The Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve at Cape Point is a real treasure of nature, being home to almost half of the 2 700 indigenous plants (fynbos) that make their home in the Cape – there is such floral diversity, which is fascinating at any time of the year, but is visually best in the spring (September) when the wild flowers bloom. This Nature Reserve is also home to over 250 species of birds, varying in size from ostriches to the tiny sunbirds. Also, large mammals can be seen, such as caracal, a wide variety of buck as well as chacma baboons. The baboons can be seen sometimes, at low tide, gathering sea-food off the rocks, but they have also discovered that tourists are a source of easy hand-outs and can sometimes be a nuisance. Because of this some of the baboons have become aggressive and, if they become dangerous to visitors, have to be destroyed. Please DO NOT feed the baboons, no matter how cute the babies look clinging to their mothers’ tummies!

However, there are several picnic spots, some of which have braai (barbecue) facilities. Walks and trails abound and there are tidal pools, which are safe for swimming, at both Bordjesdrif and Buffels Bay. If angling is your “thing” there are several good angling spots on this coast, with Rooikrans ranking as one of the finest in the world (blue and yellow fin tuna have been caught off this ledge).

To get to the view site at Cape Point there is a new funicular railway from the car park. The views from the old lighthouse are unforgettable – “on a clear day you see forever”!