Scarborough a little further on is a beautiful seaside town where you will find some lovely small seafood restaurants should you want a bite to eat. When low tide is in, go and obtain a mussel permit from the post office and collect some fresh in from the Atlantic.
Your first true ‘attraction’ can be found as you head towards the Peninsula’s tip where you will pick up signs for the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. This is a ‘must-do’ activity on any itinerary. The reserve is home to many animals including springboks, zebras, baboons, elands and also endangered plant species such as the extremely rare Fynbos. The reserve is also home to many bird species also and if lucky, you may spot the famous African Fish Eagles native to these parts. If you are feeling energetic, go on one of the scenic hiking trails, which truly uncovers the heart of this natural paradise. The Thomas Tucker Shipwreck Walk is particularly excellent, taking you along the coast to a boat shipwrecked in 1942 carrying military supplies to other parts of Africa.
Cape Point’s tip at Cape Maclear is next, with its name living up to its nature thanks to the awesome views across False Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs upon which you gaze out from are among some of the highest in the world. The Two Oceans restaurant here is an ideal spot to sit down for a meal if you haven’t done so already.
This incredible journey continues as you head for the eastern side of the Peninsula at Boulders Beach, where you will see the famous colony of African Penguins congregating en-masse at the cliff edge and in the water.
The historic settlement of Simon’s Town draws you closer to Cape Town, where you will find the 200 year old navy base and South African Naval Museum. The town is a worthwhile stopping point if looking to do a spot of shopping with a number of craft stores on hand to provide you with the ideal momento of this journey.
The South East Coast
Just two hours drive from Cape Town are the Bontekbok National Park and the De Hoop Nature Reserve, where you will be able to partake in some whale watching and of course bontebok.
Bontebok National Park is found 6km from the town of Swellendam along the N2 highway, which clearly signposts the park for the majority of the route. Once at the park, you can either drive around the designated gravel routes or go on a walking trail. Here you will find around 300 of the rare Bontebok in the park. Before the park was opened, only 17 remained alive due to over-hunting. Now there are around 3000 on the planet thanks to the work that has been done by the park to keep them from extinction. Bonteboks aren’t the only creatures here of course. The park also boasts red hartebeests, mountain zebras and antelopes as well as a variety of birdlife, with more than 200 different species calling the park.
De Hoop Nature Reserve nearby – although small in size compared to many reserves – is home to some incredibly rare animals and is worth the two hour drive from Cape Town alone to go whale watching. The Southern Right Whales pass through here during the watching season (July to December), with ten or more whales sometimes viewable as you stand on the beach within the reserve. De Hoop is also home to big herds of Bontebok as well as elands, antelopes, baboons and a large number of birds. There are also a number of reptiles such as tortoises and snakes and should you be remarkably lucky, you may spot the occasional leopard!
The car is truly the star when visiting Cape Town, simply because of the wonder that surrounds, with two of the world’s greatest drives literally on your doorstep. Here is your guide to the points of interest outside of Cape Town no visit should go without: