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17.02.2008 Cape of Good Hope and Boulders
After a very relaxing time at West Coast National Park we were curious to see the Cape and the penguins again. Outside the gate the road was crowded with baboons. Was it too busy inside the park?
A long queue at the gate required a lot of patience. It took 20 minutes to enter the park.

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We got a far away parking at the lighthouse. No lift today, everybody had to walk to the top.

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Coloured ants crawling the hill. Some didn't make it to the top, some needed the benches for a rest. The walkway provided lovely views as well as the viewing platform of the lighthouse. Nice weather today. This is certainly the most photographed lighthouse in the world, isn't it?

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At Cape Point seals enjoyed the waves. To leave the park was much easier than to enter it and soon we were on the way to the penguins.

Thanks Sable.

It looks as though you had magnificent weather. I am amazed at how busy the Park has become over the last few years. I must say, that I still love it, because of it's dramatic scenery. I would love to spend some time walking some of the trails.

MM this was my fourth visit at the Cape since 1992 and it really gets more busy every time, but the magnificent landscape and the fine weather always give unforgettable impressions.
Having a walk on some of the trails is certainly great. So there is still something new for my next visit.

Boulders was as busy as the Cape. It seems there were more visitors than penguins, but the penguins were cute as always.

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Most of them enjoyed the afternoon sun on the beach. Are there some youngsters among them?


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They really care for each other.


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There was a coming and going to the sea as well.

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I love to watch them jump down the rocks. This time there were only a few jumps.
As I tried to get a picture of such a jump the one became scared that it might be to high and turned around. Poor guy had to go a long way round to prevent the jump. ... and no picture for sable this time.

Some penguins were already in the bush towards the entrance, maybe on the way to their gardens and patios.


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Hi sable,

lovely report and great pictures but moreover your report is bringing some good memories back whilst staying there on our first South African holidays in 2003. We could spent hours watching the little penguins and the walks in the Cape of the Good Hope NP are fantastic but to do them all you need an extra holiday.

Thanks once more and hopefully we will see more

I couldn't agree more Pumbaa.

Sable, lovely pictures .
I lived in Cape Town for many years, but it is only now that I really appreciate it's wild beauty.

Lovely start
Keep it coming sable, looking forward to more.

Katy

Thanks Sable...your report serves to remind me what I have on my doorstep..yet again a reminder to myself to get out there more often!
Great photos of the delightful penguins!

Thanks for the trip report Sable - it certainly brings back memories. Those rocks at Boulders must be amoungst the most photographed rocks in the world ... I wonder how many of us have pics of penguins and those rocks .....? Also, ... wonder if they beat the lighthouse?

Thank you MM,Pumbaa, katydownunder, MN and icurrie.
MN you definitely have great places on your doorstep and they are always worth a visit. Hope you can show us more of them soon.
icurrie, I didn't think about the rocks ... yes indeed, they may beat the lighthouse.

Lovely reports sable, brought back some nice memories of my visits to those funny delightful penguins.Thank you for sharing with us

I'm surprised that you don't spend more time in the Cape Point park, sable? IMO the lighthouse is the least interesting part — I've only bothered with it once, but I always visit Cape point at least once when I'm in the Cape (on my last two trips, both a full day and a partical day there — I love my WildCard! ). The side roads lead to many beautiful and interesting areas, particularly Olifantsbos and Black Rocks, and these roads are never crowded, even when the park is at its busiest, as most visitors just rush to the lighthouse and then rush back out. Since you clearly enjoy WCNP, you really should also spend more time exploring Cape Point, one of my favourite places!

@sable
Thanks for sharing these great pics of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve & the penguin colony at Boulders beach! They are such adoreable little critters!
Safarigirl

Thank you Dotty, arks and Safarigirl. Yes the penguins are definitely adorable little critters.
Finally we got the video of our Boulders visit uploaded.
More about the penguins ...

Reports 2008
West Coast National Park
Cape of Good Hope National Park and Boulders
Karoo National Park, Addo Elephant National Park,
Mountain Zebra National Park

Thank you for sharng Sable...you have reminded me that I must go visit my friends more often!
Great video