In Photos: The Raw Landscapes Of Cape Point South Africa

Cape Point is one of the most iconic destinations in South Africa. It sits on the very tip of the Cape Peninsula some 60 kilometres southwest of Cape Town, and is home to a variety of wildlife, rare flora and burgeoning marine life.

There’s a unique energy at Cape Point around sunrise, and there’s no better time to start a trip to the most south-western corner of Africa. The gates to the 7,500-hectare Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve open as the first rays of the sun reach up over the distant mountains, and the ensuing light display on the skies above and the vast False Bay waters below are worth the trip.

No two days at Cape Point are alike. Calm days are few and far between, and instead you’re more likely to learn why this hostile promontory, together with its surrounding oceans, earned the region the moniker the Cape of Storms. When the winds howl and the turbulent oceans swirl you’ll have a new appreciation for the intrepid explorers who rounded this bay with the most rudimentary equipment. And on the calmer days, you’ll relish the silence as small fishing boats head out into the bay, and seals, dolphins, whales and sharks are often seen basking in the clear waters below.

Although it’s neither the southern-most point on the continent, nor the official meeting place of the Indian and Atlantic Oceans – as many people erroneously believe – that hardly seems to matter when you find one of many isolated view sites and look out toward Antarctica or take a gentle stroll along the pristine beaches.

The sun appears over the distant mountains as seen from Cape Point

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail at Cape Point

Looking down at the turbulent oceans from the Lighthouse Keeper’s Trail

The new lighthouse, below the cloud line and further south, offers significantly safer passage for ships

Dias Beach, as seen from the Old Lighthouse

Looking back over the Cape mountains after the sun has risen at Cape Point

Those fit enough to tackle it can hike to the Cape of Good Hope from the foot of the Old Lighthouse

Wooden boardwalks lead the way to Dias Beach and the Cape of Good Hope signpost

Several hundred stairs lead the way to Dias Beach

Dias Beach remains largely isolated, thanks mainly to the hundreds of stairs required to reach it

An eland grazes on shrubs beneath the Old Lighthouse at Cape Point

The walk to Dias Beach and the Cape of Good Hope signpost

Ostriches are a common sight around the nature reserve

Far below the Old Lighthouse is the Lighthouse Keeper’s trail – a scenic walk leading to the new lighthouse

Many queue for several minutes to snap a photograph in front of this signpost at the most south-western point of the continent

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.