Cape Town fires still raging
South African fire fighters tackling a blaze that has been spreading up Table Mountain in Cape Town for more than 48 hours say it could take several more days to completely extinguish the flames.
Several homes and a holiday lodge, the five-star Tintswalso Atlantic, have been destroyed by the wild fires, which officials say are the worst in the region for many years.
However, TravelMole has spoken to British tourists in Cape Town, who say they have barely been affected by the fires, which are on the south peninsula. Worst affected areas are Hout Bay, Tokai and Fish Hoek.
Laura D’Alessio, a holidaymaker from London who arrived in Cape Town at the weekend, said there was a whiff of smoke in the air in the city last night, and this morning the sky was ‘hazy’, but other than that she had not been affected by the fires.
"I’m staying at Sea Point in Cape Town and it’s fine, but on the other side of the mountain range, in Muizenberg , which is famous with surfers, there are fires.
"They had to close Chapman’s Peak drive as precaution and they might have to alter the route of the world famous Cape Town cycle race this Sunday as usually it goes across the peak.
"I’ve had to alter my plans slightly because I was planning to take the train to Muizenberg and Kalk Bay yesterday until I read about the fires on a friend’s Facebook page, but no matter, there’s still plenty to do in the city."
The City of Cape Town said 97 city firefighters, 28 firefighting vehicles, 18 support vehicles, four helicopters, two fixed-wing aircraft from Working on Fire, a spotter plane, and 50 Working on Fire ground crew were fighting the blaze.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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