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I have spent the last 2 nights in the Tented Camp at Silvermine, part of the Hoerikwaggo Hiking Trail accomodation.

The camp is less than 15 minutes from my home so my friends and I really didn't expect to have to watch out for any wildlife more exciting than a grey mongoose. This probably led to complacency I suppose and although we did close the door to the kitchen area we obviously didn't close it well enough. In the morning I discovered the door standing open and upon further investigation found a very large part of a chocolate birthday cake had mysteriously disappeared. In the icing was 2 distinct footprints.

Last night, while a boisterous group of friends sat braai'ing last night the eater of cake returned to see what else was available. Lucky for me it is obviously used to people (up to a point) and although very skittish it did sit still for a few seconds while we photographed it from a distance.



So make sure the door is properly closed and I'd suggest leaving through the side door which isn't likely to blow open during the night. Even more important, don't try to feed it, catch it, play with it or molest it please. Just leave it to go about it's business and make sure it doesn't get involved in yours. :-)

It was an amazing weekend, it was so restful and such a eye opener, yet at the same time it was 15 minutes from home and around 10 minutes for the shops. I can't wait to go again.

What a beauty, thanks for posting Nick

Stunning and thank you for the warning.......

Very impressive visitor that you had Nick 14 with a fondness for chocolate cake . Great photo Chocolate cake lovers always leave a trail behind … sometimes even footprints in the cake

Nick super super sighting
Do you have to hike to the tented camp or can you take your car there ??? it would be a nice short break for us too

Hi Hugh, You can drive almost all the way. The last 20 meters or so you'll have to hike though.

It's an excellent weekend get away. FYI, all the camps on the Hoerikwaggo Hiking Trail are available, so long as no one actually doing the hike needs them.

I spent time in the Overseers Hut on top of Table Mountain in January, that was equally amazing even more so after a run in with a Skaapsteker who bit my boot in an attempt to educate me on the virtues of watching where I'm going. No harm done to either of us so we parted as friends.

The Overseers Hut requires a hike up the mountain though.

thanks for that info .. making the mountain is not really out of the question but which route is the quickest ?
did the pipe track which is of course mainly level two weeks ago. Can you use the cable car at all.. just thinking of a lazy version ?

Hi Hugh. The best route up is from the parking lot on top of Constantia Nek. The road winds up the mountain and is very steep but it goes directly past the Overseers Hut. Hut is a very deceptive term though, there is room for A LOT of people and facilities are really excellent. Part of the booking fee includes all your food and clothing being transported up the mountain for you so all you need for the hike is your day pack. The walk around the dams is fantastic!

You will need torches though as there is no electricity, water and cooking is done on gas with gas fridges. Bedding is provided so you don't need to take any.

SAN Parks, I really hope someone is reading all the free marketing I'm doing for you here. :-)

Thanks I have been up that track and its not that bad. Well a wee road really , no scrambling or climbing and you cant get lost.. I will keep it in mind . Walked when my three children were little and went as far as the upper cable station and then walked all the way back .. There are lots of "unknown " places on the mountain .. But soon with all your knowledge we will know about them ... Sanparks Owe you one !!!