Cape Point, Cape Agulhas South Africa

SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARIS, THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE AND CAPE POINT

There is a common misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the most southerly tip of Africa; in actual fact it is Cape Agulhas! The Cape of Good Hope was a very important landmark for sailors in the past – they used this area as a marker for navigational purposes. This South African area is also home to the legend of the ‘flying Dutchman’… legend states that there is a ghost ship that sails around this area with a crew of condemned sailors who are all doomed to sail the Cape of Good Hope for eternity. Some sailors even confirm this myth by talking about sightings especially in misty conditions.

The name ‘Cape of Good Hope’ was used to represent the Cape Colony that was established in 1652; nowadays the name is associated with the protected area that is part of the Table Mountain National Park.

The Cape of Good Hope area includes majestic sea-cliffs as well as breathtaking beaches. This part of the Table Mountain National Park is rife with fynbos, proteas, ericas, sugarbushes, daisies, lilies and irises to name a few. There are also over 250 species of birds including sugarbirds and sunbirds. The Cape of Good Hope furthermore has an interesting variety of animals such as; lizards, snakes, insects, tortoises, zebras, antelope, dassies, baboons, deer, cape clawless otters and more….and proves to be a fantastic vantage point for the ‘Southern Right’ whales, seals and dolphins as it is situated between 2 major oceans (Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean) creating a rich marine life habitat.

Cape Point is the south eastern ‘corner’ of the Cape Peninsula and is often described as a rocky mountain landform. Cape Point has two main mountainous peaks (above the Cape of Good Hope); one of these peaks is a popular tourist attraction as it boasts the old Cape Point lighthouse on the top of it. You can reach this lighthouse by a funicular which runs from the car park to the lighthouse, or alternatively you can walk up.

Both the Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope are situated in the Table Mountain National Park. Cape Point occupies the whole Southern tip of the Cape Peninsula and is an undeveloped and an unspoilt destination. Bring some time and take a walk (about 40 min one way) from Cape Point to the Cape of Good Hope – this way you will be able to experience the majestic views of the sea-cliffs and see the peninsula from a different angle.

Have a look at our South African safaris that include the Cape of Good Hope National Park and Cape Point below. There are also other South African attractions beneath that you might want to visit on your South African Safari.
 

• Kruger National Park
• Garden Route
• Cape Town
• Winelands
• KwaZulu-Natal
• Addo Elephant National Park
• Greater St Lucia
• Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park
• Overberg
• Pilanesberg National Park
• Ukhahlamba
• West Coast
• Aquila
• Table Mountain
• Cango Caves
• Drakensberg
• Gods Window
• Kapama Game Reserve
• Kirstenbosch
• Knysna
• Madikwe Game Reserve
• Pilgrims Rest
• Robben Island
• Soweto
• Sun City
• Karoo South Africa
• Wild Coast
• V&A Waterfront
• Johannesburg
• Gansbaai
• Tsitsikamma
• Valley of a 1000 Hills
• Inverdoorn
• Cederberg
• Kimberley
• Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park
• Zululand
• The Battlefields