Cape point is situated at the southern tip of South Africa. Cape Point is an unspoilt wild and scenic nature reserve that is also home to the famous Cape of Good Hope.
Cape of Good Hope was once called the Cape of Storm due to the treacherous sea condition that had seen many ships wreck and lives lost. There is a famous story about a ship named The Flying Dutchman which was wrecked whilst rounding the Cape in heavy weather in 1680. The captain then swore that he would round the Cape if it took him until doomsday. Legend believes that he has kept his word and has been sighted on numerous occasions.
The rocky coastline of Cape of Good Hope makes this story very believable. The crashing of the waves could sometimes rise above 10ft against the rocky headland. On a positive note, this scenario makes great photo opportunity.
Cape Point is part of the Table Mountain National Park. There are many rich and diverse fauna and flora in the vast and sandy flat landscape with rugged cliffs and steep slopes. There is a treasure trove of 1,100 species of indigenous plants, various types of fynbos plants, freesias, daisy, lilies and iris and the spectacular proteas, which are often referred to as prehistoric plant.
There is an old lighthouse at the top of Cape Point. Built in 1860, it was unable to function effectively due to mist and fog. The second lighthouse was built in 1919 and has since remained as a powerful beacon of light on the South African coast.
You can either walk or take a funicular to the top of Cape Point. The funicular is named after the ghost ship, “The Flying Dutchman”. The funicular can transport 40 people at one time and runs on a long track which curves vertically and horizontally. We took the funicular to the top and walk down on our return. Though the walking trail in on a slope, it is pleasant and easy as it is not steep.
Funicular ride: Return -adult R36 students and pensioners – R12
Single – adult R27 rand
The restaurant called the Two Oceans Restaurant offer indoor and outdoor dining. The restaurant is perched at the cliff edge with the ocean stretching far out to the horizon. Watch out for baboons as they crept quietly hoping to grab your food.
We were sitting on the wooden decking when a waiter came and told us to be careful of our bags and our food as a baboon is loitering on the canopy above us. There was a male baboon was trying to get into the restaurant as the baby baboons clung onto their mother waiting for food.
Though it was fascinating observing the behaviour of the baboons, we were warned that they are dangerous. In fact, we witness a baboon snatch a pie from a visitor as he was walking towards his car.
Besides baboons, there are also many bird species in the Cape. If you enjoy bird watching, you might be able to spot a Rock Kestrel, Kite, Fish Eagle, Eagle Owl and Jackal.
You can get to Cape Point Nature Park either in a rented car or you could join a tour. If you are travelling in a small group, you could even hire a mini bus and a guide to show you the place. You have to pay to enter the park, and it cost R60 per adult and discount is given to children under 12. The gate closes at sunset and the time varies according to the season.
There is something mystical about Cape Point. Perhaps it is the history of the treacherous coastline, stories of shipwrecks and heroic encounters of sailors who have conquer the erratic sea.
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