Plan your trip

GETTING THERE

It’s self-driving or a tour. The City Sightseeing Red Bus is a no-frills option – day tours R740 pp, citysightseeing.co.za. If you want to explore on foot, get a Slingsby Cape Point map (R190, slingsbymaps.com).

NEED TO KNOW

Daily conservation fees are R76 per adult, R39 per child. Gate times are sacrosanct: 6am–6pm summer, 7am– 5pm winter. Many prefer day hiking in winter when it’s cooler and less windy (and it can get very windy!). There are roadworks on the reserve’s main road until early 2020, with a stop/go system in place. For uninterrupted exploring, pack a picnic or padkos (just don’t be tempted to share it with the baboons). 021-780-9204, sanparks.org

DO THIS

Get the sailors’ view. Book an entertaining, two-hour Cape Point cruise with the Simon’s Town Boat Company. It also offers whalewatching and Seal Island trips. Daily, subject to weather. R660 pp, 083-257-7760, boatcompany.co.za Explore on foot. There are several hiking trails; get maps for R5 at the Buffelsfontein Visitors Centre. But if you want to walk and talk and learn, Dominic Chadbon (The Fynbos Guy) is seriously knowledgeable. From R2 600 for a half-day hike for two, including transport and snacks. 072-992-5636, thefynbosguy.com Do an overnight hike. The two-day Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail takes in the periphery of the entire reserve (33,8km); you stay in a cottage at Rooikrans. R318 pp. sanparks.org Ride a bike. This is permitted along the tar roads (lots of traffic, though) and a 3km jeep track. Awol Tours offers a Cape Point ride, with other Peninsula sights, from R2 880 pp for two. awoltours.co.za

Swim in the sea. The False Bay side is best – at Venus Pool, Bordjiesdrift and Buffels Bay (the latter two are also braai sites). Swimming is at your own risk; the only place where it is specifically prohibited is Dias Beach.

STAY & EAT HERE

Olifantsbos self-catering cottage is very comfortable and the location is impossible to beat – on the beach. From R3 622 for four, R686 pp extra (sleeps six, plus six more in an annex).

Duiker and Eland are cottages, inland in the north of the reserve (near the old entry gate). From R1 150 for four, R263 pp extra (sleep six).

Smitswinkel Tented Camp is just across the road from the entrance. Staying here means you can get into the park earlier than other visitors. From R722 for two (sleeps 12).

Book for all of the above with SANParks. 012-428-9111, sanparks.org

Two Oceans Restaurant at Cape Point has a glorious view. Last lunch orders are taken at 4.15pm. From R295 for two courses. 021-780-9200