Explore and Experience the Cape with Villa10 on Hugo.

CAPE WILDLIFE

Africa is known for its 'Big 5', none of which occur anywhere near Cape Town.

For a wildlife experience near Cape Town a drive of up to 2 hours, will take you to a number of game farms and other places worth a visit: - Aquila Game Farm
- Fairy Glen Game Farm
- Lion Park at Drakenstein
- Crock Farm near Paarl
- Cheetahs at Spier Wine Estate
- Buffelsfontein Game Reserve

and others like Clara Anna Fontein, only 5 minutes from Villa10


A long time ago, some now extinct species were found and named here, like the Cape Lion and Cape Zebra. Other varieties, very much alive and well, and very different form what you may expect, can still be seen around the Cape: From the sea With the ocean playing such a dominating role in our lives, it is only right to start our list with these sometimes ignored beauties. Whales are seasonal visitors (from about June to November) and can be seen regularly all along our coast. There are some bays which provide better viewing possibilities. Great whites can be seen from diving cages, or if you are lucky, while breaching. For those not as adventurous, there is an Aquarium at the V & A Waterfront. Mammals Every visitor to Table Mountain, or in fact numerous other rocky locations, will excitedly tell you about the Dassie, a close genetic relation to the Elephant. The Chacma Baboon troops on the Cape peninsula are the only protected population of this species in Africa. They subsist on fruits, roots, bulbs, honey, insects and scorpions. During the low tide they may be seen roaming the beaches, feeding on sand hoppers and shellfish, behavior believed to be unlikely in primates. Please be aware that baboons are dangerous and are not to be fed. Other local residents include, amongst other, the Bontebok Tortoises The slowest of our local wildlife and definitely worth watching are tortoises. Look out for the Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata) and the Parrot-beaked Tortoise (Homopus areolatus). - You should have no problem to spot them in the Durbanville Nature Reserve. - Perhaps not as easy to find but definitely also on Table Mountain. Lizards and Snakes The Table Mountain National Park is home to around 22 snakes, 10 of which are non-venomous - five of which are deadly namely the Cape Cobra, Puff Adder, Boomslang, Rinkhals and Berg Adder. The good news is it they are mostly shy and will avoid human contact. The one you are most likely to see while traveling on back roads is the Cape Cobra and on the mountain is the Puff Adder. The most common lizard around, specially on Table Mountain, are the Southern Rock Agama, males identifiable by a bright blue head during mating season; the Black Girdled Lizard, all black and definitely prehistoric in looks and the Cape Skink, which you will also see in the garden of *Villa10*. And be on the lookout for the Cape Chameleon.

A long time ago, some now extinct species were found and named here, like the Cape Lion and Cape Zebra.

Other varieties, very much alive and well, and very different form what you may expect, can still be seen around the Cape:

From the sea
With the ocean playing such a dominating role in our lives, it is only right to start our list with these sometimes ignored beauties.

Whales are seasonal visitors (from about June to November) and can be seen regularly all along our coast. There are some bays which provide better viewing possibilities.

Great whites can be seen from diving cages, or if you are lucky, while breaching.

For those not as adventurous, there is an Aquarium at the V & A Waterfront.

Mammals
Every visitor to Table Mountain, or in fact numerous other rocky locations, will excitedly tell you about the Dassie, a close genetic relation to the Elephant.

The Chacma Baboon troops on the Cape peninsula are the only protected population of this species in Africa. They subsist on fruits, roots, bulbs, honey, insects and scorpions. During the low tide they may be seen roaming the beaches, feeding on sand hoppers and shellfish, behavior believed to be unlikely in primates.
Please be aware that baboons are dangerous and are not to be fed.

Other local residents include, amongst other, the Bontebok

Tortoises
The slowest of our local wildlife and definitely worth watching are tortoises. Look out for the Angulate Tortoise (Chersina angulata) and the Parrot-beaked Tortoise (Homopus areolatus). - You should have no problem to spot them in the Durbanville Nature Reserve. - Perhaps not as easy to find but definitely also on Table Mountain.

Lizards and Snakes
The Table Mountain National Park is home to around 22 snakes, 10 of which are non-venomous - five of which are deadly namely the Cape Cobra, Puff Adder, Boomslang, Rinkhals and Berg Adder. The good news is it they are mostly shy and will avoid human contact. The one you are most likely to see while traveling on back roads is the Cape Cobra and on the mountain is the Puff Adder.

The most common lizard around, specially on Table Mountain, are the Southern Rock Agama, males identifiable by a bright blue head during mating season; the Black Girdled Lizard, all black and definitely prehistoric in looks and the Cape Skink, which you will also see in the garden of Villa10.

And be on the lookout for the Cape Chameleon.

Feel free to ask for details on when and where you have the best chance to experience our wildlife.