Cape of Good Hope (South Africa) - detailed description, location, reviews, photos and videos.
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The Cape of Good Hope personified the hopes of the Portuguese, who in the 15th century were looking for a way to India. It was originally called the Cape of Tempest, but King João II was superstitious and therefore decided to rename this point on the Cape Peninsula. Today the Cape of Good Hope is one of the most important strategic sites on the African continent. Once he helped ships from Europe to the Far East, now it remains popular for its landscapes, which attract millions of tourists.
How to get there
You can get to the Cape of Good Hope, located on the Cape Peninsula, from Cape Town. The journey by car will take about four hours. Time will pass imperceptibly, because on the way you will come across a very beautiful area: savannah, on which ostriches, antelopes, baboons and other animals roam, mountains, a reserve.
The Cape of Good Hope is the most extreme southwestern point of Africa. It is impossible to make a mistake, since this fact is confirmed by both scientists and the inscription with the exact coordinates installed on the site in front of the cape. But the Cape Peninsula at this point reaches its southernmost point and, going to the north, is cut off by Cape Point.
Reserve
The road to the Cape of Good Hope inevitably leads through the reserve of the same name. It is characterized by lush vegetation that interferes with movement if hiked. The highest plant density is on the Cape Peninsula. It's almost impossible to get through here, you need a car. The area of \u200b\u200bthe reserve is more than 7 thousand hectares. There are plants here that cannot be found in other parts of the world.
To match the vegetation and fauna of the reserve - its uniqueness lies in the fact that penguins live here next to monkeys, cheetahs and antelopes. Yes, exactly the penguins, which we are used to seeing only in the coldest parts of the planet. The fact is that they were able to swim to Africa from Antarctica and settled here.
Previously, penguins felt almost like the owners of the reserve and calmly went to their neighbors in search of food. But then, apparently, when other animals got tired of such anarchy, the penguins got a separate territory. It's called Boulders Beach.
The reserve is open every day, seven days a week. In summer it receives guests until 18:00, and in winter - until 17:00 local time.
Cape of Good Hope and surroundings
Beaches
The Cape of Good Hope has beaches where you can relax and sunbathe. People come here both in large companies and with the whole family. There are even places on the beach where lovers can retire, hide from prying eyes.
The swimming season usually lasts from September to May. During this period, the weather is sunny, so you can safely go here for a tan. On other days, there is not much to catch on the beach.
Lighthouse
The lighthouse is one of the main attractions of the Cape of Good Hope. It was built in 1860 and its height is 240 meters above sea level. It is the tallest lighthouse in South Africa. Unfortunately, it does not work, because once it could not help a Portuguese ship - the lighthouse was covered with clouds, and the ship, which did not see the signal, hit the stones.
But on the lighthouse at an altitude of 200 meters there is an observation deck. You can climb it on foot or by cable car. There is a restaurant and a souvenir shop next to the lighthouse.
The platform offers a wonderful view of two oceans at once: Indian and Atlantic. The waters of these oceans wash both sides of the cape. If you take a closer look, you can see that the oceans differ in color. The waves very quickly run over the rocks and break on them, leaving traces of white foam.
Excursions
Usually excursions to the Cape of Good Hope include a visit to the reserve, as well as the coast with a penguin shelter. We will tell you about a few more places worth seeing. On the coast of False Bay, or "False Bay", a winding road is laid through the mountains. On it you can get to the town of Simonstown, where the British Royal Navy used to be based.
The Cape of Good Hope coast itself has its own characteristics. For example, on the western side, the climate is milder, there are beaches, sandy shores, an atmosphere of peace and quiet. In the east, it is warmer, but strong winds blow, which make it difficult to swim and enjoy the scenery. On this part of the coast, not everyone risks swimming; tourists prefer to just sit on the shore and breathe the air of the ocean.
The island of fur seals is of great interest to travelers. Its area is only 4 square kilometers - small for an island, and it has a turbulent history dating back to the 17th century. The fact is that for three centuries there was a prison, a military base and a hospital. And it was on this island that freedom fighter and future South African President Nelson Mandela was serving his sentence. In 1999, the island became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A museum was opened here, telling about the history of the country. Tourists can visit the prison courtyard and cells.
