|
Image source: African Destinations
65km south-west of Cape Town,at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, the rugged rocks and sheer cliffs cut deep into the ocean. This outcrop is called Cape Point. Cape Point is located at 34°21'24?S, 18°29'51"E and is situated within the Southern section of Table Mountain National Park, the Cape of Good Hope entrance.
Situated at the junction of two of earth's most contrasting water masses - the cold Benguela current on the West Coast and the warm Agulhas current on the East Coast , the Cape of Good Hope is popularly perceived as the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans. Geographically, however, the Indian Ocean joins the Atlantic Ocean at Cape Agulhas.
The local authority proclaimed the area a nature reserve in 1938 and it was incorporated into the Table Mountain National Park in 1998. It encompasses 7 750 hectares of rich and varied flora and fauna and its 40 kilometre coastline stretches from Schuster's Bay in the west to Smitswinkel Bay in the east. The cliffs at the southern point, towering more than 200 metres above the sea, consists of three clearly defined promontories - Cape of Good Hope, Cape Maclear and Cape Point.
The Cape of Good Hope is at the south-west corner of the Cape Peninsula, about 2.3 kilometres (1.4 mi) west and a little south of Cape Point, on the south-east corner.Both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point offer spectacular scenery. Indeed, the whole of the southernmost portion of the Cape Peninsula is a wild, rugged, scenic and generally unspoiled national park.
The Cape of Good Hope is often thought of as being the southernmost point in Africa, and the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans; while Aghulas retains the southernmost point, Cape Point is however the southwestern most point of the continent.
There are dedicated hiking and walking paths from the parking lot at Cape Point that offers different routes from gentle walks to several hours of hiking. There is also a 2 day hiking trail offered by TMNP. It is requested that hikers and walkers keep to the demarcated pathways. It is also possible to cycle within the Park, please check with TMNP prior to your arrival to clear any permits or special authorisation. Off road cycling is not authorised.
Hours
October to March-06h00 until 18h00
April to September-07h00 until 17h00
Visitors must exit the park by sunset.
Cost
R55 per person (price valid until 31 October 2008).
(Discounts for students and pensioners apply)
Free entrance to Wild Card and Cape Town Wild Card Holders
(visit www.wildinafrica.com)
Contact
Buffelsfontein Information Centre on (+27) (0) 21 780 9204
Main Attractions
Spot the Shipwrecks
One of the Cape's most famous legends involves a ship named the Flying Dutchman. In 1680, the vessel foundered whilst rounding the Cape in heavy weather. The captain, Hendrik van der Decken, swore while his ship was sinking, that he would round the Cape if it took him until doomsday. Some believe that he has kept his word, as over the years the Flying Dutchman is said to have been sighted on many occasions. Another well-known shipwreck is that of the Lusitania, which struck Bellows Rock in thick fog at midnight on 18 April 1911. The remains of at least 23 shipwrecks lie along the coastline, only five of which can still be seen - at Olifantsbos, Duikersklip, Hoek van Bobbejaan, Dias Beach and Buffels Bay. The remains of two wrecks near Olifantsbos can be reached from the beach. These are the Thomas T Tucker, which ran aground during World War II and the Nolleth, wrecked in 1965.
Visit the Lighthouses
"The Point" is also called the "Cape of Storms" and has been treated with respect by sailors since it was first sighted by Dias in 1488. By day, it was a landmark of great navigational value until the introduction of the radar. By night, and in fog, it was a menace. Ships had to approach closely to obtain bearings and thereby were exposed to the dangers of Bellow Rock and Albatross Rock. In 1860 the first lighthouse was completed, 238 metres above sea-level.However, this light was often obscured by mist and fog. In 1913 construction was started on a second lighthouse on Dias Point, some 87 meters above sea-level. This second light was first lit at sunset on 11 March 1919, and remains the most powerful on the South African coast. The original lighthouse still stands on the highest section of the peak and is now used as the centralised monitoring point for all the lighthouses on the coast of South Africa.
