Cape Point Nature Reserve in South Africa

Cape Point Nature Reserve

A trip to the Cape Point Nature Reserve is a must while visiting the Western Cape. The southern end of the Cape Peninsula , the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are the two main area of interest. For the early explorers the Cape of Good Hope marked the turning point in their luck because once the "Cape of Storms", as Bartholomeus Diaz called it in 1488, had been passed, the battle against the sea was essentially been won.
Both the Capes are situated in the 7800 hectare Good Hope section of the Cape Peninsula National Park , 13 kilometres behind the entrance gate.

Do not forget your camera as there are many fantastic views to be enjoyed!! The last short stretch to the peak of Cape Point consists of 120 steps crafted from natural stone lead to the old lighthouse on the Cape Point Peak, 250 metres above sea level. For the not so active, there is the Cape Point funicular to take you up to the lighthouse built some 87 metres above sea level. One can see the Cape of Good Hope in the west from there. A hiking trail links the two capes. The Cape of Good Hope can also easily be reached by car.

There are many beautiful beaches, bays and cliff areas to be explored, as well as spotting the numerous types of antelope. There are some 1200 different species of vegetation of the Cape floral kingdom. Walk along one of the trails in the park and spot many species of birds from the large black eagle down to the tiny vibrantly coloured sunbird and sugarbird. Southern Right whales can also be seen from July to December.

Shipwrecks, blockhouses and the furthest South Western point of Africa are at the Cape of Good Hope .