Sights Archives ⋆ Page 11 of 147 ⋆ The Passenger

April 23, 2024January 31, 2025

Sunrise

Meerkats, small mongoose species native to the southern regions of Africa, are known for their highly social and cooperative behavior, living in large family groups called mobs or clans. These groups can range from a few individuals to over 30, with complex social structures and roles within the group. Meerkats are highly dependent on each other for survival, and they exhibit remarkable cooperation, particularly when it comes to protecting their young and foraging for food.

April 22, 2024January 30, 2025

Bontebok

The Bontebok National Park can be found near Swellendam and offers a wonderful, relaxed and immersive experience for nature lovers with its self-drive game routes. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the iconic bontebok, a species of antelope once on the brink of extinction, and now thriving within the park’s protected boundaries. The self-drive game route allows visitors to explore the park at their own pace, offering opportunities to observe wildlife in their natural habitat, such as springbok, zebra, turtles, giant spiders and various bird species, including the blue crane and black harrier.

April 21, 2024January 30, 2025

Boschendal

There are so many wine estates near Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. If you’ve got time you can take the Franschhoek Wine Tram and visit multiple ones without the need to drive on your own. If you can only visit one, try one of the oldest: Boschendal Wine Estate is located in the picturesque Franschhoek Valley of the Cape Winelands and is one of South Africa’s most renowned wine estates. Established in 1685, it has a rich history, initially founded by the French Huguenot Jean le Long. Today, Boschendal is celebrated for its exceptional wines, particularly its Chardonnay, Shiraz, and Cabernet Sauvignon, which reflect the estate’s commitment to sustainable and organic farming practices.

April 21, 2024January 30, 2025

Eidgenossen

The Huguenots were French Protestants who fled France in the late 17th century due to severe religious persecution after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, which had previously granted them religious freedom. Many sought refuge in Protestant countries across Europe, but a significant number were granted asylum in the Cape Colony by the Dutch East India Company in the late 1600s and early 1700s. They were welcomed to South Africa for their expertise in farming, viticulture, and craftsmanship, which was highly valued in the development of the colony. The arrival of the Huguenots significantly influenced the agricultural practices in the region, particularly in wine-making, establishing the Cape Winelands as one of the world’s foremost wine-producing areas. Their contributions have left a lasting imprint on South African culture, especially in the Afrikaans language, architecture, and food.

April 21, 2024January 30, 2025

Afrikaans

Afrikaans is one of South Africa’s official languages, widely spoken as a first language by millions, primarily in the Western Cape and Northern Cape, and also used in various other parts of the country. It evolved from Dutch in the 17. century, influenced by Malay, Portuguese, and various African languages, and was historically used as the language of instruction in schools and government. Today, it holds cultural significance, especially in literature, music, and media, reflecting South Africa’s rich diversity.

April 20, 2024January 30, 2025

Boulders Beach

When visiting Cape Town you can’t leave out Boulders Beach in Simon’s Town along the Cape Peninsula. It is famous for its resident colony of African penguins, also known as Jackass penguins due to their distinctive braying call. The beach is a protected area, providing a safe haven for these endangered birds, and visitors can observe the penguins up close as they waddle across the sand, swim in the clear waters, and nest in the rocks. The penguins have made Boulders Beach their home since the early 1980s, and their numbers have steadily increased over the years, making it one of the best places in the world to see them in their natural habitat.

April 20, 2024January 30, 2025

Cape of Good Hope

Located at the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa, the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in the world. Often mistakenly thought to be the southernmost point of Africa, it marks the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and is famous for its rugged beauty, dramatic cliffs, and diverse wildlife. The cape is part of the Table Mountain National Park and attracts visitors for both its natural splendor and its historical role as a navigational landmark for sailors during the Age of Exploration.

April 20, 2024January 30, 2025

Chappy

Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay / Noordhoek

Chapman’s Peak Drive, one of the most scenic coastal routes in the world, winds its way along the rugged cliffs of the Cape Peninsula, offering breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding mountains. The drive stretches for about nine kilometers between Hout Bay and Noordhoek, with the road hugging the steep cliffs and offering spectacular vistas at every turn. Built in the early 20th century, the road is a marvel of engineering, cutting through towering cliffs and providing a thrilling experience for drivers and passengers alike.

April 19, 2024May 20, 2024

Bo-Kaap

Between the city center of Cape Town and Signal Hill you can find a special city quarter that is mostly known for its colorful painted houses: Bo-Kaap. It has narrow and steep streets and is obviously not the prime location to built a city quarter on (even though it is really close to the city center); it is the place that the so-called Cape Malays were allowed to settle in. They’re a Muslim group whose ancestors were enslaved by the Dutch East India Company and brought to South Africa.

April 19, 2024January 30, 2025

Squirrel paradise

The Company’s Garden in Cape Town is a historic public park located in the heart of the city, originally established in the 17th century by the Dutch East India Company as a supply garden to provide fresh produce to passing ships on their voyages to the East. Over the centuries, the garden has evolved into a lush, green space surrounded by significant cultural and historical landmarks, including the South African Museum, National Gallery, and the parliament buildings.