Half Day Cape Point Tour (SC2)

Cape Town
Set Out From Cape Town

The tour departs from the Cape Town City Bowl, which is hugged by the wide arms of Table Mountain. Cape Town’s vibrant and multicultural population is a legacy of its history as a safe haven for passing ships and traders. A genial Mediterranean climate, and the stunning natural beauty makes locals and visitors fall in love with the city.

As we travel through the town you might notice the distinctive gable design on some of the buildings; this is a characteristic of Cape Dutch Architecture, inspired by the Dutch farmers who first settled in the area in the 1600 and 1700’s.

The road out of town takes us through the historic suburb of Sea Point. Segregated as a whites-only area during the years of Apartheid, a stroll down the cosmopolitan Sea Point Promenade is a potent symbol of the unity the country now enjoys.

Pass through Cape Town’s most exclusive suburbs

As Sea Point ends Clifton begins; an area home to some of the most expensive real estate in the country. On the right of the road you should be able to see some Clifton’s pure-white sand beaches, which are well loved by sun worshippers everywhere and enjoy a position sheltered from the brisk south-easterly wind.

Before Clifton became one of the most desired stretches in the country it was used has used to house returning World War 1 soldiers. They were awarded small plots between Clifton’s Fourth and Second beaches and built bungalows out of the packing cases used to transport motor cars in the 1920’s and 30’s. Some of these small, cliff-side plots still have to be accessed using private elevators.

After Clifton we come to the affluent suburb of Camps Bay, which has some of the city’s most popular beaches and best night spots. A palm lined road divides the beach from a fantastic collection of restaurants, bars and hotels.

Hout Bay
Drive along the scenic Atlantic Coast

Named in honour of Queen Victoria’s jubilee in 1888, this road hugs the coast as it winds around to Hout Bay. Overlooked by the famous Twelve Apostles on one side, and with the seemingly endless Atlantic Ocean on the other, this is a favourite drive for many.

The road was carved out by famous road engineer Thomas Bain, responsible for many of South Africa’s most beautiful mountain passes. A true renaissance man, he had a keen interest in natural history, geology, archaeology and palaeontology.

Follow the curves of the World Famous Chapman’s Peak Drive

We pass through Hout Bay (Wood Bay from the Afrikaans) is a charming little hamlet protected on three sides by mountains and providing a calm bay for a thriving local fishing community. This area used to be heavily forested and it provided the perfect base when Dutch settlers needed huge quantities of timber in the 1600’s. It is now beloved as a holiday and residential town and has been enticing people for many years with its’ rural, idyllic charm.

With a towering mountain above it and a sheer drop below, Chapman’s Peak Drive hugs the face of its namesake as the road curves around to Noordhoek from Hout Bay. Chapman’s Peak Drive is renowned for its spectacular 180° views of the Cape Peninsula as well as its 114 twists and turns. Viewpoints and picnic spots are scattered throughout its 9km length and its dramatic views have made it a favoured spot for photographers.

Cape Point Nature Reserve
Stand on the Edge of Africa at Cape Point Nature Reserve

Our journey now reaches the tip of the Cape Peninsula, a dramatic view point located in a 17 750 hectare nature reserve. Looking out over the shining sea from the Cape Point Lighthouse truly makes you feel like you are standing at the edge of the world. You may also feel the brisk touch of a wind dubbed the “Cape Doctor” for its healing powers.

The rich diversity of the nature reserve, part of the Table Mountain National Park, makes it home to a stunning array of animal and plant species. Visitors can encounter buck, baboons, Cape Mountain Zebra and over 250 species of birds. The reserve is also one of the largest breeding grounds for tortoises in the world.

False Bay - Cape Town
False Bay Coastal Road

After leaving Cape Point Nature Reserve we travel up the other side of the Cape Peninsula on our way to Simon’s Town. On a clear day you may be able to see the mountains and coastline all the way on the other side of False Bay. The road may not be as steep as Chapman’s Peak Drive but its dramatic views are just as enticing.

Visit the Penguins at Boulders Beach

Since 1985 a colony of African Jackass penguins have made their home between the boulders and white sand of Boulders Beach and these small citizens have been charming residents and tourists ever since. Located just round the corner from Simon’s Town, the colony is best accessed via the Boulders Visitors Centre (at own expense), whose boardwalks allow you to get up close and observe the penguins in their natural habitat.

Simon’s Town has been an important naval base and harbour for over two centuries and you can still see some historic naval vessels anchored just off-shore. On a visit to the town you might see the famous statue of Just Nuisance, the only dog to ever be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. The town also has a fantastic collection of restaurants and boutique stores.

Return to Cape Town

As we head back towards Cape Town along the False Bay coastal road; we will travel through Fish Hoek (Vishoek in Afrikaans), a little town with a long history. There have been records of people living here on the earliest maps of the area.

From Fish Hoek we will drive past Muizenberg, another seaside town. The warm waters and long stretch of beach make this a popular spot for holidaymakers and there are a wide variety of activities, like kite boarding and surfing, for the adventurous.

As we near the Cape Town City Bowl you can catch a glimpse of the University of Cape Town, the Rhodes Memorial and Groote Schuur Hospital (site of the world’s first heart transplant). As you return to your hotel we hope that the great memories you have made today stay with you for the rest of your life.