Meeting the Crew & Kicking Things Off
Fantasy South Africa RV Safari #2
After three absolutely wonderful, fun-filled days with our friend, it was time to meet up with the rest of our RV crew. The tour officially kicks off in Cape Town, so we lucked out with a couple more nights in a comfy hotel before camper life begins. Not a bad way to ease into adventure!
We kicked things off with the optional city history walking tour — which turned out to be a great way to meet more of our fellow travelers. Nothing like a little sightseeing to break the ice! We learned a ton about Cape Town’s history, stepped inside two beautiful old churches, and wandered through the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Bo-Kaap is famous for its bright, candy-colored houses and cobblestone streets. It’s actually the oldest surviving residential neighborhood in Cape Town and has the largest collection of pre-1850 architecture in all of South Africa. Walking through it felt like stepping into a postcard.
Bo-Kaap
One of the sweetest surprises? A local vendor invited us to watch her cook and treated us to a koeksister — a traditional South African sweet that’s kind of like a donut, but braided, syrupy, and spiced just a little differently. Sticky fingers, happy hearts!
That afternoon, the tour officially began with orientation. We were handed packets, maps, and name tags — all the “this is really happening” essentials. We also met our WagonMasters (aka fearless leaders), Nick and Kay, a wonderful couple who instantly made us feel like we were in great hands.
my name tag
After a solid night’s sleep, we were ready for two full days exploring the Cape Town area. First up was a scenic bus ride down to the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point. The views along the way were absolutely stunning — dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, the whole postcard-perfect scene. Sadly, the funicular wasn’t running that day, so no easy ride to the top. But honestly, the views were still incredible, and of course we made time to browse the gift shops.
Us at the Cape of Good Hope
Next, we headed to the African Penguin Colony at Boulders Beach — a sandy, rocky stretch with boardwalks that let you get surprisingly close to the penguins. They were adorable… but not exactly energetic. Most of them seemed perfectly content to nap in the wind. It was a blustery day, and I’m pretty sure they were doing the same thing we were — trying to keep the sand out of their eyes!
African Penguins
On our second day in the Cape Town area, we hopped on a ferry out to Robben Island — the prison island where Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years behind bars. It’s one thing to read about it in history books… it’s another to actually stand there.
The tour started with a bus ride around the island. Our guide shared not only the history of the prison but also personal stories about her own family. Her grandfather had been imprisoned during apartheid, and she showed us his “pass book,” also called a dompas. Black South Africans were required to carry these internal passports at all times, and not having the proper permissions stamped inside could mean arrest, fines, or worse — which is exactly what happened to her grandfather. Seeing that little book made history feel very real. She even told us a short story in her native language, Xhosa. It’s filled with click sounds and tones that completely amazed us. Beautiful to listen to… but I can’t imagine trying to learn it!
a page from a “pass book”
After the bus portion, we continued on foot with another guide — a former political prisoner who had been held there in the late ’80s and early ’90s and was released when the prison closed. Hearing his firsthand account was both heartbreaking and eye-opening. He explained how prisoners were treated differently based on race — even down to the clothes they wore and the food they were given.
The most powerful moment was quietly peeking into the tiny cell where Nelson Mandela spent his days. Small. Simple. Sobering.
After a quick ferry ride back to the waterfront, we treated ourselves to another delicious lunch. The rest of the afternoon was free time — a little souvenir shopping, then back to the hotel to rest and pack. Camper pickup was the next day, and our safari-on-wheels adventure was about to begin!
