Category Archives: South Africa

Hiking Table Mountain

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There are a few ways up Table Mountain, and some are certainly more difficult than others.

I decided to take the easy(ish) way up.  Of course, the really easy way would be the cable car, but I consider that cheating!  There are, however, some good views of the cable car on the India Venster route, as seen below.

The simple and least difficult hike is via Platteklip Gorge.  This is accessible via the road from the visitor center and us about a 5km hike to get to the top.  The views from the top on a clear day are very good.  I obviously had a very nice day, but I’m told that when there are clouds, they can easily cover the city and you will see nothing.
There is a nice, and fairly inexpensive cafe on the top, as well as a souvenir shop and a postbox.  Apparently when you use this postbox, the postcards get stamped as Table Mountain.
After eating, I decided that the hike up was too easy, so I had been told by a guide that I met along the trail to try the harder route on the way down.  The trail begins with a rather ominous warning sign.
It’s fairly clear that they do not want inexperienced hikers taking the trail, and for good reason.  There are several sections which are straight down with hand holds they have put into the rock.  I think if I were to do this again, I would recommend going up this way and down the easier route.  All in all though, it’s a pretty great, but challenging hike.  Don’t forget to take enough water.
About 1km after the warning sign, you get a reminder, which I think is the best hiking sign I have ever seen.

South African Braai

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I found that resteraunts in Kruger National Park varied quite a bit in quality.  Where I started in Lower Sabie was a Mugg and Bean (which I hear is a chain).  The food was quite good; mostly International fare, sandwiches, burgers, steak, etc; but the view was spectacular, right over the Sabie river with good opportunities to watch game on the morning, or the sunset in the evening.

When I passed through Skakuza (where I would love to stay next time) there was a steakhouse overlooking the river and the Skakuza railway bridge.  The food here was really good also.
So, I had high hopes for the last camp, Pretoriuskop.  Unfortunately, it features something called a Whimpy, which is a South African fast food place.  I cannot actually comment on the food since I decided to bbq instead.
In the park shop you can buy meat and vegetables, dessert, and even wine.  They also sell a Braai box which is this wooden box with a fire starter (looks like a small brick of C4), some kindling, and some charcoal.  As far as I can see, all the huts and campsites had somewhere to bbq.
So I placed this box on the metal stand and lit it, and presto … we have fire!
A lot of fire!  Of course, you have to wait for this to calm down a bit before you can start grilling.  Eventually you are left with just the charcoal glowing and then you can start cooking.  Cooking is then the same as using a charcoal grill, so you should spread your charcoal out before you start.
When you book accommodation inside Kruger, try to see what is included.  Some of them have hot plates, cutely, even pots and pans. A fridge is handy too so you can keep milk cold.

Watering holes

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My best sightings of elephants so far has been at Nyamundwa (I don’t think I can pronounce this one), which is 10km East of Phabeni Gate.  This lake was one if the few that I have been to that still had a lot if water in it during the dry season.

When I arrived there was already a few cars there.  You can park right at the edge of the lake and, if you are lucky, you can see elephants taking a bath! There were maybe 15 or so that were playing around in the water and just relaxing in the morning sun.
Further East, close to Lower Sabie is Sunset Point, which is also good for game viewing, especially around sunset.  I saw quite a few hippopotamus here.  They are hard to spot at first if they are almost fully submerged, but if you wait they will return to the surface.
I also saw some crocodile here, which is perhaps why it is important not to get out of your car!
Last night I took another night drive and saw hyena for the first time.  There was a mother and two cubs.  I will add pictures once I download them from my camera.