Touching down in Cape Town for my third visit to this country, I decide to look beyond the usual bucket list of the Table Mountain, Cape of Good Hope and game drives to spot the Big Five. After all, South Africa’s true charm lies in some unusual experiences like soaring over the vast ocean and exploring fascinating underground caves. Over the next week, I uncover another facet of the country at these five stops lying close to Cape Town and Mossel Bay, a picturesque coastal town.
Ziplining at Mossel Bay
I couldn’t wait to be strapped into my harness and fly along the world’s longest zipline that goes over the ocean at Mossel Bay. When I reach Mossel Bay Zipline, I am given clear instructions on how to slow down and gain speed before a car takes me to the starting point at the top of the cliff. My heart races as I zip over the vast Indian Ocean at nearly 80 kmph. Despite being some 100 meters above the water, at one point a wave rises high enough to splash my face. Although the ride lasts barely a minute, the bird’s eye view of the rugged cliffs and coastline, the waves crashing against the rocks and the vastness of the blue expanse gets imprinted in my mind. It is not just an adrenaline rush, it is a leap into the unknown.
Ostrich capital of the world – Oudtshoorn
For close encounters with the world’s largest bird, visit the Ostrich Capital of the World in Oudtshoorn, a place where ostriches outnumber humans. I head out to Highgate Ostrich Show Farm, the world’s first ostrich show farm. With an instructor’s help, I feed the tall, stately birds – it’s both fascinating and ticklish as they crane their long necks to reach one’s hand. A guided tour of the farm is a great way to learn about these flightless, feathered creatures including some fun facts – for example an ostrich egg is sturdy enough to stand on.
Cango Caves
Going back at least 20 million years, this is Africa’s oldest and most fascinating cave system that lies about 30 km outside Oudtshoorn. With a network of vast underground chambers and spectacular limestone formations, it is truly a geological wonder. One can sign up for two tours – Heritage and Adventure. The first one, which I take, is an easy walking tour that takes me into six stunning caverns with catchy names like Rainbow Chamber, Bridal Chamber, Fairy Chamber and the Africa Drum Room. The Adventure tour is more challenging as one has to bend and crawl through narrow tunnels and passageways.
Wine tram in Franschhoek
One of the most charming ways to visit the famed Cape Winelands near Cape Town is to get aboard a wine tram that meanders through Franschhoek, one of the three main wine towns in the region. The tram runs on over 100-year-old tracks along five different lines. I ride on the Blue Line where the experience begins with a glass of rose being handed to me on the tram. One can hop on and hop off at vineyards. The story of the two vineyards I visit is related on board the tram. Boschendal is South
Africa’s second oldest wine estate while the Vrede en Lus was set up in 1688. With the scent of grapes hanging in the air, sipping the reds and the whites under gigantic trees in the shadow of mountains adds up to an unforgettable day.
Micro lighting
Want to start the day with a bit of adventure? Try micro lighting at Wintervogel Farm in Malmesbury near Franschhoek. I reach at dawn to fly pillion with the pilot in an ultralight two seater aircraft and after donning the suit and helmet, I am airborne sitting in the tiniest open cockpit. Within minutes I am gliding a few hundred meters above sea level. The panoramic view that lay beneath me – green fields is truly breathtaking. As the wind kisses my cheek, I could even spot the iconic Table Mountain in the distance.
As I wrap up my trip, I realise that these experiences from sky-high adventures to underground explorations have added a new dimension to my tryst with South Africa.
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