Excursion to the ends of the earth! Isn't this a dream!
For a long time it was believed that the Cape of Good Hope was the southernmost point of Africa. It was discovered in 1488 by the Portuguese navigator Bartolomeu Dias de Novais. In search of a sea route to India, Bartolomeu and his team circled Africa. Having got into a violent storm, the ships wandered in the ocean for several days, and then stumbled upon a cape. In memory of the storm, the navigator named it Cape of Tempests.
Soon, thanks to King João II of Portugal, the cape received a different name - the Cape of Good Hope.
The Cape of Good Hope is the extreme point of the southwestern part of Africa. Its exact coordinates are indicated on a plate installed in front of the cape. Tourists constantly gather near it.
Cape Point is located a little further from it - a favorite place for visitors due to the powerful, 240 m above sea level, lighthouse. A lighthouse named "The Cape of Good Hope" was built on Cape Point back in 1857. It is currently not operational, but tourists can take a funicular or on foot to the observation deck, located at an altitude of 200 m, from where a beautiful panoramic view opens up.
If you look closely, from a height you can see how the waters of the Indian and Atlantic oceans are connected at the cape. Water of different shades merges together. There are sandy beaches on the coast, where you can relax in a large company or retire.
Not far from the Cape of Good Hope is the famous Diaz Beach. Surfers are attracted by high waves, divers are attracted by numerous sunken ships, and adventure seekers hope to catch a glimpse of the legendary Flying Dutchman.
On the way to the Cape of Good Hope from Cape Town on the territory of more than 7 thousand hectares there is a nature reserve of the same name with the cape. More than 1,000 plant species, including endemics, are found here. In the impenetrable thickets of the reserve, the artichoke protea grows, the flower of which is the symbol of South Africa.
More than 250 species of birds and many animals live here: eland antelopes, zebras, bear baboons, cheetahs, lynxes, mongooses, crocodile-like lizards. And next to them live penguins and seals. In winter and spring, southern whales swim near the Cape of Good Hope.
How to get to the Cape of Good Hope:
- from Moscow to Cape Town with a transfer in Munich, London or Dubai, from where you can get to the Cape by car in 4 hours. The road by car runs through an area filled with wonderful landscapes, so time flies by.
For your convenience, Excellens company organizes individual tours to the Cape of Good Hope with a flight from Moscow.
It is the embodiment of the hopes of Portuguese sailors who were looking for a way to India in the 15th century. Initially nicknamed the Cape of Tempest, King João II was very superstitious and issued a decree to rename it.
Today the cape is the most important strategic site of the region. It used to be a reference point for merchant ships sailing from Europe to the Far East. Now it is a popular tourist destination, and millions of travelers from all over the world come to admire its landscapes every year.
Cape of Good Hope: description, photo, video
Despite the euphonious name, this section of the African coastal zone cannot be called calm. Severe sea storms and hurricanes are frequent at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, aided by two deep-sea currents colliding in the vicinity of the peninsula. For many centuries, these places were dangerous for navigation, as well as at, even modern ships pass this section very difficult. Only experienced sailors could cope with the power of the elements.
Quite often, the Cape of Good Hope is called the extreme point of Africa in the south, but this is not entirely true. Geographically, a similar status belongs to Cape Igolny, which stretches 200 kilometers to the south-east. The Cape of Good Hope is rather a "psychological" mark, crossing which, the traveler moves more eastward than southward. It rises 250 meters above sea level, making it one of the largest coastal cliffs in the world.
The Cape of Good Hope in South Africa has dense vegetation with low shrubs. Its entire territory, as well as the main part of the Cape Peninsula, are part of the Table Mountain National Park. The climate here is harsh, wild and practically untouched by man. It is this feature that attracts tourists.
The total area of \u200b\u200bthe protected area covers more than 7 thousand hectares. There are fantastic deserted beaches and majestic cliffs that gaze into the vast expanses of the ocean. The amazing landscapes of Cape Dobroi Nadezhny, as they fascinate in the photo, but it is better to see them in reality. A huge number of seabirds live on the coast, among which penguins are especially interesting. As for the vegetation, among the great variety, it is full of endemics that are not found anywhere else in the world.