Bird Watching
The Cape of Good Hope is home to at least 250 species of birds. On land, the most notable species are ostrich and raptors like the Rock Kestrel, Black-Shouldered Kite, Fish Eagle, Black Eagle, Spotted Eagle Owl and Jackal Buzzard. "Bush birds" tend to be rather scarce because of the coarse, scrubby nature of fynbos vegetation. When flowering, however, proteas and ericas attract sunbirds, sugar-birds and other species in search of nectar.
Game Watching and Whale Watching (in season)
Due to sandy soils, the area is unable to sustain a number of large animals and those that are present are not easily seen. However, there is a wealth of insects, lizards, tortoises (including the Cape Angulate Tortoise), frogs and snakes such as the Puff Adder, Cape Cobra, Mole Snake and Boomslang. Mammals include Cape Mountain Zebra, Chacma Baboon, Rock Hyrax ("dassie"), Genet, Lynx, Striped Field Mouse, Cape Grey and Water Mongoose, and Cape Clawless Otter. Eight species of antelope are also found here: Bontebok, Eland, Cape Grysbok, Red Hartebeest, Grey Rhebok, Steenbok and Grey Duiker. Klipspringers have been re-established recently after an absence of almost 70 years. The Whales can be spotted from June to October.
Bush and nature walks
The Cape of Good Hope is an integral part of the Cape Floristic Kingdom, the smallest, but richest of the world's six floral kingdoms. This comprises a treasure trove of 1 100 species of indigenous plants, of which a number are endemic. Two types of fynbos ("fine bush"), coastal fynbos on alkaline sands and inland fynbos on acid soils, are found. Characteristic fynbos plants include proteas, ericas (heath) and restios (reeds). Some of the most striking and well-known members belong to the Proteacae family, of which up to 24 species occur. Many popular horticultural plants like pelargoniums, freesias, daisies, lilies and irises, also have their origins in fynbos.
Cape Point is also a WORLD WEATHER STATION.
The South African Weather Bureau, together with the Fraunhofer Institute in Garmisch, Germany, maintains a research laboratory at Cape Point to monitor long-term changes in the chemistry of the earth's atmosphere, which may impact upon climate.
The laboratory monitors environmentally important air components, including trace gases like ozone, methane and carbon dioxide, as well as solar radiation and various meteorological parameters.The air at Cape Point is regarded as being particularly pure for most of the time, thereby providing insights into such phenomenon as stratospheric ozone depletion and climate change.
Facilties
The Flying Dutchman Funicular
Opened in December 1996,the funicular operates transfers from the lower station at 127mr (417ft) above sea level to the upper station at 214mr (702ft) above sea level. This is an adventure for children and adults alike and is recommended for elderly persons who cannot walk the many steps up to the lighthouse. It is also saving time for busy itineraries and is fully accessible for wheel chairs and handicapped people.
Open Daily: October to March- 09h00 until 18h00
April to September- 09h00 until 17h00
Two Oceans Restaurant
Opened for breakfast, lunch, afternoons teas, early evening cocktails, the restaurant offers uninterrupted views over False Bay, excellent cuisine and caters for all tastes and budgets. The restaurant also manages the Two Oceans Food shop where you can find anything you need for a picnic or a small bite to eat; and also caters for private functions.
Two Oceans Restaurant and souvenir shops are opened daily from 09h00 until 18h00 (October to March) and 09h00 until 17h00 (April to September).
Curio and souvenirs shops
There are three different shops to cater for any shopping needs.
Accommodation
Accommodation is available within the reserve. Olifantsbos Cottage is Situated next to the Olifantsbos beach. This Self-catering cottage has a master bedroom, 2 bedrooms with 2 ¾ beds,and a bathroom with bath and shower. A fully-equipped kitchen with gas stove and fridge opens up to the lounge area with a jet master fire place. The annex can accommodate a further 6 persons and has its own shower and toilet. The whole facility is solar-powered.
Eland & Duiker Cottages are 10 minutes drive away and include two family cottages. Eland, Bontebok and Zebra graze on the front lawn of these cottages. The cottages can accommodate 6 persons. These self-catering units are fully-equipped and visitors need only bring their food.
Source: www.capepoint.co.za
|
