You wouldn't be the only one if you are thinking that Cape Point in Cape Town is as far south as you can get on the African continent.

However, you're wrong! You can get further south at Cape Agulhas, about 150km east beyond Hermanus.

Cape Point Nature Reserve is part of the Table Mountain National Park. It's at the end of a beautiful scenic drive along the Peninsula.

Just the scenery makes the drive worth it, even if you don't step out of the car when you get there.

The road is wedged between the ocean and mile upon mile of rugged mountains. There are small villages tucked into corners en route, but otherwise human inhabitants are thin on the ground. The fynbos is untouched and the ocean stretches as far as -- Antarctica!

Cape Point in Cape Town boasts two lighthouses built one above the other. The first lighthouse was built well it was often obscured by fog or cloud. So a couple of shipwrecks later they built the new one much closer to sea level. Now the ships sail happily ever after... for the most part!

Is there more to Cape Point than the lighthouses ?

Yes, absolutely!

A visit to the old lighthouse at Cape Point is superb just to enjoy that sensation of being perched high above an enormous stretch of ocean. But don't neglect the rest of the Reserve.

Cape Point Nature Reserve is home to some spectacular beaches (Diaz Beach is a great one). It's also home to a couple of troops of Chacma baboons - more about them later!

Diaz Beach can only be reached by a scramble down a rocky path - a good thing because only the enthusiastic few take the trouble! It's definitely worth it...

If you'd rather do your touring by car you should still venture off the main road and explore.

Getting off the beaten track here is easy and worthwhile.

The signposting may be diabolical but the mountains make great landmarks and there aren't that many roads to choose from...

You won't get lost at Cape Point in Cape Town - I've posted a map down below!

By the way -- don't monkey with the baboons at Cape Point!

A word about the local baboon troops... DON'T feed them!

In fact keep a good, respectful distance away.

Unfortunately they've become so used to expect food from humans that this has caused two major problems -

they are forgetting how to forage for themselves and

they can get cranky if you don't hand over your grub pronto

So don't get held up at banana point - rather give those baboons a wide berth! Don't walk and eat, carry all food out of sight in back pack or basket.

If you're looking to eat and drink at Cape Point but don't want to pack your own supplies, we found that the Two Oceans Restaurant there is a pleasant surprise.

We were expecting a tourist trap of high prices and dubious service, albeit in a setting that is unsurpassed.

In fact, service was good, the food more so and the prices very reasonable.

You may find the following related pages helpful:
Simonstown
Boulders Beach - Penguins near Cape Town
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