Commonly called Cape Point, this 7750-hectare section of Table Mountain National Park, includes awesome scenery, fantastic walks and often deserted beaches. Some 250 species of birds live here, including cormorants and a family of ostriches that hang out near the Cape of Good Hope, the southwesternmost point of the continent.

Many people visit on organised bus tours but, if you have the time, exploring the reserve on foot or by bicycle is much more rewarding. Bear in mind, though, that there is minimal shade and that the weather can change quickly. Bookings are required for the two-day Cape of Good Hope Trail, a spectacular 33.8km circular route with one night spent at the basic Protea and Restio huts. Contact the Buffelfontein Visitors Centre for further details.

It’s not a hard walk uphill, but if you’re feeling lazy the Flying Dutchman Funicular runs up from beside the restaurant to the souvenir kiosk next to the old lighthouse, dating from 1860. A 1km trail runs from here to its successor. Ignore the signs: it takes less than 30 minutes to walk along a spectacular ridgeway path to look down on the new lighthouse and the sheer cliffs plunging into the pounding ocean.