Where is the Cape of Good Hope
This attraction is located on the territory of the Republic of South Africa in the Western Cape. To be more precise, where the Cape of Good Hope is located, it is located 50 kilometers from Cape Town, in the area of \u200b\u200banother cape called Cape Point. This territory is remarkable in that the so-called passage between the two oceans - the Indian and the Atlantic - is located here.
Distance from major cities:
- Pretoria - 1,340 kilometers;
- Johannesburg - 1,397 kilometers
The coordinates of the Cape of Good Hope on the map:
- Latitude - 34 ° 21 ′ 32 ″
- Longitude - 18 ° 28 ′ 21 ″
Cape of Good Hope on the map
How to get to the Cape of Good Hope
The natural landmark is far enough away from civilization. You can get here from Cape Town, where there are many flights from Johannesburg and other cities. It should be noted that different airlines operate flights only on certain days. The cost of the ticket depends on the distance - from major cities in South Africa it varies between $ 50-200, from other countries, respectively, more expensive.
How to get from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope:
The first option is suitable for those who have a driver's license, in the city you can rent a car for up to $ 120 per day, travel time is about 1.5 hours. You can also take a bus, there are two daily flights to the cape - in the morning and at lunchtime. The landing place in Cape Town is Green Market Square, buses leave at 13:00 and 17:15, the price of a one-way ticket is $ 7-8.
When is the best time to visit
Since the territory is under protection, the Cape of Good Hope has a certain working schedule. In summer it is open to visitors until 6 pm, in winter - until 5. There are practically no days off. There are several beaches on the coast where you can come to relax and sunbathe. Many beaches are wild, so here you can get away from tourists. The cape is great for families.
The swimming season here begins in September and lasts until May. At this time, the weather is warm and sunny. In winter, and here it lasts from June to the end of July, it is cool here and strong winds blow. This time is suitable only for true extreme lovers who cannot be scared by huge waves.
Features of visiting the Cape of Good Hope
Has an official website where you can find a lot of useful information. The cost of visiting the park is approximately $ 11. Children under 11 have a 50% discount. The Flying Dutchman funicular operates on the territory. It received this name due to the fact that the mysterious ship of the same name is most often visible from it.
According to legend, in the 17th century, a captain sold his soul to the devil to get out of the storm. As a result, the ship and the crew members were cursed and forced to sail forever in the ocean, appearing in front of the sailors with whom misfortune should have happened. One-way fare on the funicular is $ 4, and for children under 16 - $ 1.5.
Cape of Good Hope how to get there on your own
Vehicles that do not have time to leave the parking lot before the park closes are subject to a fine. Littering is also prohibited in the park. The park has a restaurant where you can have a bite to eat with local dishes, as well as several outlets where you can buy souvenirs and other products. However, it is better to stock up on food and water in advance. You should also take a camera with you - beautiful pictures are guaranteed.
What to see in the vicinity
One of the main attractions of the cape is the lighthouse. It was built in the second half of the 19th century. The lighthouse rises to 240 meters, so it can be seen from almost anywhere in the neighborhood. It is the largest in South Africa. Today it does not function and is more valuable from an aesthetic point of view, being an excellent observation deck. You can get here on foot or by funicular.
From the observation deck, you can simultaneously admire the waters of the two oceans, which, by the way, differ from each other in color. On the coast of False Bay in the mountains there is a winding trail that leads to the small town of Simonstown. Once upon a time the Royal Navy of Britain was stationed here.
Another must-see is the island of fur seals. On 4 square kilometers there is a closed military base and a prison in which Nelson Mandela was serving his sentence. Now a museum is open here, where you can learn the history of South Africa. Also, tourists are given the opportunity to visit the prison cells and the courtyard.
The Cape of Good Hope is a popular attraction for tourists traveling to Cape Town, South Africa. It is a wonderful place with unpredictable weather, baboons and adorable penguins playing in the ocean. Here you can fully enjoy the stunning landscapes and the wealth of wildlife.
Description and location
Upland on the Cape Peninsula, located on the world map near Cape Town. It is mistakenly considered the southernmost point of the mainland and the place where the Atlantic and Indian oceans meet. In fact, the tip is located at Cape Agulhas (Agulhas), located on the South African Gardens Road, 200 km from the capital of South Africa.
