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Cape Point Nature Reserve

Cape Point is at the south east corner of the Cape Peninsula and it forms part of the Table Mountain Nature Reserve.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the place where the Atlantic meets the Indian Ocean and neither is it the southernmost point of Africa.

The drive to the point must be seen as part of the outing and should not be rushed.
On the eastern peninsula drive, you get to see Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and Simon's Town.

The western peninsula drive takes you past Hout Bay, the world famous Chapman's Peak Drive and Scarborough.

The Old light house, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

The old lighthouse

Most visitors to Cape Point visit the Old lighthouse built in 1860. Because it was too often hidden in clouds, a newer one was built closer to the sea in 1914.
Perched further down the cliffs, it’s the most powerful lighthouse in South Africa.

The new lighthouse, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

The new lighthouse

If you cannot, or don't want to climb the steps to the old lighthouse, you can take the Flying Dutchman funicular.

Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

My advice - take the funicular - it's quite a walk if you are unfit!

At the car park there are gift shops and the Two Oceans Restaurant with great big windows where you can take in the awesome views.
Here one can retreat from the wind and have a bite to eat with no danger of baboons snatching your food.

Two Oceans Restaurant, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

The view from the Two Oceans Restaurant

At the Buffelsfontein Visitors Centre you’ll be treated to displays and audiovisual presentations to enlighten you on the history of the area and what to expect in the park.

Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

Buffelsfontein Visitors Centre provides lots of information

There are loads of paths for strolls and longer walks. The shortest is just a 15 minute amble through choice fynbos to the Smitswinkel viewpoint. A great coastal walk is the Shipwreck trail starting at Olifantsbos on the western side of the reserve.

Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

On the eastern side at Bordjiesdrif and Buffels Bay are safe tidal pools for swimming, as well as picnic and braai spots.

Cape Point Nature Reserve, Cape town Nature, Cape Town

The tidal pool at Buffels Bay

One can spot various Cape antelope species like the endemic Bontebok rescued from extinction in the last century and the extremely rare Cape mountain zebras.

Birders will thrill at the sight of peregrine falcons plummeting down from the cliff tops, African black oystercatchers hopping about the rocky shore, ocean birds soaring about and sunbirds flitting amongst the fynbos.

Surfers have lots of breaks to choose from, although the eastern side needs the huge winter swells to wrap around the Point before it gets surfable.

With so much to do and see, one can easily spend a whole day here.

Insider's Tip

Beware of the baboons if you have food. They are quite arrogant and aggressive and target children to snatch the food from.

Insider's Tip

Get a wild card. This card is valid for one year and allows you free entrance to all parks, reserves and resorts of SANParks and CapeNature.

Useful Information

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Tel - 021 780 9207
www.capepoint.co.za

Hours:
06h00 until 18h00 - October to March
07h00 until 17h00 - April to September

Two Oceans Restaurant

Hours
09h00 until 18h00 - October to March
09h00 until 17h00 - April to September

Flying Dutchman Funicular

Hours
09h00 until 18h00 - October to March
09h00 until 17h00 - April to September

Things to do at Cape Point

A wide variety of scenic walks, trails and overnight hikes through natural fynbos and along sandy beaches. (See hiking map below)
Go scuba diving or sea kayaking.
Try the wide variety of stunning dive sites waiting to be explored.
Swim in the tidal pools of Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay .
Whales can be seen on their annual migration past the Point, between May and November.
Birding is great with more than 250 bird species to be found.
Animals that can be seen include the Cape mountain zebra and other antelope species and smaller indigenous creatures such as the mongoose and dassie.
View the 26 recorded shipwrecks.
See one of the highest sea cliffs in the world, at 249m above sea level.

Editorial Comment:

Cape Point is without doubt one of my favourite Cape Town attractions.

Kaappunt is sonder twyfel een van my gunsteling bestemmings! Dis nie dat dit net die reservaat is wat dit vir my doen nie. Vir 'n besoek aan Kaappunt moet jy beslis die grootste gedeelte van 'n dag opsy sit.

Maak die rit deel van die lekkerte, want op pad daarheen, moet jy by Kampsbaai of Simonstad stop en as jy Houtbaai om ry, moet jy by een van die afdraaipunte aftrek. Dis besonders!

Cape Point hiking map
(Click map to enlarge)

Buy this map at: www.themaps.co.za

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Ambassador Hotel	Derwent House Boutique Hotel
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Kensington Place Hotel	Cape Grace Hotel
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