Diana Petterson African Continent, South Africa

Cango Caves, Mountain Passes, Seaside Town, Wine Tasting & More in South Africa’s Western Cape

That’s me, at least my silhouette, inside the Cango Cave in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)

I’m packing quite a bit into this post because the Intrepid part of my journey came to a close today. So, Let’s catch up!

We left Tsitsikamma National Park early Wednesday morning for Oudtshoorn, a town in South Africa’s Western Cape and traveled along Route 62 which is known for its ostrich farms and wineries. But the big draw for Oudtshoorn are the Cango Caves and its two plus million year old network of limestone chambers. From Oudtshoorn we continued Thursday morning along the scenic Route 62 through gorgeous mountain passes to Swellendam, South Africa, where I got the chance to upgrade to a chalet at the Capricorn Park…well more like a wooden tent enclosure…but I did have my own bathroom facilities.

And, Friday we packed in quite a bit, first by standing at the southern most tip of the African Continent while straddling the Indian and Atlantic Oceans. Then we spent the afternoon wine tasting along Route 62 and devouring delicious food while setting up our last campsite at the seaside town of Hermanus.

We began this incredible Intrepid journey in Johannesburg and now, 22 days later with a robust inventory of memories to call upon, our time together came to close today in Cape Town. Here’s my recent recap…with more to come on Cape Town.

The vineyards and mountain ranges of South Africa along Route 62 on our way Wednesday to Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. (Oct. 17, 2018)
The vineyards and mountain ranges of South Africa along Route 62 on our way Wednesday to Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. (Oct. 17, 2018)
The vineyards and mountain ranges of South Africa along Route 62 on our way Wednesday to Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. (Oct. 17, 2018)
The vineyards and mountain ranges of South Africa along Route 62 on our way Wednesday to Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. (Oct. 17, 2018)
Our group and others waiting at the entrance of the Cango Cave in Oudtshoorn on Wednesday for a tour inside these two million plus year old limestone chambers. (Oct. 17, 2018)
That’s me, at least my silhouette, inside the Cango Cave in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)
Inside the Cango Cave in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)
Inside the Cango Cave in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)
Inside the Cango Cave in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)
Our Kleinplaas campsite in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. A small campsite with a great staff and truthfully the best facilities of any of the campsites we stayed at. (Oct. 17, 2018)
Okay, showing off toilets isn’t exactly glamorous but the toilet and shower facilities at Kleinplaas in Oudtshoorn were just exceptional. (Oct. 17, 2018)
The shower stalls, with hot water, at Kleinplaas in Oudtshoorn, South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)
The rock and pottery design at the entrance of our Kleinplaas campsite in Oudtshoorn, the Western Cape of South Africa. (Oct. 17, 2018)
I’ve discovered the South African liquor of Amarula and I love it. Enjoying the cool evening air at our Kleinplaas campsite Wednesday night in Oudtshoorn, the Western Cape of South Africa. Thanks Helen for the photo. (Oct. 17, 2018)
The wheat fields and mountain range on our way to Swellendam and Capricorn Park in South Africa. The beautiful and varied landscapes of South Africa were an absolute joy to take in. (Oct. 18, 2018)
The drive Thursday to this camp site so those who wanted to go white water river rafting could…but it just turned out to be paddling a canoe Felix Unite River Adventures in Swellendam’s Capricorn Park along the Orange River…is an absolutely remote place only accessible through winding dirt roads. (Oct. 18, 2018)
The drive Thursday to this camp site so those who wanted to go white water river rafting could…but it just turned out to be paddling a canoe Felix Unite River Adventures in Swellendam’s Capricorn Park along the Orange River…is an absolutely remote place only accessible through winding dirt roads. (Oct. 19, 2018)
My chalet, or wooden tent that I didn’t have to put up or take down Thursday at Swellendam’s Capricorn Park run by Felix Unite River Adventures in South Africa. (Oct. 18, 2018)
Inside my chalet at Swellendam’s Capricorn Park run by Felix Unite River Adventures in South Africa. (Oct. 18, 2018)
The Orange River views at Swellendam’s Capricorn Park run by Felix Unite River Adventures in South Africa. (Oct. 18, 2018)
Our Thursday night camp fire dinner at Swellendam’s Capricorn Park run by the Felix Unite River Adventures in South Africa. This was our last Meshack camp fire production dinner and he did not disappoint. From left: Gunnar, Alexis, Helen, Nick and Praveeta. (Oct. 18, 2018)
Our Thursday night campsite dinner spread at Swellendam’s Capricorn Park run by the Felix Unite River Adventures in South Africa. (Oct. 18, 2018)
There’s a little presto-change-o going on with this panoramic group photo. In order for all of us to be in the photo, Ray and Angela had to do some camera and seat changing. But here we are, around the campsite, at Swellendam’s Capricorn Park run by the Felix Unite River Adventures in South Africa, enjoying our last meal made by Meshack on Thursday night. (Oct. 18, 2018)
Our Thursday night campfire dinner menu included sausage, which I did not get, steak, potatoes and a delicious salad. Thanks Meshack for the delicious dinners and breakfasts throughout this trip. (Oct. 18, 2018)
Friday morning we touched down on Cape Agulhas considered the southernmost point of the African Continent and the boundary between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. (Oct. 19, 2018)
The winery landscape in Hermanus, South Africa. (Oct. 19, 2018)
A group selfie Friday afternoon at the Domaine des Dieux wine tasting in Hermanus, South Africa. The place is so accurately dubbed “Place of the Gods.” (Oct. 19, 2018)
Me, enjoying the breathtaking views of the Domaine des Dieux winery in Hermanus, South Africa. An absolutely gorgeous place to spend the day with good company, good wine and obviously a more than adequate scenery. This vision of a landscape is dubbed “Place of the Gods.” (Oct. 19, 2018)
Our group had a late lunch and another wine tasting, after our first wine tasting…here at the Spookfontein Winery and Restaurant in Hermanus, South Africa, and the glorious wine-scape. (Oct. 19, 2018)
This wonderful sign greeting wine guests at the Spookfontein Winery and Restaurant in Hermanus, South Africa. (Oct. 19, 2018)
This morning…after taking down our tents, here we are, the entire Intrepid team, enjoying our last campsite breakfast together at the Onrus Caravan Park in Hermanus, South Africa, before making our way and parting ways in Cape Town. From left standing: Meshak, Ian, Helen, Kate, Goodman, Gunnar and Dominic. Sitting from left: Angela, Ray, Nick, Praveeta and Alexis. And, of course, that’s me, taking the group selfie. Thanks for the memories! (Oct. 20, 2018)