South Africa Guide
Cape Town
Table Mountain National Park – Cape of Good Hope
Most people come to the Cape of Good Hope section of the Table Mountain National Park (daily: April– Sept 7am–5pm; Oct– March 6am–6pm; R55, children R10; 
021 780 9100, 
www.tmnp.co.za ) to see the southernmost tip of Africa and the place where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet at Cape Point. In fact, it's the site of neither: the continent's real tip is at Cape Agulhas, some 300km southeast of here but Cape Point is a lot easier to get to and an awesomely dramatic spot, which should on no account be missed. The reserve sits atop massive sea cliffs with huge views, strong seas, and an even wilder wind, which whips off caps and sunglasses as visitors gaze southwards from the old lighthouse buttress.
There's no public transport to the reserve, although you can charter a Simon's Town Rikki ( 021 786 2136) there and back. To drive there, take the M3 to Muizenberg, continuing on the M4 via Simon's Town to the reserve gates, where you'll be given a good map that marks the main driving and walking routes, as well as the tidal pools and other facilities. Go as early as you can in the day to avoid tour buses and the likelihood of the wind gusting more strongly as the day progresses. Worth a look is the Buffelsfontein Visitors' Centre (daily 7.30am–5pm; 021 780 9204), 8km from the entrance gate, which has attractive displays about the local fauna and flora as well as video screenings on the ecology of the area.