – where swimmers and sightseers can get up close and personal with the local penguins.
Formerly known as Jackass Penguins (after the donkey-like sounds they make) they have recently been renamed African Penguins. This was my favorite part of the tour – you are so close to your new feathered friends that you can almost touch them, and they make great models for you camera.
- BUT REMEMBER, these are wild animals that are not to be petted, fed, or taken home as souvenirs! Plus it’s said they also bite, so watch those fingers.
As everyone’s stomach began to rumble, we headed towards the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, strapped on our helmets, and saddled up for a brisk bike ride down to Buffels Bay, a lovely, secluded beach, surrounded all the way by wildlife and fantastic, fynbos-scented scenery.
Lunch consisted of FRESH rolls, cold meats, cheese, chips, salad, water and fruit juice. Munching away you get a great view of the beach and sparkling sea. But look out for the baboons, they are not afraid and will try and take the food right out of your hands if they can. Feeding the baboons is strictly prohibited, as this behavior is not encouraged and can be dangerous to both the animals and people.
After the yummy lunch and a walk along the beach, you can take a quick dip if you want (the water temp can get as low as a very chilly 15 degrees C, or somewhere ’round there, so brace yourself). Then it’s time to head for Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope, the southwestern-most point of Africa, where it feels like you’re standing at the end of the Earth.
By the time we chugged on back to Cape Town and jumped off at the hostel (quite late in the afternoon), we were ready for a nice relaxing evening and a good dinner. Good friends were made, good fun was had and great scenery was explored.
Thanks to everyone for traveling with me on this epic Baz Bus tour! My Baz Blogging has now almost come to an end: next week I will give you a wrap up, remind you of some of the Baz basics, and let you know all the new things that have come into play.
Until then, keep trekkin’…
Trekker