The cold Bengal Current on the west coast and the warm Agulhas Current merge at the foot of one of Africa's top attractions, which, along with nearby Cape Point, offers breathtaking scenery.
The summit is located 70 km from Cape Town... You can get from the city by car in an hour and a half. Legend has it that the ghosts of the Flying Dutchman's crew inhabit the promontory and its waters, although visiting tourists are much more likely to see penguins, antelopes, and possibly a southern whale.
The geographical coordinates of the cape are 54 ° 31'08 ″ north latitude and 42 ° 04′15 ″ east longitude. Elevation: 93 m
origin of name
The historical fact why the Cape of Good Hope is so called is quite interesting. It dates from the time of exploration in the 15th century, when the European powers - Spain and Portugal, sent sailors to unknown places in search of wealth. The first European to see and discover the cape was the Portuguese explorer Bartolomeo Dias, who was looking for the southern borders of the African continent. The date of the expedition headed by him is 1486.
According to some historical sources, Dias called his discovery "Cape of Storms" (Cabo das Tormentas), but later changed it to the current name of the cape (Cabo da Boa Esperança), named after the proposal of King John II of Portugal because of the trade opportunities that brought this place. According to other sources, Diash himself came up with this name. He was from a family of hereditary sailors. His older brothers, moving south along the coast of West Africa, discovered the Bohador and Green capes.
Cape history
It took 9 years before Vasco da Gama, another Portuguese sailor, also attempted to travel to the southern tip of Africa on his way to India. The sailors met with people from the Khoya tribe, and several of Vasco da Gama's crew were injured in the collision. Other important facts in the history of this area are:
- Although the Portuguese were the first to travel the cape, they were not seriously interested in southern Africa. They feared the indigenous population, and the weather was sometimes treacherous and dangerous.
- Some early Portuguese sailors chose not to sail around the area. In addition, when it comes to trade, South Africa had very little to offer: gold had not yet been discovered, and the land seemed desolate and hopeless.
- In June 1580, nearly 100 years later, Sir Francis Drake sailed past the Cape. He was on a trip around the world commissioned by Elizabeth I of England. The weather was calm and the landscape was serene. This view inspired Sir Francis Drake to utter the following words: "This cape is the grandest thing and the fairest cape that we have seen in the entire circumference of the earth." More British expeditions followed, and soon other European countries followed in their footsteps.
- In the first half of the 17th century, the British and Dutch used the route that was supposed to go around the cape for trade purposes. Danish and French ships made stops to replenish water supplies and stock up on fresh food.
- While English, French and Dutch East Indian companies played with the idea of \u200b\u200bestablishing a base on the Cape in the 17th century, it was the Dutch who finally took the first step.
On December 31, 1687, a group of Huguenots was sent to the cape from the Netherlands. They fled France to avoid religious persecution. The Dutch East India Company needed skilled farmers on the Cape, and the Dutch government saw opportunities for the Huguenots by sending them there.
Cape of Good Hope plays an important role in South African history as a stopping point for merchant ships sailing between Europe and the European colonies to the east. Initially, Europeans traded with locals for food and water, but in April 6, 1652, the Dutch East India Company, led by merchant Jan van Riebeck, established a small supply station in a sheltered bay beyond the Cape Peninsula, forming the first European settlement in the region.
On January 19, 1806, Great Britain occupied the extreme point of the peninsula. It was ceded to Great Britain in the Anglo-Dutch treaty of 1814 and was henceforth administered as Cape Colonia.
Today, the small station that provided refreshments to tired sailors has become the bustling city of Cape Town.
Vegetable world
The Cape Peninsula is one of eight protected areas in the region jointly recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its rich flora. Although the 553,000 hectares of the Cape Flower Region account for only 0.5% of Africa's area, it contains nearly 20% of the continent's plant life. Finbosch, or "beautiful bush", is the most common category of plants found here, and many species are unique to the peninsula.
The promontory is part of Table Mountain National Park, and park rangers can be seen working to remove invasive species such as wattle, pine and blue gum that threaten the survival of native plants.
wild nature
The peninsula is rich in wildlife, especially birds. On its shores, the gannet, the African black oyster hunter and 4 species of cormorants live. But the most famous feathered creatures are the penguins on Boulders Beach. Tourists can see up close one of the few colonies on the mainland in False Bay. There are special paths that lead through the natural habitat of the penguins, and if you visit this place between February and August, you can also see fluffy chicks.
