Cape Point Nature Reserve

Description

Cape Point is found at the southernmost tip of the Cape Peninsula, just over an hour from the Cape Town CBD. Many Capetonians will tell you that this is the point where the cold waters of the Atlantic and the warm waters of the Indian Oceans meet, when truthfully this happens eastward at Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa. The waters that meet at Cape Point do, however, display visible differences in character and sometimes even colour.

The 7,750 hectare Cape Point Reserve (a primary feature of the Table Mountain National Park) is filled with stunning untouched beaches, a flurry of fynbos (a floral kingdom unique to the Western Cape with 1100 species of indigenous plants), and spectacular hikes spotted with fantastic viewpoints and shipwreck along the 40km coastline. The reserve has also become well-known for its cheeky baboons, Diaz cross, and the beautiful lighthouse built in 1857. The cliffs at the southern point tower more than 200m above sea level and consist of the Cape of Good Hope, Cape Maclear, and Cape Point.

When gazing over the cliff at the head of Cape Point, it isn't uncommon to see southern right whales, shoals of tuna or snoek, or dolphins and seals accompanied by the cries of seabird common to the area (including albatross, gannet and seagull). There is also a wealth of land animals like zebra, eland, dassies, water mongoose, and Cape clawless otter, as well as plenty of lizards, tortoise, and snakes.

The park is home to the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre, Two Oceans Restaurant and adjacent a takeaway kiosk, and several curio shops in the parking lot at Cape Point. If you prefer to bring your own lunch, there are several picnic and braai spots available in the park.

What to do

• Hike the Shipwreck Trail
• Ride the Flying Dutchman funicular
• Dine at the Two Oceans Restaurant
• Shop for curios
• Explore cultural and historical spots
• Visit monuments to explorers like Vasco da Gama and Bartolomeu Dias
• Swimming in the tidal pool sat Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay
• Picnicking and braaiing
• Whale, bird and game viewing
• Diving and angling
• Visiting the viewing site from the old lighthouse
• Exploring the Global Atmosphere Watch Station