Cape Point
Many visitors to Cape Town flock to Cape Point in the believe that it is the southern-most point of Africa. While we recommend a visit to scenic Cape Point very highly it is not actually the southern point of the continent but in fact the most south-westerly point. The southern-most point of the continent lies ±200km east and slightly south of Cape Point at Cape Agulhas. The latter is rather drab and unless you have some puristic quest to actually stand at the southern-most point of the continent (Cape Agulhas), rather head for Cape Point, which is going to provide you with a much more exciting and memorable experience.

Cape Point marks the point where the mountain range extending southwards from Table Mountain, some 60km away, eventually terminates in the Atlantic Ocean. The Point features steep cliffs and rough seas. It is extremely scenic. The best views are gained from the base of the lighthouse (1860) at the top of the ridge. From Cape Point's visitor's car park, you can either take a steepish path, with numerous stairways to the top, or the Flying Dutchman Funicular (small fee). From the top one has a great view over False Bay to the east and on a clear day you can see right across the Bay to Hangklip which marks the other end of the Bay approx. 30 km away. Towards the west you will look down onto Dias Beach (see below) and The Cape of Good Hope promontory.

A number of footpaths extend from Cape Point, mostly from the car park. We recommend the trail to Dias Beach and the Cape of Good Hope promontory. A visitors centre at Cape Point includes a memorabilia shop (Concor) and The Two Oceans Restaurant, which offers great views over False Bay. Public toilets are signposted from the parking lot.

Unless you have time to spend a day exploring the larger Reserve on foot and indulging in its other attractions, we recommend that you include a visit to Cape Point in a guided or self-drive day tour of the Cape Peninsula, which is what most visitors to Cape Town do. Africa Deluxe Tours normally includes such a day tour in our clients' itineraries or will do so on request.

Indian & Atlantic Ocean sides of Cape Point?
Many erroneously refer to the west and east sides of the Peninsula as the Atlantic and Indian Ocean sides. There's a lot of debate on the issue but the broad consensus is that geographically the division between the two oceans probably lies at the most southern point of Africa, Cape Agulhas (see above).

However, the waters on the two sides of Cape Point do differ markedly - not only in terms of temperature but also marine life. The reason for this is that Cape Point probably marks the approximate meeting point (longitude) between the Cold Benguela and Warm Mozambican Currents, which flows along the west and east coasts of Southern Africa, explaining the extremely rough and dangerous seas off Cape Point.

The two currents are also the main reason why Southern Africa's east coast is sub-tropical (less true in the Western Cape province), while the sub-continent's west coast is arid.

Dias Beach
This beach lies right at the most south-western point of Africa, tucked in between Cape Point to the east and the Cape of Good Hope promontory to the west - within the Cape of Good Hope Nature. While millions of people visit the Point annually most are in too much of a hurry to take the 10 minute footpath down to the beach. If your schedule allows it will make for a memorable excursion.

Other paths lead from the beach, amongst others a 2.8km trail to the Cape of Good Hope. It is a beautiful area with geographical significance as well. The one point of caution relates to the large baboon troops found in the reserve. You should never leave backpacks or picnic baskets unattended, as a baboon is bound to sneak over and grab something.

From the beach you'll see the old Cape Point lighthouse and the new lighthouse halfway down Cape Point. Dias Beach offers excellent surfing. For more information on beaches in the greater Cape Town area, click here.

Fauna & Flora

Wildlife
Being a nature reserve rather than a game reserve you should not expect to find the Big Five here, in fact there are no predators in the Reserve making it quite safe to wander around in demarcated areas. Due to sandy soils, the area is unable to sustain a number of large animals and those that are present are not easily seen.

Antelope: Eight species of antelope are present in the Reserve. They are Bontebok, Eland, Cape Grysbok, Red Hartebeest, Gray Rhebok, Steenbok and Gray Duiker. Klipspringer has been re-established recently after an absence of almost 70 years.

Mammals include Cape Mountain Zebra, Chacma Baboon, Rock Hyrax ("dassie"), Genet, Lynx, Striped Mouse, Cape Gray and Water Mongoose, and Cape Clawless Otter.

Birds. With its diverse habitats, ranging from rocky mountaintops to beaches and open sea, the Cape of Good Hope is home to more than 250 species of birds. Those on land include ostrich and raptors like the Rock Kestrel, Black-Shouldered Kite, Fish Eagle, Black Eagle, Spotted Eagle Owl and Jackal Buzzard.

When flowering proteas and ericas attract sunbirds, sugar-birds and other species in search of nectar. Black Oystercatchers, Kelp Gulls, Curlew Sandpipers, Whitefronted Plovers and Hautlaub's Gulls frequent Beaches and rocky shores.

Overseas visitors include migrant shorebirds from the northern hemisphere, Steppe Buzzards from Eastern Europe, and albatrosses and petrels from the sub-Antarctic region.

Marine Life
The area offers excellent vantage points for whale viewing in season, between late June and November. The Southern Right Whale is the species most likely to be seen. Others species are the Humpback Whale and Bryde's Whale. Seals and dolphins may also be seen and occur right through the year.

The strategic position of Cape of Good Hope between two major ocean currents ensures a rich diversity of marine life. There is a difference between the sea life west of Cape Point and that to the east due to the markedly differing sea temperatures mentioned above. Please note that disturbances or removal of any marine organisms is strictly prohibited in most parts of the park. In some areas recreational diving and angling activities are allowed though strictly regulated (should you be interested in this you'll need to obtain a permit).

Flora
The Cape of Good Hope is an integral part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest, but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. The kingdom comprises a treasure trove of indigenous plants, of which a number are endemic (occur naturally nowhere else on earth). Two types of fynbos (Afrikaans word meaning "fine bush"), coastal fynbos on alkaline sands and inland fynbos on acid soils, are found.

Characteristic fynbos plants include proteas, ericas (heath) and restios (reeds). Many popular horticultural plants like pelargoniums, freesias, daisies, lilies and irises, also have their origins in fynbos.

(Source: Some of the above information was adapted from the Table Mountain National Park website, see link below)