South Africa
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We added Cape Town and the surrounding
areas to our itinerary to bridge the gap
between the end of our tour of Namibia and
the start of our trip to Botswana. We knew that
the Cape had a fascinating history, a unique
plant kingdom, endemic bird species, a
beautiful coast, wineries, botanic gardens,
and more!! We were quite fortunate to find a
guide who helped us discover how truly
incredible the area is. Every day we explored
new habitats, saw new bird species, sampled
wine, cheese, chocolate or other fun foods,
marvelled at amazing plants, enjoyed
gorgeous scenery, and had a great time. The
days were so full that we didn't even get to
Cape Town's fabled waterfront until our last
morning.
Not too surprising there were plenty of photo
opportunities. This section will feature
images from our first morning - a visit to one
of the townships where black families were
relocated during the early days of apartheid
and then to the colorful Malay district.
areas to our itinerary to bridge the gap
between the end of our tour of Namibia and
the start of our trip to Botswana. We knew that
the Cape had a fascinating history, a unique
plant kingdom, endemic bird species, a
beautiful coast, wineries, botanic gardens,
and more!! We were quite fortunate to find a
guide who helped us discover how truly
incredible the area is. Every day we explored
new habitats, saw new bird species, sampled
wine, cheese, chocolate or other fun foods,
marvelled at amazing plants, enjoyed
gorgeous scenery, and had a great time. The
days were so full that we didn't even get to
Cape Town's fabled waterfront until our last
morning.
Not too surprising there were plenty of photo
opportunities. This section will feature
images from our first morning - a visit to one
of the townships where black families were
relocated during the early days of apartheid
and then to the colorful Malay district.
Women with their babies, The Township, Cape Town
Homes slated for replacement, The Township, Cape Town
Local "strip mall", The Township, Cape Town
On a mission, The Township, Cape Town
Innocence, The Township, Cape Town
Early Morning Beer call, The Township, Cape Town
Waiting for the Day, The Township, Cape Town
Colorful Homes in the Malay District, Cape Town
The Cape is home to the unique Fynbos plant kingdom with over 9000 species of plants, around 6200 of which are endemic.
The name fynbos is Afrikaans for fine bush and refers to the fine, needle-like leaves of many fynbos species. Three of the characteristic fynbos plant families
are the proteas, ericas, and restios. Proteas are represented by many species, generally with large striking flowers. Ericas or heaths are generally smaller
plants with many small, tubular flowers and needle-like leaves. Both of these families attract birds as pollinators. The grass-like restios, only a few species
of which are known outside the Cape, grow in wetter areas.
The name fynbos is Afrikaans for fine bush and refers to the fine, needle-like leaves of many fynbos species. Three of the characteristic fynbos plant families
are the proteas, ericas, and restios. Proteas are represented by many species, generally with large striking flowers. Ericas or heaths are generally smaller
plants with many small, tubular flowers and needle-like leaves. Both of these families attract birds as pollinators. The grass-like restios, only a few species
of which are known outside the Cape, grow in wetter areas.
Field of Ericas, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Close-up of Ericas, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Pink!!, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Double-Collared Sunbird admiring another Erica species,
Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens
Kirstenbosch Botanic Gardens
Red Disa orchids, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area
Protea, Harold Porter Botanic Reserve
Protea, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Bird of Paradise, Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden
Windswept, The Cape of Good Hope
The physical geography of the Cape is quite varied, featuring rocky shorelines, sandy beaches, mountains rising from the sea, mesas, mountain streams, and deep valleys.
This wide range of habitats helps explain the incredible diversity of plants and birds.
This wide range of habitats helps explain the incredible diversity of plants and birds.
Rooiels
Rooiels
Rooiels
Ostriches at the Shore, Cape of Good Hope
Rooibos-colored stream, Karoo National Botanic Gardens
Rooibos-colored stream, Karoo National Botanic Gardens
