Cape of Good Hope and African Penguins. South Africa

The Cape of Good Hope is located on the Cape Peninsula, in the south of Cape Town, South Africa. The Cape of Good Hope is not the southernmost point of the entire continent, but here the coastline turns east and opens a passage from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.

Coordinates of the Cape of Good Hope:

34 ° 21'33 ″ south latitude

18 ° 28'21 ″ east longitude

Cape of Good Hope Facts:

1. Table Mountain is located on the Cape of Good Hope.
2. The legend of the Flying Dutchman is directly related to this place.
3. Not far from the Cape of Good Hope is the island of fur seals.
4. It is an integral part of all tourist travel in South Africa.
5. The Cape of Good Hope was discovered by a Portuguese named Bartolomeo Dias.
6. It was discovered in 1488.
7. The Cape of Good Hope was originally called the Cape of Storms.
8. Storms are frequent here, supplied by the Atlantic Ocean.
9. In fact, the most extreme point of Africa is Cape Agulhas.
10. For the first time, the wreck of a steamer attracted attention to the Cape of Good Hope.
11. There is a national park not far from the Cape of Good Hope.

The Cape of Good Hope is in the list: cities

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The southwestern tip of Africa - the Cape of Good Hope - is located quite far from central Cape Town. This is a whole peninsula, where public transport does not go. Cape Town is located on the "Atlantic" edge of the peninsula. The location of Cape Town was chosen due to its convenient bay and relatively sheltered climate. Table Mountain, as it were, covers it from the cold southerly winds blowing from Antarctica.

Practically speaking, I was advised to rent a car or Uber to visit the Cape. I didn't want to take the car just because of this, and I stumbled upon a much simpler solution - the red City Tours buses, as it turned out, have an additional tour that goes to the very end of the peninsula. This tour departs from the center, rounds Table Mountain through District 6, and then travels south along the east bank. Something like this looks like the coast of the Indian Ocean, going east and left behind.

And the first stop is the penguin colony at Boulders Beach. The first penguin is already saying hello:

Here the guys are resting in the shade:

Well, here the real penguin expanse already begins:

This comrade seems to be posing:

A crowd of tourists who are fortunately separated from the penguins themselves:

I look back and I am greeted by the following views:

Finally I reach the highest point here - the observation deck at the lighthouse on the top of the mountain. Mandatory distance indicators in such a place:

And finally, a look ahead - at the Cape of Good Hope itself.

The rocks over there, in the distance, cost the lives and property of countless sailors. Often storms raging here carried ships away from the cape and the sailors took these rocks for the Cape of Good Hope - and entered the bay, which they took for Cape Town Bay. This bay is so named - False Bay - because because of the prevailing winds here it is almost impossible to get out of it on a sailing ship.

And I decided to go down slightly, towards the path that leads to the very tip of the cape.

She wags up and down, but I didn't have time to get to the end.

But there was time to wander on the other side of the cape - from where far more dramatic views open up.

Here's an eye sharpness test - can you spot a horned animal?

Cape of Good Hope.

A couple of days later, I got on a plane and flew from Cape Town to Johannesburg, where I rented a car. By now, I have already driven 2300 kilometers on it across South Africa, visited the Kruger National Park, the Kingdom of Swaziland and the mountain kingdom of Lesotho! I am writing these lines in Johannesburg. To be continued!

Cape Town is located in the Republic of South Africa, on the Cape Peninsula, near the Cape of Good Hope. The city center is occupied by mansions and buildings of old Dutch architecture, built in the Victorian style. But there are relatively few of them. They are sandwiched on one side by Table Bay and on the other by Table Mountain.

Cape Town is often the final destination for South African tours that include:

Photo hunting in the national park,

There are many attractions and attractions in this South African city, but the main ones are the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, which take your breath away for many travelers who have been there.

Cape of Good Hope

In the 15th century, the Cape of Good Hope served as the embodiment of the dreams of Portuguese sailors looking for a way to India. It was originally called the Cape of Tempests, but under King João II, this point on the Cape Peninsula was renamed. Now the Cape of Good Hope is famous for its landscapes, attracting millions of tourists. The cape is the most extreme southwestern point of Africa, which is confirmed by scientists. On the site in front of this place there is an indication with the exact coordinates.

Ocean shore near Cape Town.

Cape nature reserve

The road to the Cape of Good Hope passes through the nature reserve of the same name. It is distinguished by dense thickets of various plants that interfere with walking. Their highest density is observed on the Cape Peninsula, so you can't do without a car here.

