South Africa – Langebaan part 1

by Kerry · 23 February 2026

1st February to 14th February 2026

A kite instructor we met while in Portugal spoke very enthusiastically about this place. February, he insisted, is when you need to be there. So just like that, it went into the plan.

Just north of Cape Town on Africa’s south West Coast lies a massive, turquoise, saltwater lagoon on the edge of a little place called Langebaan.

We have arrived towards the end of the summer season to flat water and consistent winds. This is what makes it one of the foremost kitesurfing spots in the world.

Borderd on one side by a protected coastal wildlife park

and a couple of islands to navigate in the middle, it has ample parking so you can rock up, get your wetsuit on, and head out.

Our fabulous apartment, with a garden and pool, is just a 10 minute walk from the beach.

” I only take you to the best places”, Paul says to me, with a smile. It sure is lovely here.

2 days after arriving it just happened to be my birthday, but there was very little wind, so we drove along the coast to check out Shark Bay, also a good kitesurfing spot.

I thought Woolies had gone under – in SA however, it is an upmarket food store!

Queens Cottage is a local smokehouse – we had Porterhouse steak – a first for both of us.

Plus bottle of wine or two made for a fab evening.

Our clothes smelt of smoke but the food was great 👍 👌 😋

The African sky seems to go on forever, so a double rainbow and fiery sunset paint a glorious picture.

Langebaan main beach is our go to – but we’re too busy shredding the water to take pics!

This bay is cold enough for a full wetsuit, with a choppy and challenging 8 knot tidal current down the centre.

Usually a bustling hub of activity especially around 5pm, we tend to get there a couple of hours before.

Thali Thali Wildlife Reserve is a nearby privately-owned nature reserve offering 2 hour game drives.

The Springbok are so well camouflaged against the dry fynbos (fine-leaved scrubland).

Big daddy Buffalo loves the hay which is provided during the long hot summer when green vegetation is scarce.

Camels are not native to the area

The Wildebeest were too wary to approach, and the Camels were just not interested on this day – I don’t blame them…

More Springboks

Young solo male buffalo

The way to to tell how old the male buffalo are is by the amount of hair growing between the horns. Some hair – young, no hair – old. Hmm, sounds familiar 🤔

The Giraffe look so gorgeous and friendly and gentle…

but apparently 2 of the male giraffe killed a male Camel that was showing too much interest in a female giraffe!!

It really is amazing to be so close to these giant animals.

They weren’t very sure about Pauls bright blue T-shirt 💙

Some Eland and a black Springbok looking on nervously.

The Zebra had no qualms about joining us for hay.

Our guide informed us that Zebra were dark grey with white stripes, and not the other way around. Though some of their fur appeared brown, this was due to rolling around in the sand – and why not!!

This mother and baby were so cute 😍

Adding in an afternoon of kitesurfing makes for a perfect day 👌

We are lucky to have somewhere to hang our gear out to dry.

Stunning sunset followed by hours long thunderstorm – so tired, need sleep.

We began our two-night Cape Town side-holiday on Feb 9th by tackling the high-stepping 2-hour hike up Platteklip Gorge to the iconic Table Mountain.

These are not steps as we might expect them in the UK, but boulders placed as if they have just fallen there down the ravine.

Quite steep for my little legs, but a great workout! 😄

The mist keeps rolling in

nearly at the top…

We made it to the top in 1 hour 30 mins – not bad for a couple of old folk 😅

The panoramic view of Cape Town below and the rest of the mountain range is magnificent from this summit.

We found them sunbathing on a ledge, ahh…

Climb back down again…? Er I think not – there’s a nice spinning cable car for that.

After a swanky dinner of chateaubriand at a local Cattle Baron and a good nights sleep at the excellent and very competitively priced airbnb we were all set for the next days adventures.

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in the heart of Cape Town was a must for me.

First stop – breakfast!

Paul had a fry up with Kudu bacon, I had Bobotie. Mm mm mm 😋 Bobotie is a baked spiced mince dish with an egg topping – sweet, spicy and tangy.

This Sunbird whizzed past our heads and landed in among the heather (ericas).

Table mountain ever present in the background.

apparently misclassified – not a chestnut.

Twisted Yellow Wood tree – In spring the Fireball Lilly carpets the area with it bright orange/red flower heads.

beautiful plants big and small

Dinosaur in among the tree ferns (cycads).

King Proteas – the national flower of South Africa

Hadeda Ibis pecking in the undergrowth

but not a foxglove

Aromatic beauty I have in my garden at home

but gardenias are also elephant food… who knew!

We were so excited to go to the famous Blouberg beach in Cape Town, world renowned for big waves and strong winds (known as the Cape Doctor).

Paul had kited here before years ago, but it would be the first time for me.

I’m not going to lie, the ocean definitely won the first few rounds, leaving me crashing in the white capped surf while trying to make it out.

Paul had a quick ride out, but as the wind escalated from fun to howling, he decided he wasn’t keen on fighting our smallest 7m kite in those conditions.

We packed it in, deciding to save it for the next day.

Pacalolas beach bar, where all the pro kiters go when in town. “Did you get out?”, the barman asked when I ordered my cider.

I should have ordered the Raspberry Vodka Iced Tea on tap – where am I going to see that again!?!

Then on to Jerry’s Burger bar – a sophisticated New York style bar with huge portions. Great burger, but I was too full to eat my chips.

This is 8pm and there’s still some very keen kiters on the water.

Checking out of our air bnb the next morning we made use of the Hop on Hop off bus for a quick city tour.

Back to Blouberg beach after lunch for another go.

Different day, different wind.

The wind was slightly lighter than the day before, and we arrived earlier in the day. But it was also blowing 90 degrees to the shore, which is not a favourite for locals.

Paul on the 12m

Paul loves tearing up the surf

Yeay, done it! 😁

Checking out Big Bay – the next kitesufing spot

I had a late snack of curried liver at Mozambik

Big Bay was very nice – its known to have slightly less intense wind due to being angled – has a smaller wave area due to a rocky bank – and has a nice selection of eateries beach-side. What’s not to like 👍