Cape Point aerial, Cape Town
©South African Tourism
Okay, so it’s not the place where the Atlantic meets the Indian
Ocean and neither is it the southernmost point of Africa. Nevertheless
it is far more spectacular and a lot more accessible than the actual
tip at Cape Agulhas. It's also one of the most visited attractions in Cape Town.
Sir
Frances Drake, the first circumnavigator to complete a voyage aound the world, described
it as ' the fairest cape we saw in the whole circumference of the
earth.' Enormous sea cliffs tower above the battering ocean, whipped by
fierce winds that whisk hats from view-bedazzled tourists. On the west
side the shore is littered with shipwrecks, testimony to the notoriously treacherous waters around here. There's so much to see and do, the beaches are fabulous and one can easily spend a whole day here.
African Chacma Baboons behaving themselves
©South African Tourism
Most visitors to Cape Point venture up a steep path to the Old lighthouse
built in 1860, which was too often hidden in clouds so a newer one was
built in 1914. Perched further down the cliffs, it’s the most powerful
lighthouse in South Africa.
At the car park there’s a reputable restaurant
with great big windows which take in the awesome views and dizzying
drop below. Here one can retreat from the wind and have a bite to eat
with no danger of baboons snatching your scoff.
For those not keen on an energetic walk there’s a funicular that runs to the top and a curio shop.
There are loads of waymarked paths for strolls and longer walks. The shortest is just a 15 minute amble through choice fynbos to the Smitswinkel viewpoint. A great coastal walk is the Shipwreck trail starting at Olifantsbos on the western side of the reserve. The two day Cape of Good Hope Trail is a fabulous hike and way to experience the fauna and flora of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Cape Point is also the culmination of the exciting multi-day slackpacking Hoerikwaggo Trail which starts in Cape Town city and ambles across Table Mountain. On the eastern side at Bordjiesdrif and Buffels Bay are safe tidal pools for swimming , as well as picnic and braai spots.
Rare bontebok, Cape Point
©South African Tourism
The most popular route to cycle
is from the main gate down to Cape Point, run by a few commercial
companies who even provide bikes. Whatever mode you choose to get
around in, keep an eye open for animals
living in the reserve, ranging from tortoises crossing the road to
ostriches striding along the beach. One can spot various Cape antelope
species like the endemic bontebok rescued from extinction in the last
century and the extremely rare Cape mountain zebras. Birders
will thrill at the sight of peregrine falcons plummeting down from the
cliff tops, African black oystercatchers hopping about the rocky shore,
ocean birds soaring about and sunbirds flitting amoungst the fynbos.
Surfers have lots of breaks
to choose from although the eastern side needs the huge winter swells
to wrap around the Point before it gets surfable. Hardcore paddlers, divers and fishermen alike frequent the reserve to gratify their aquatic addictions.
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