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Cape Point is a promontory at the south-east corner of the Cape Peninsula.It is at the southwestern tip of the continent . This tip of the peninsula is not actually the southernmost point in Africa; that is Cape Agulhas, approximately 150 kilometres to the south-east.The area is rich in flora and fauna- "fynbos" covers a huge area. Cape baboons are quite cheeky in this area. Do not feed or encourage themin any way.
The highest peak has the old lighthouse on the top. A funicular railway runs from a car park to the north up to slightly below the level of the old lighthouse and a short flight of steps leads to a viewing platform at the base of the lighthouse. From the end of the railway a second path leads to the lower peak.
A newer lighthouse is at a lower elevation (closer to sea level), for two reasons: the old lighthouse could be seen 'too early' by ships rounding the point towards the east, causing them to approach too closely. Secondly, foggy conditions often prevail at the higher levels, making the older lighthouse invisible to shipping. On 18 April 1911, the Portuguese liner Lusitania was wrecked just south of Cape Point at Bellows Rock for precisely this reason, and a new lighthouse was constructed to prevent such sea tragedies.
The new lighthouse location cannot be seen from the West until ships are at a safe distance to the South. The light of the new Cape Point lighthouse is the most powerful on the South African coast, with a range of 63 kilometres and an intensity of 10 megacandelas in each flash.
Both the Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point are situated within the Table Mountain National Park. . The park is unspoiled and undeveloped and is an important haven for seabirds.
The view from the various vantage points here is staggering. Look out over the sea- There is no visible line where the two oceans meet- but the enormous swell and strong current is obvious. Countless ships that have braved these oceans over the centuries have watery graves right here. Leave a Comment Directions: Follow the M4 all the way up until Simon’s Town. You will reach Cape Point by following the M4 directly from there
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 Proof that a tourist
reached Cape Point!
hehehe by jumpingnorman
WARNING: Excessive travelling can cause loss of memory!
On 18 April 1911, the Portuguese liner Lusitania with 744 people aboard was wrecked just south of Cape Point on Bellows Rock as a result the older, higher lighthouse --- so a new lighthouse was created to a lower, more reliable point with lesser fog. But I really think the older one looks better...
Although Portuguese navigator Bartolome Diaz was the first to cruise in the area, Vasco de Gamma was the first to line this point. It was also named Cape of Storms by Dias in 1488 (Cabo Tormentoso), and this has been a place of several shipwrecks.
Cape Point is also not the meeting point between Atlantic and Indian oceans - this point is 200 km farther. But this has been recognized by prominent people including Sir Francis Drake who in 1580 described it as "The most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth". Leave a Comment
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 CAPE POINT. by PEE-WEE
To reach Cape Point from Cape Town, you have two options if you’re travelling by car:
For the most spectacular journey, take the M6 route via Hout Bay and drive along Chapman’s Peak. Then, from Noordhoek, follow the magnificent coastline to Kommetjie, Sweetwater, Witsand, Misty Cliffs and Scarborough, where you head inland and all along the top of a mountain plateau.
Or take the Blue Route (M4) to Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and along the coast to historic naval village of Simon's Town. Then continue along the coastal road to the entrance of the Table Mountain National Park. A scenic drive through the reserve leads you to the parking area at Cape Point. Leave a Comment Address: CAPE POINT.Directions: MOST SOUTHERN TIP OF AFRICA.
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 Old Lighthouse at Cape Point,
South Africa by jumpingnorman
So, this very nice red and white lighthouse was put to retirement and a newer brighter one was built at a lower elevation (100 m further south). This new lighthouse has a range of 63 kilometres, and beams out a group of three flashes of 10 million candlepower each, every 30 seconds.
During my visit to Cape Point, I did walk all the way up to the old lighthouse. The view from several hundreds of feet above sea level are just magnificent and perfect for picture taking! I think this old lighthouse is a very charming one, and so I took a lot of pictures with it. The equipment for this old lighthouse were shipped from England on board the barque Royal Saxon on 30 May 1857.
There is even a gift shop nearby where you can buy shirts and souvenirs.
There is also a funicular railway that runs from a car park to the north up to slightly below the level of the old lighthouse, and a short flight of steps will lead to a viewing platform at the base of the lighthouse. From the end of the railway a second path will lead to the lower peak.