The reserve covers an area of ​​over 7,000 hectares. In it, along with the rarest representatives of the flora, there are also such unique for Africa representatives of the fauna as penguins. It is especially unusual to see them next to antelopes and cheetahs, since they are associated only with the coldest parts of the planet. However, this is not a mirage. Penguins reached Africa from Antarctica. Previously, penguins walked around the reserve, but then a separate area was allocated for them, called Boulders Beach.

Penguins at the Cape of Good Hope.

Lighthouse

The lighthouse was built in 1860, and now it is one of the main attractions of the cape. It rises 240 meters above sea level and is considered the highest in South Africa. There is an observation deck on the lighthouse. It is arranged at an altitude of 200 meters, and you can climb it either by cable car or on foot. Nearby there is a souvenir shop and a restaurant with a terrace offering amazing views.

From here, tourists can see two oceans at once: one side of the cape is washed by the waters of the Atlantic, and on the other - the Indian. Taking a closer look, you will notice that they differ from each other in color.

Beaches

At the Cape of Good Hope, there is an opportunity to relax on the beach. The swimming season usually begins in September: at this time, sunny weather sets, and a good tan is guaranteed. The season ends in May.

On one of Cape Town's beaches.

Moreover, the coast has some climatic features. For example, the western side is characterized by a mild climate, sandy shores, peace and quiet. Here are the beaches. It is warmer in the east, but strong winds blowing there make it difficult to swim, so tourists in this part of the coast prefer only to sit on the shore and admire the ocean.

Tours

The excursion to the Cape of Good Hope most often includes a visit to the reserve and the coast of penguins. But besides them, there are other sights worth seeing. For example, on the coast of the so-called "False Bay" a road has been laid to the town of Simonstown, where the base of the British Royal Navy was located in the past.

Of interest to tourists is the island of fur seals, with an area of ​​4 square kilometers, which has a rather turbulent history. Since the 17th century, it has housed a prison, hospital and military base. It was on this island that Nelson Mandella, the future president of South Africa, was imprisoned.

In 1999, UNESCO ranked the island as a World Heritage Site. A museum dedicated to the history of the state was opened there. Tourists are offered guided tours of the cells and the prison courtyard.

Table mountain

This is the main attraction of Cape Town itself, without which it is impossible to imagine this South African city. Table Mountain, or Table Mountain, is recognized as a symbol of the city and is included in the UNESCO heritage list. It rises to 1087 meters.

Table Mountain view from Cape Town Harbor.

The first of the Europeans to climb this summit was the Portuguese sailor Antonio de Saldanha. In those days, Table Mountain was covered with centuries-old hardwood trees. They were used in the construction of a wooden fort for a new settlement. Usually the mountains end with pointed tops, but at Mount Table the top is flat, like a table top, which is why the mountain got its name.

Most of the time, Table Mountain is covered by clouds, so not all tourists manage to get on it. Due to weather conditions, the city authorities may prohibit the climb to the top in order to avoid any accidents with travelers. And the weather in Cape Town is unstable, and the reason for this is the warm and cold currents of the Indian and Atlantic oceans, which are found in this place. When the mountain is covered by thick cloud masses, the townspeople say that it is covered with a tablecloth.

Many legends are associated with this phenomenon. According to one of them, one of the local residents, whose name was Fan Hunks, smoked tobacco with such a foul smell that the townspeople drove him to the mountain slopes. There he met the devil, who invited him to arrange a competition: who will smoke whom. Hunks accepted the offer. They lit a cigarette, and their smoke covered the entire mountain. Since then, the people of Cape Town have referred to this legend when they see Mount Table covered with a white "tablecloth".

When the weather is fine, clear, you can climb to its top using the cable car. This mountain is considered the best observation deck, it is included in the list of the ten most visited places by tourists around the world. There are observation telescopes, a souvenir shop and a restaurant. The entire Cape Town is surveyed from here. But the view from the top of the mountain during sunset, when the horizon merges with the ocean, is especially fascinating for travelers.

While walking along Table Mountain, tourists will meet many representatives of the local fauna and flora. There are approximately 1,470 plant species, including the protea, recognized as a true symbol of South Africa.

Several peaks adjoin Table Mountain, which are part of the Peninsula National Park. These are Devil's Peak, Lion's Head and Mount of the Twelve Apostles.

In addition to visiting the Cape of Good Hope and Table Mountain, in Cape Town you should definitely try wines from the Cape region, which are famous far beyond Africa and are highly valued by many gourmets and wine connoisseurs all over the world. And also take a couple of surf lessons on the most famous surf beach in South Africa.

