Cape of Good Hope

Despite its harsh reputation among early navigators as a "Cape of Storms", the Cape of Good Hope is also a place of gentleness, tranquility and alluring beauty.

The legendary Cape Point and Cape of Good Hope form part of the Nature Reserve and Cape Peninsula Park managed by the South African National Parks. The Cape of Good Hope is a scenic wonder, where beaches alternate with rugged stretches of rock and breathtaking cliffs. The cliffs at Cape Point are among the highest coastal cliffs in the world.

The Cape Fynbos (Afrikaans for "fine bush"), has earned international recognition as one of the world's six Floral Kingdoms, albeit definitely the smallest. The location of the Reserve at the tip of the continent where two oceans meet, accompanied by the prevailing strong winds and the sandstone soil all influence the unique Cape Fynbos flora found in this area.

As a nature reserve, there is a wealth of insects, tortoises, snakes, lizards and frogs within the Reserve, smaller animals include the Lynx, Cape Grey Mongoose and Dassies, whiles the larger species include Cape Mountain Zebra, Eland, Cape Grysbok, Red Hartebeest, Bontebok and Grey Rhebuck. There are approximately 250 species of birds, ranging from the large Black Eagle down to the tiny Spotted Prinia.

During winter and spring the Southern Right Whales return to our waters to mate and give birth to their calves.

The Chacma Baboon troops on the Cape Peninsula are the only protected population of this species in Africa. While they feed mainly on fruits, roots, bulbs, honey, insects and scorpions, they may be seen roaming the beaches during low tide, seeking sand hoppers and shellfish.

History

In 1488, Bartholomew Dias named the Peninsula Cabo Tormentoso, ( the Cape of Storms). King John II of Portugal later gave it the name Cabo da Boa Esperanca (the Cape of Good Hope). In 1580, Sir Frances Drake proclaimed it to be "the most stately thing and the fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth."

In 1860, the first lighthouse was erected at Cape Point. However, due to its high location 238m above sea level, it was often obscured by clouds and mist. When the Portuguese liner, the "Lusitania", was wrecked in 1911, the lighthouse was relocated to its current position above Dias Point, only 87m above sea level.

In the 17th century a Dutch Captain, Hendrick van der Decken, attempted to round the Cape in strong headwinds. Mysteriously his ship and crew disappeared, and legend now tells of the ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman", which has allegedly been sighted around Cape Point.

More information please feel free to contact us at info@ebubeleni.com we can facilitate your arrangements, and take you on Guided Tour of Cape Town and The Cape of Good Hope.   

Transfers to and from your B & B, Guesthouse, Lodge or Hotel, should you not be staying with us at "Ebubeleni", can be arranged.