Cape Mountain Zebra is rare in these areas... But the more common inhabitants are baboons, several species of antelope and the little furry dassi, the closest relative of the elephant. You can also watch whale and dolphins here.
Activities and activities
One of the main attractions of South Africa is a narrow peninsula overlooking the ocean. But such a location implies wind and unpredictable weather. However, the landscape that opens to visitors will not leave anyone indifferent:
- The coastline meets the clouds with occasional glimpses of the sun, creating a dramatic landscape. While here, you can watch the roaming zebras. In addition, it is a great spot for whale watching between June and November.
- Climb the lighthouse for the best views of the cape. There are 3 ways to get to the top. A path with long stone stairs runs along the coastline. This route offers the best views of the coast. There is a road from the car park all the way to the top. The ascent is fairly easy and not very strenuous. For those who do not want or do not have the opportunity to walk, there is the Flying Dutchman funicular, which will take you to the observation deck in 3 minutes for a small fee.
- A drive along the Cape Peninsula is one of the favorite additions to the tourist itinerary in Cape Town. Highlights of the day trip are the southern points of the headland, and the stunning sea cliffs and ocean views will make tourists feel like they are on the edge of the earth.
The best places
Muizenberg Beach. Muizenberg is a beachfront suburb of Cape Town known for its white sandy coastline and very colorful houses that adorn it. The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are an added bonus and attract surfers to this place.
Simons Town and Boulders Beach. Simons Town is a historic and charming naval town on False Bay, and Boulders Beach is famous for its African penguin colony. Thousands of individuals go about their daily activities: cleaning their wings, looking after their children. Walking through Boulders Beach takes place on a wooden plank. If you want to get close to the penguins, you need to go further along the sand dunes to Foxy Beach, but keep in mind that penguins can be aggressive, and if you get too close, you can experience how sharp their beaks are.
Cape Point. This summit can be reached by driving just over 1 km east of the main promontory. It is here that the Flying Dutchman funicular is located, overlooking the lighthouse.
Chapman's Peak Drive. Nothing beats the windswept Atlantic coastline, and Chapman's Peak provides the ocean road with the most breathtaking views. This toll freeway is carved into the rock and has nearly vertical inclines and blind bends. It begins at the fishing village of Hout Bay and continues to Cape Chapman and then ends at Nordhoek. The ocean views are incredible along the route, but the best are from Cape Chapman, the highest point on the road.
Bartolomeo Dias, a Portuguese navigator, was the first to circumnavigate the cape in 1488. When he returned, he stopped at the southwestern tip of Africa and named it Cape of Tempests. But King John II of Portugal renamed it the Cape of Good Hope. This cape was circled in 1497 by Vasco da Gama's ship on the way to India. The daring voyages of Portuguese sailors made it possible to lay a sea route around the cape, then regular voyages began, however, due to the deceptive coastline and dangerous fogs, these places have seen many shipwrecks.
In order to reduce the risk of possible disasters, it was decided to build a lighthouse on the cape. The first lighthouse was built in 1857 at 238 m above sea level, but it turned out to be so high that fog and clouds cover it for more than 900 hours a year. After the Portuguese liner Lusitania was wrecked in 1911, the lighthouse was relocated and built just 87 meters above sea level. Construction work began in 1913 and continued for almost six years due to the difficulty of delivering building materials here and adverse weather conditions. The lighthouse is the most powerful on the coast of South Africa. Visible at a distance of 63 km, it emits three flashes of light every 30 seconds with a power of 10 million candles.
The area around the lighthouse
On the shore around the lighthouse, you can still see the remains of 26 ships that failed to round the cape. One of the most famous shipwrecks was the wreck of the Thomas T. Tucker, one of hundreds of ships built by the United States of America to help the Allies transport supplies during World War II. On the first voyage, the ship lost its course due to fog and hit the rocks.
The scenic area around the lighthouse consists of green hills, through which trails are laid down to secluded beaches, where elan antelopes, baboons, ostriches and bonteboks, antelopes of bright colors, are found. From this side of the cape, it is difficult even to imagine how many tragedies happened very close.
