Roland W. Kunz / 500px

Cape of Good Hope

Top choice in Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula


This 77.5-sq-km section of Table Mountain National Park includes awesome scenery, fantastic walks, great birdwatching and often-deserted beaches. The reserve is commonly referred to as Cape Point, after its most dramatic (but less famous) 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 Centre for further details.

Some 250 species of birds have been spotted here, including cormorants and a family of ostriches that hang out near the Cape of Good Hope promontory, the southwestern-most point of the continent.

There are many bus tours to the reserve but, if you have the time, hiking or cycling through it is much more rewarding. Bear in mind, though, that there is minimal shade and that the weather can change quickly.

It’s not a hard walk uphill, but if you’re feeling lazy take the Flying Dutchman Funicular, which runs up from beside the restaurant to the souvenir kiosk next to the old lighthouse (which dates from 1859). A 1km trail runs from here to its successor. 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.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula attractions

1. Buffels Bay

2.74 MILES

This sheltered bay within the Cape Point section of Table Mountain National Park offers sweeping views across False Bay and a sea pool for safe swimming.

2. Cape Point Ostrich Farm

7.14 MILES

There’s ostriches aplenty at this family-run farm, restaurant and tourist complex just 500m from Cape Point’s main gate. Regular tours of the breeding…

3. Boulders Penguin Colony

11.12 MILES

This picturesque area, with enormous boulders dividing small, sandy coves, is home to a colony of some 3000 delightful African penguins. A boardwalk runs…

4. Just Nuisance's Grave

11.43 MILES

The grave of this famous local Great Dane, who was adopted as a navy mascot in WWII, makes for a pleasant (but uphill) walk from the harbour, with good…

5. Simon's Town Mosque

11.48 MILES

This handsome, still functioning mosque was rebuilt in the late 1920s. The original was constructed in 1888, and there also used to be a madrasa (Islamic…

6. Heritage Museum

11.54 MILES

Simon’s Town had a 7000-strong community of people of colour before apartheid forcibly removed most of them, mainly to the suburb of Ocean’s View, over on…

7. Just Nuisance Statue

11.56 MILES

Immortalised in bronze in 1985 by artist Jean Doyle, this famous local canine mascot lived from 1937 to 1944 and is fondly remembered for befriending…

8. South African Naval Museum

11.66 MILES

Principally for naval enthusiasts, this museum nonetheless has plenty of interesting exhibits, including model ships and submarines, uniforms and a life…