But no matter how you climb it, this is a “must-see” when in Cape Town! Leave a Comment
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 Grab a giant seaweed in
Africa's Cape Point by jumpingnorman, 1 more photos
A warning though is you have to balance yourself when you throw it up, and don't let the seaweed land on you, hehehe...
But, this tip is really just more to highlight this Cape of Good Hope location where you will find the sign saying that this is the Most Southwestern Point of African Continent. But take note that Cape Point is really not the place where the Atlantic and the Indian Oceans meet- the two oceans meet at Cape Agulhus which is southeast to Cape Point. Leave a Comment
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 Ostrich walking in the Road in
the Nature Reserve by cokes
The reserve is host to approximately half of the 2 700 species of indigenous plants contained in the Cape Peninsula. There are over 250 species of birds in the reserve, ranging from ostriches to minuscule sunbirds. Caracal, chacma baboon, a wide variety of buck and various other mammal species may be seen. The baboons feed occasionally on marine foods which they garner at low tide. Tourists are requested not to feed the baboons as they become too dependent on handouts and eventually become annoyed and aggressive if food is not forthcoming, Such baboons may have to be destroyed as they become dangerous to visitors.
There are a number of picnic spots and braai (barbecue) facilities are available. There are some interesting walks and trails with swimming at Bordjiesdrif and Buffels Bay tidal pools. Some of the best angling spots in the Peninsula are found on the reserve, and Rooikrans ranks as one of the finest in the world. Blue and Yellow Fin Tuna have been caught off this ledge. Tourists can take the newly developed Funicular Railway system to the viewsite at Cape Point where the views from the old lighthouse are unforgettable. It is almost mandatory to drive down to Cape Point beach and have a photograph taken by the sign that proclaims that you are "now at the southwesternmost point of the continent of Africa". Leave a Comment
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 Cape Point by cokes
Cape Point is situated in the Cape Peninsula National Park and brown and white bontebok antelopes, dawdling tortoises and dashing ostriches can be seen on a drive through the pristine nature reserve. The flora too deserves your attention with 2 200 species of plants including giant headed protea bushes flowering in winter and pretty little ericas which you will not see anywhere else on earth.
Take your walking shoes and stroll down to the Cape of Good Hope which is the south-western most tip of the African continent (not to be confused with the most southerly point which is at Cape Agulhas 170km to the east). It is said that the two oceans, the Indian and Atlantic meet at Cape Point and it is true that the warm Mozambique current from the east mingles with the cold Benguela current from the west, but there is no straight defining line. Regardless, Cape Point is one of the greatest landmarks in the world and there could be no better place to have a meeting of two such majestic oceans. Leave a Comment
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The restuarant is a bit pricey. The view is amazing but not for those scared of heights.
This is a beautiful nature reserve as well as the opportunity to see a view like this of the Indian & Atlantic ocean mixing. There is a huge variety of fynbos vegetation here & obviously smoking can cause a fire risk. There is a guided tour available of Cape Point Ostrich farm situated 600m from the entrance to the National Park. Visitors can visit the original lighthouse & see the treacherous conditions that caused it to be built in the first place.
Although bear in mind this is not the most southern tip of Africa.
Gate entry cost is R45 for adults & R10 for children & pensioners
Open Oct- Mar 6am - 6pm, April to Sept 7am - 5pm
The funicular costs R32 return for adults & R10 for children so best to walk up & stop halfway like my friends
Watch out for the baboons they are not cute nor are they friendly. Leave a Comment
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 by camilo74Leave a Comment
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Cape of Good Hope is the most southwesterly point of Africa and is defenitely worth a visit (together with the whole peninsula). Unfortunately weather wasn't at it's best, but Cape of Godd Hope rewarded us with a lovely rainbow.
The scenery in the park is amazing, beautiful beaches, some steep hills and lonely lighthouses. Keep your eyes open for some wildlife, we saw baboons, ostriches and elans.
There's a visitor's centre shortly after the entrance gates and a restaurant and souvenir shop at Cape Point where you can also take a funicular up to an old lighthouse.
Admission to the Nature Reserve is 55 Rand/person. Leave a Comment
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