One of the things that really surprised me about Cape Town was Table Mountain. Not specifically the mountain itself, it is as majestic in reality as it looks in photos. The thing I wasn’t expecting was for it to be shrouded in cloud most of the time.

For our first two days in Cape Town we didn’t see the top of the mountain at all. Due to meteorological conditions around the mountain, even when there is the bluest and clearest of days in the city, Table Mountain can be covered with thick cloud, known as the tablecloth.

“Thankfully our plan paid off!”

Rich and I were really keen to see Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain but we soon realised that this might not be possible given the pesky cloud! Our initial intention was to walk up however within a two hour window the weather conditions at the top can change considerably. Therefore we bought two tickets in advance for the cable car, in anticipation of having one clear day when we would then be able to go straight up to the top and get a cloud free panoramic view of the city.

Thankfully our plan paid off! We could see the top of Table Mountain from our backpackers and as soon as the morning came when we saw it was cloud free, we headed up to the cable car. Even with our tickets already in hand, we had to queue for an hour to reach it but then it was only a five minute journey to the top of the mountain.

“The weather quickly changed from glorious sunshine to wet, cold and windy.”

We were thrilled when we got to the top, we had clear views across Cape Town. With the peak of Lions Head to the left of us, Robben Island straight ahead off the coast, the city below us and mountains in the distance to our right, we just sat and soaked in the view.

Picturesque views from the top of Table Mountain

Heading up Table Mountain in the cable car

Posing on the viewing platform

Rich towering over Cape Town

There were a few flowers on top of the mountain

The cloud is coming!

Sonia sat taking in the views

We had only been on the mountain top for fifteen minutes before we started to see the cloud coming in quickly behind us. The weather quickly changed from glorious sunshine to wet, cold and windy.

We pushed on with our walk around the top, eventually the raincoats were put on to protect us from the cold wind more than anything else. After a spot of lunch and no sign of the cloud disappearing we then queued up for the cable car ride back down. After waiting twenty minutes in the cold wind and cloud we heard the siren sound, which meant that strong winds were incoming and everyone should make their way off the mountain. By the time we made it to the front of the queue the announcement came that Table Mountain cable car was closed so we were very thankful to be in the next cable car down, that was for sure!

“The worst thing for me was making sure I didn’t look down!”

After taking the easy route up to the top of Table Mountain, we opted to hike up to the top of Lions Head the next day. We set off early to avoid the heat of the afternoon as much as possible and we were glad we did. The walk up Lions Head wasn’t too bad, the path wasn’t very wide at times and with the cliff side plunging down to one side, the worst thing for me was making sure I didn’t look down!

There was a bit of a scramble up rocks to get to the summit but once at the top the views were amazing. It was great to see the city with Table Mountain beside it. Unbelievably Table Mountain was completely cloud free the entire time we were up Lions Head so we made sure we took some photos of the mountain view.

At the start of Lions Head hiking trail

Rich enjoying the Lions Head hiking trail

Scrambling up the rocks to the top of Lions Head

Nearly at the top of Lions Head

Posing in front of Table Mountain

Tired legs from the hike to the top of Lions Head

View of Camps Bay from Lions Head

Rich and Table Mountain

Sonia walking round Lions Head with Table Mountain in the background

Rich heading back down the trail

The journey back down Lions Head was harder than the walk up for me. Scrambling down rocks is certainly not my favourite thing to do but I’m glad we did it, the view from Lions Head was worth all the effort.

After an active morning we headed to Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in the afternoon. Strolling around fragrant gardens, tree top canopy trails and relaxing in the shadow of Table Mountain. The magnificent mountain being the back drop for everything we did in Cape Town.

Sonia relaxing on the lawn with Table Mountain in the background

Footpath through the gardens

Flowers in front of Table Mountain

Flower framed view of Cape Town in the distance

Rich utilising a tree for pull ups

Rich in the nature gym!

For our last full day in Cape Town we headed to Camps Bay. A beautiful beach town where the beachfront is lined with restaurants and bars. We met up with Vanessa and Linden for lunch, told them of our adventures in their home town and enjoyed great food and drinks as the waves rolled in to the beach. It was a perfect afternoon and one that made Cape Town feel a bit like home having met up with friends for lunch. Rich also found his new favourite cocktail, a chilli mojito!

And then it happened, the day arrived when we had to leave South Africa. Rich was thrilled that we were the first in line for check in, we were in fact so early that we had to wait for the check in desks to open! Being early had one perk though, we had enough time to enjoy a final cocktail in South Africa. As we sipped on our Moscow Mule’s we were both sad at the thought of leaving and excited about the next leg of our journey.

Rich happy being first in line at the check in desks

Sonia happy drinking her Moscow Mule

Rich’s sad face about leaving South Africa

Farewell South Africa, Australia here we come!