Masters of the air
Black (Verreaux’s) Eagles (Aquila verreauxii) are amongst the largest of Africa’s Eagles. They are always associated with mountainous or hilly terrain ,and the adults are almost always seen as a pair. They are magnificent flyers, often seen floating effortlessly on the air, or at other times plunging spectacularly at high velocity. Their preferred prey is the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) and so the distribution of the Black Eagle corresponds closely with that of the rock hyrax.Although Black Eagles are most commonly associated with inland mountains, we are very fortunate to...
Walking Safari in Parque Nacional do Limpopo, Mozambique
There are several reasons why I am extremely excited to be conducting this walking safari to Parque Nacional do Limpopo. Firstly I find the concept of transfrontier parks to be so positive in the face of so much negativity. For many years I have gazed at maps of southern Africa and fantasised about a wildlife refuge that could stretch from The Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Obviously others shared my fantasy and over the past few years a momentum has built up, and this fantasy is rapidly becoming a reality.In...
The Jacksons meet the Cape Peninsula Baboons
Peter & Rayna Jackson come from the UK and they like to walk. So they gave me a comprehensive itinerary and asked whether we could walk it . . . and we did. The following photo-essay captures some of the highlights of the trip.There was the time when we thought our walking party was going to growThe most beautiful walk in the world brought out the romantic. No surprise when you are in such stunning surroundings: Talk about dining “alfresco” The weather was so lovely even the baboons took the...
Mountains in the Sea – The last day
Many people consider the last day of the Mountains In The Sea Trail to be the most spectacular. I reserve judgement on that, but it certainly rates as one of the most beautiful walks in South Africa. The day I guided the Musketts and Barry Gregg on the trail we had a very special surprise indulgence. Soon after starting the trail we came across two of the extremely rare Cape Point Klipspringers. These remarkable creatures are adapted to living in rocky areas, and are incredibly agile on precipitous cliffs.We were...
Mountains in the Sea – Day Three
Day three of this Mountains in the Sea Trail dawned cool and misty – too misty for photographs. This was a welcome change from the blistering heat we had experienced the day before. But by the time we had crossed the beach, Chapman’s Peak - our nemesis, was visible and the mist was burning off.Two hours later and the heat had returned. And so our arrival at Kleinplaas Dam was especially welcome.Along the route we were treated to the sight of a Blood Flower (Haemanthus species). These intriguing and exquisite...
Mountains in the Sea – the next instalment
It was another hot day and Swartkop looked unusually high, so Janet and Tom elected to use their arms instead of their legs for the morning. We paddled ocean kayaks in a stiff wind and choppy sea, from Simonstown around the harbour wall to Boulders Beach, where we saw the penguins.Then we stopped for a rest and a swim at Seaforth Beach before returning to Simonstown.Surprisingly, Tom and Janet had not been tired out by the paddle, and so we set off for an afternoon walk. Taking the heat...
Mountains in the Sea
Right now I am walking the length of the Mountains in The Sea with Tom & Janet Muskett. Day two dawned one of those magical days that force me to acknowledge that I live in the most beautiful city in the world. Yes, the weather was warm for walking . . . but the rewards far outweighed the heat.Fortunately most of the morning was spent walking in shade. The cliffs of Blackburn Ravine were as inspirational as ever.Views across the bay to the Sentinel were spectacular. The sea colour was...
Walking in the Silvermine Mountains
Lindsay Young is a really nice guy! He’s enthusiastic about life, humorous and has an infectious delight for the outdoors. So he made for an excellent companion on a recent walk in the Silvermine Mountains. I guess that it helped that Lindsay and Kili got on so well!Lindsay had chosen this area to walk because he was staying close by and wanted to walk in the hills without a long commute. Most Capetonians who bother walking in Silvermine consider it a good place for a quick stroll. How wrong.We spent...
Muizenberg’s walks
Muizenberg is famous for its long white beach, warm water and predictable surf. It has a good reputation for ice cream, too. It is also well known for its transition from playground of the wealthy to derelict and, more recently, back to a favoured residential area. Looking further into the past it is celebrated for the old toll-house and its keeper Sgt Muys (after whom the village is named), as well as The Battle of Muizenberg and the house where Cecil John Rhodes died.Surprisingly, it is not recognized for the...
Picnic with whales
There are often beautiful days in Cape Town . . . and then there are days of heaven. Today was such a day, with mild temperatures of 20 deg C, cloudless skies and barely a breath of air. Both False Bay and The Atlantic seaboard were as still as wishing-wells.I was fortunate to host Mike & Pip Tait from Newcastle on a tour of the Cape Peninsula. Mike was particularly keen that we would see whales and other wildlife. He has traveled elsewhere three times in the vain hope of...