Cape by Design Tours

Ostriches Can Swallow Stones

2011-11-13T10:07:00.001-08:00

Ostriches have incredibly elastic necks so they can swallow stones. Ricardo is demonstrating this at Safari Ostrich Farm in Oudtshoorn by pulling forward the gullet of Sakkie, the kissable flightless wonder bird. Eating stones helps them digest their food which is mostly lucern pellets but can sometimes include interesting items like nuts, bolts and pieces of plastic.
Ostriches are truly fascinating creatures!

GREAT WHITE SHARKS ARE PLENTIFUL IN FALSE BAY CAPE TOWN

2011-10-07T06:13:00.000-07:00

But they do not prey on humans. They sample bite .

The recent Shark attack in Fish Hoek in which a swimmer losthis leg, has highlighted the need to observe the rules and in so doing,remain safe.

The gentleman who was bitten did NOT follow the rules. Heignored all the warning systems and swam in the sea. No one else wasswimming in the sea at the time and no one else got bitten.

Our Shark Spotters are doing a great job. If you’re coming tothe Cape on holiday, enjoy our beaches and seas. Follow the rules, sothese beautiful creatures do not get more bad press!

It's Nice ne in Knysna

2011-10-06T06:59:00.000-07:00

A trip to Featherbed Nature Reserve on the Knysna Lagoon is always great; stunning views, beautiful nature, a breathtaking hike and a delicious lunch under milkwood trees.

Many a boat has gone down in the treacherous Heads, but this catamaran did not venture that far, instead rocked on the Featherbed...

Cape Town Summer is around the corner

2011-09-11T06:04:00.000-07:00

The whales are here and the Proteas are in full blossom. Glorious weather for being outdoors!
We are already welcoming many visitors to our shores!

Cape Town is Really safe for Women Travellers

2011-09-02T01:04:00.001-07:00

Cape Town is a really safe place for women to travel around in. In fact, it’s a gal- friendly city. A good tip for accommodation is to stay in one of the many wonderful Guest houses and B and B’s we have all around the Peninsula. There’s a friendly family atmosphere and it’s often more cost- effective than staying in a hotel.(Or you can stay in my cottage, on my family property..very safe)Join one of the many tour operators who have daily tours around Cape Town and the Winelands. Cape Town Tourism have a walking tour of the City every day that you can join. At night you have to take a little more care, just like in any other big city.Your best bet, ask the LOCALS (like ME…born and bred Capetonian..tour guide for 10 years). Their knowledge is always the most valuable.Want to know more?? Email me for plenty tips..info@tours-capetown.co.za .

Kalahari Safari

2011-07-17T05:48:00.000-07:00

We offer a safari experience with a big difference to the semi-arid northern regions of South Africa. It used to be called the Kalahari Gemsbok Park because these magnificent creatures abound.

As the area consists mostly of dry river beds covered in grass, it is open and the game is easy to see when animals come to drink at the water holes.
On a recent tour there, we had wonderful cat sightings, especially of cheetah. These endangered creatures love the open spaces as it is easier for them to hunt there. We were lucky enough to see a cheetah mum with 4 cubs making a hunting attempt. We also enjoyed daily visits to a hyena den where 2 pups, 3 adults and a juvenile were living. There were lions, including a mating pair and plenty of jackals who seem to be active day and night.
At the very end, just as we were about to leave the Park, we saw a leopard mum with 2 cubs, playing in and around an Acacia tree. That was something special!

Accommodation in the Wilderness Camps is in very roomy safari tents built on a deck with great views over the river bed, the trekking route of all the game in the park.

Ask about this tour, it is something so worthwhile and unique.

Xhosa Women delight in Traditional Dress

2011-07-04T02:58:00.000-07:00

On a recent township tour, we were entertained by a group of wonderful Xhosa women, in the traditional dress of their culture. They sang and danced for us. They are highly respected elders in their society, whose duty it is to hand down stories in the oral tradition which will be lost without the likes of them.
They have taken much pride in making their colourful traditional costumes. Especially lovely is the beautiful embroidered beadwork.

One of Cape Town's Most Interesting Ship Wrecks

2011-07-02T03:46:00.000-07:00

Not far off the well beaten tourist track in the Cape Point National Park, is an easy and picturesque walk to the wreck of the SS Thomas T Tucker. The American Liberty ship, ran aground in thick fog in 1942, while hugging the coastline and trying to avoid the German U boats patrolling the South African coast.
I undertook this walk with a group of American tourists who wanted to see some of the many ship wrecks that lie around the Cape Peninsula.To get to the wreck, we enjoyed a tranquil walk through fynbos, along a deserted beach to see her interesting rusted hulk still relatively well preserved.

Leafless Veld Flower

2011-05-09T03:53:00.000-07:00

An unusual flower blooming near Cape Town at the moment, the April Fool. It has no leaves and is inviting insects to come and pollinate it in the Autumn so that it does not have to compete with lots of other plants in the spring.
It's vibrant red colour stands out strongly in its sandy surroundings, these lovely flowers we saw in Hermanus.

Climbing a Lighthouse

2011-05-09T03:37:00.000-07:00

We went on a tour of shipwrecks and lighthouses in Cape Town, including this one, Slangkop in Kommetjie, our tallest lighthouse. It is on the way to Cape Point and well worth a visit. It is one of the few "manned" or "personed" light houses in the world and Peter the lighthouse keeper will allow you on a tour. We were lucky enough to go inside and climb the many flights of steps, right to the top.From there are stunning views of Hout Bay and the back of Table Mountain. Well worth a visit!

Hiking in Hout Bay

2011-03-08T06:12:00.000-08:00

We have done some stunning hikes in Hout Bay, one of the most beautiful corners of the Cape Peninsula. Lovely views of the Sea and Mountains!
These pics are taken on a hike to the top of Chapmans Peak, way above the Drive!

Cape Malay Cookery Course

2010-11-07T03:02:00.000-08:00

Cape by Design Tours took some inquisitive tourist cooks to Zany's cozy kitchen at her home in Bo- Kaap, Cape Town, to learn the art of Cape Malay cuisine.

First we learned how to make and mix a Masala for different dishes and then we proceeded to cook.
For starters we made Chilli Bites or Dhaltjies, as they are known in the lingo. Made with pea flour, spices and some chopped fresh veggies like peppers and cucumber. We deep fried them and they came out plump and crispy, just delicious.
Not many South Africans know how to make Samoosas and we found out why...it's tricky. The art of making a Samoosa is not in the filling, but in folding the pastry into a triangle several times over. Then you deep fry it, till the pastry is golden brown. Crunchy on the outside, spicy and soft on the inside, wonderful!
By comparison the chicken curry and yellow rice was easy. When we savoured our tasty meal it was all the better for having helped create it.
Join Cape by Design Tours for one of our culinary home cooking experiences!

Elephants don't only do this in the movies, they do it right here in South Africa!

2010-11-04T03:47:00.000-07:00

Walking with Elephants

2010-11-04T03:38:00.000-07:00

Recently I visited an Elephant park near Knysna with some German tourists and we walked with the elphants, holding their trunk. We also had the chance to get up really close to them and touch and rub them. It was a remarkable experience for me, having often observed elephants in the wild and having a huge respect for them. Their skin is really rough but really sensitive at the same time.