It is the embodiment of the hopes of Portuguese sailors who were looking for a way to India in the 15th century. It was originally nicknamed the Cape of Tempest, but King João II was very superstitious and issued a decree to rename it.

Today the cape is the most important strategic site of the region. Previously, it was a reference point for merchant ships traveling from Europe to the Far East. Now it is a popular tourist destination, and millions of travelers from all over the world come to admire its landscapes every year.

Cape of Good Hope: description, photo, video

Despite the euphonious name, this section of the African coastal zone cannot be called calm. Severe sea storms and hurricanes often occur at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, aided by two deep-sea currents colliding in the vicinity of the peninsula. For many centuries, these places were dangerous for navigation, just like in, even modern ships pass this section very difficult. Only experienced sailors could cope with the power of the elements.

Quite often, the Cape of Good Hope is called the extreme point of Africa in the south, but this is not entirely true. Geographically, a similar status belongs to Cape Agolny, which stretches 200 kilometers towards the southeast. The Cape of Good Hope is rather a "psychological" mark, crossing which, the traveler moves more eastward than southward. It rises 250 meters above sea level, making it one of the largest coastal cliffs in the world.

The Cape of Good Hope in South Africa has dense vegetation with low shrubs. Its entire territory, as well as the main part of the Cape Peninsula, are part of the Table Mountain National Park. The climate here is harsh, wild and practically untouched by man. It is with this feature that it attracts tourists.

The total area of ​​the protected area covers more than 7 thousand hectares. There are fantastic deserted beaches and majestic cliffs that gaze into the vast expanses of the ocean. The amazing landscapes of Cape Dobroi Nadezhny, as they fascinate in the photo, but it's better to see them in reality. A huge number of seabirds live on the coast, among which penguins are especially interesting. As for the vegetation, among the great variety, it is full of endemics that are not found anywhere else in the world.

Where is the Cape of Good Hope

This attraction is located on the territory of the Republic of South Africa in the Western Cape. To be more precise, where the Cape of Good Hope is located, it stretches 50 kilometers from Cape Town, in the area of ​​another cape called Cape Point. This territory is notable for the fact that there is a so-called passage between two oceans - the Indian and the Atlantic.

Distance from major cities:

• Pretoria - 1,340 kilometers;
• Johannesburg - 1,397 kilometers

The coordinates of the Cape of Good Hope on the map:

• Latitude - 34 ° 21 ′ 32 ″
• Longitude - 18 ° 28 ′ 21 ″

Cape of Good Hope on the map

How to get to the Cape of Good Hope

The natural landmark is far enough away from civilization. You can get here from Cape Town, where there are many flights from Johannesburg and other cities. It should be noted that different airlines operate flights only on certain days. The cost of a ticket depends on the distance - from major cities in South Africa it varies between $ 50-200, from other countries, respectively, more expensive.

How to get from Cape Town to the Cape of Good Hope:

The first option is suitable for those who have a driver's license, in the city you can rent a car for up to $ 120 per day, travel time is about 1.5 hours. You can also take a bus, there are two daily departures to the cape - in the morning and at lunchtime. The landing point in Cape Town is Green Market Square, the buses leave at 13:00 and 17:15, the price of a one-way ticket is 7-8 dollars.

When is the best time to visit

Since the territory is under protection, the Cape of Good Hope has a certain working schedule. In summer it is open to visitors until 6 pm, in winter - until 5. There are practically no days off. There are several beaches on the coast where you can come to relax and sunbathe. Many beaches are wild, so here you can get away from tourists. The cape is great for families.

The swimming season here begins in September and lasts until May. At this time, the weather is warm and sunny. In winter, and here it lasts from June to the end of July, it is cool here and strong winds blow. This time is suitable only for true extreme lovers who cannot be scared by huge waves.

Features of visiting the Cape of Good Hope

Has an official website where you can find out a lot of useful information. The cost of visiting the park is approximately $ 11. There is a 50% discount for children under 11 years old. The Flying Dutchman funicular operates on the territory. It received this name due to the fact that the mysterious ship of the same name is most often visible from it.

According to legend, in the 17th century, a captain sold his soul to the devil to get out of the storm. As a result, the ship and the crew members were cursed and forced to sail forever in the ocean, appearing in front of the sailors with whom misfortune should have happened. One-way fare on the funicular is $ 4, and for children under 16 years old - $ 1.5.

