SAFARI THROUGH SOUTH AFRICA - Ⅳ

摘要

After being with the group for a couple of weeks it is something of a relief to be on my own again and free to do whatever I want. Now my main objective is to see a Cheetah, long my favourite animal of all the African panoply, and the only one I did not see in the Kruger. First though I take a trip down the Cape Peninsula to the legendary Cape of Good Hope. Before reaching it there is Cape Point which is one of the most magnificent promontories on earth, with a real wow factor. I take the "Flying Dutchman" funicular railway up to the top and walk around the Lighthouse, enjoying stunning views of rocks and fynbos vegetation above turquoise seas, and watching the birds nesting along the cliff edges from above. The Cape of Good Hope was originally named Cape of Storms by the Portuguese explorer Bartholemew Diaz in 1488, a description well deserved but Good Hope has more of an air of optimism about it and the King of Portugal decided to change the name. Although it is not the southernmost point of Africa, (which is Cape Agulhas) nor the most spectacular of the Capes, it is still quite stunning. We drive past Baboons, Eland and Ostriches and a tree filled with baby monkeys, while out to sea there are plentiful seals and cormorants.