This 77.5 square kilometer section of Table Mountain National Park offers spectacular scenery, spectacular walks, spectacular bird watching and often deserted beaches. The reserve is commonly called Cape Point, after its most dramatic (but less well-known) promontory. Bookings are required for the two-day Cape of Good Hope Trail, a spectacular 33.8km circular route with one night spent in a basic hut. Contact the Buffelsfontein Visitor Center for more details.
About 250 species of birds have been spotted here, including cormorants and a family of ostriches that roost near the Cape of Good Hope promontory, the continent’s most southwestern point.
There are many bus tours of the reserve but, if you have time, it is more worthwhile to hike or cycle through it. Keep in mind, though, that there is minimal shade and the weather can change quickly.
It’s not a difficult walk to the top, but if you’re feeling lazy, take the Flying Dutchman Funicular, which runs past the restaurant to the souvenir kiosk. The Old Lighthouse (Dated 1859). From here to its successor, a 1 km route runs. It takes less than 30 minutes to walk along a spectacular ridgeway to look down on the new lighthouse and see the sheer cliffs plunging into the sea.