Cape of Good Hope how to get there on your own

Vehicles that do not have time to leave the parking lot before the closure of the park are subject to a fine. Littering is also prohibited in the park. There is a restaurant in the park where you can have a bite to eat with local dishes, as well as several outlets where you can buy souvenirs and other products. However, it is better to stock up on food and water in advance. You should also take a camera with you - beautiful pictures are guaranteed.

What to see in the vicinity

One of the main attractions of the cape is the lighthouse. It was built in the second half of the 19th century. The lighthouse rises 240 meters, so it can be seen from almost anywhere in the neighborhood. It is the largest in South Africa. Today it does not function and is more valuable from an aesthetic point of view, being an excellent observation deck. You can get here on foot or by cable car.

From the observation deck, you can simultaneously admire the waters of the two oceans, which, by the way, differ from each other in color. On the coast of False Bay, there is a winding trail in the mountains that leads to the small town of Simonstown. Once upon a time, the Royal Navy of Britain was stationed here.

Another must-see is the island of fur seals. On 4 square kilometers there is a closed military base and a prison in which Nelson Mandela was serving his sentence. Now there is a museum here, where you can learn the history of South Africa. Also, tourists are given the opportunity to visit the prison cells and the courtyard.

The Cape of Good Hope is one of the most famous places in Africa. For a long time it was considered the extreme southern point of the continent, until it became clear that the neighboring Cape Agulhas was several meters to the south. But by that time, the Cape of Good Hope had gained worldwide fame, and is still popular among tourists.

In the first part of the post I will talk about him, and in the second - about the most unusual inhabitants of Africa. Oddly enough, penguins live on the black continent and, we went to the coast, where their colonies nest (or rather even burrow) ...

These stones in the water are the end of the Cape of Good Hope:

3.

There is a parking lot on the shore nearby, which can be accessed by car. What we did:

4.

After it was discovered that there was a mistake with the southern point, the Cape of Good Hope was assigned a different honorary category, calling it the most southwestern point of the continent. This is indicated by the inscription on the plate, next to which everyone is photographed.

For the first time I saw how a large group of tourists was taking pictures: everyone put their cameras in a line in front of the guide, and he shoots in turn with each camera. It turns out such a photographic conveyor for fifteen minutes:

5.

Nearby there is a walking path to the cape itself:

6.

Somewhere the path goes along the ground, and somewhere there are wooden stairs. They have many black lizards that look like miniature crocodiles:

View from Cape of Hope on the coast of South Africa:

8.

The most fearless tourists are photographed with their legs dangling from a cliff:

9.

And I just took off my legs against the background of the cliff to show how steep it is:

10.

Regular readers know that I love to be photographed in different places, bouncing a star. The Cape of Good Hope is no exception:

11.

The neighboring mountain, Cape Point, is significantly higher than the Cape of Good Hope and can be climbed by funicular. Our random fellow travelers in the carriage turned out to be Russian-speaking too:

12.

There are three lighthouses on this mountain - at the highest point, somewhere in the middle and below by the sea. Only the latter works, since both upper ones are poorly visible in foggy weather:

13.

Nevertheless, the tall lighthouse is popular with tourists, as it offers an excellent view of the Cape of Good Hope:

14.

On the observation deck, there is a traditional indicator of distances to major cities in the world. I did not find Moscow there:

15.

A beautiful view of the meeting of two oceans - the Atlantic (right) and Indian (left). Their currents are so strong that not far from the coast they collide with each other and form a white seething seam on the calm water surface. Before the Cape was given the name of Good Hope, the first European navigator named it the Cape of Streams:

16.

The water element is also raging at the foot:

17.

I took this picture of Cape and Cape Point a day later from Table Mountain - another famous hill in South Africa (I'll talk about it in detail in one of the following posts):

18.

After the Cape of Good Hope, we went for a bite to eat not far from the penguin beach. Street performers danced near its entrance:

19.

On the coast, where penguins live, there is something like a small nature reserve. Having paid five euros for the entrance, you find yourself on long bridges, behind which birds walk:

20.

There are enough people who want to see African penguins:

21.

There are also a lot of penguins. They live in burrows, go to sea for fish and come back to feed their offspring:

22.

This type of penguin is called spectacled or donkey. Why the donkey is understandable: it makes sounds similar to a donkey's mooing. Why spectacled is not clear:

23.

Spectacled penguins are listed in the International Red Book and Red Book of South Africa. This is due to the uncontrolled consumption of penguin eggs by the inhabitants of Africa. Initially, the population of the species numbered two million individuals, but in the twentieth century, when 450 thousand eggs were collected per year for fried eggs, about twenty thousand of them remained:

24.