Agulhas National Park

Description

Agulhas National Park lies at the southernmost tip of Africa, in the legendary 'Cape of Storms' where many ships were wrecked on the rugged shoreline en route to the east. The park embodies the spirit and adventure of explorers who braved the mysterious and challenging Atlantic-Indian Ocean crossing via Cape Agulhas.

The windswept coastal plain is captivating in its rich natural and cultural heritage. This tip of the African continent was once home to ancient Khoisan people. A walk along the coastline will reveal remains of their ancient stone fish traps and archaeological middens that remind us of a successful hunter-gathering culture that was in harmony with its natural environment.

Proclaimed in 1999, the Agulhas National Park began as a 4 hectare portion of land at the southern tip. Over the years, 36 portions of land have been added, bringing the area of the park to 20,959 hectares. The park may not have modern facilities like restaurants, pubs, shops, and banks (those are available in the nearby towns of L’Agulhas, Struisbaai or Bredasdorp), but its secluded location makes it excellent for hiking and bird watching, especially at the salt pans and wetlands where you can spot the endangered African Black Oyster-catcher.

Activities in the park or surrounding towns:

• Visit the southernmost tip of Africa - A cairn marks the exact location of Africa’s southernmost tip. It is at this point that the Atlantic and Indian Oceans officially meet.

• Cape Agulhas Lighthouse and Museum - 71 steps lead to the top of the second oldest working lighthouse in southern Africa, which also houses a unique lighthouse museum.

• Shipwrecks: The Zoetendal, Birkenhead, and Armiston are some of the many shipwrecks along the Agulhas coastline. Showpieces from these shipwrecks are on display at the Bredasdorp Shipwreck museum. Visitors can see the remains of the Meisho Maru 38 wreck on the shores of Cape Agulhas.

• Fishing: Rock and deep sea fishing permits can be purchased from the Struisbaai Post Office.

• Fynbos Walk: Explore the Agulhas Plain with its great diversity of indigenous flora and unique vegetation such as limestone fynbos.

• Rasperpunt, Spookdraai, and Shipwreck hiking trails

• Cape Agulhas Wine Route

• Napier Breweries

• 4x4 Trails

• Whale Watching (June to September)

• Swimming

• Art Galleries