At a 249 meters above sea level, perched on cliffs overlooking the ocean, the old lighthouse of Cape Point no longer guides ships in the night. Yet, climbing up to it remains one of the most thrilling routes in Southern Africa. The original structure, built in 1860 to British design, was decommissioned in 1914 after a fundamental problem was understood: low clouds often enveloped the lantern, rendering it invisible during the most dangerous nights. A blind lighthouse, at the top of the world. Today that stone tower is an observation point open to visitors, and the new active lighthouse is located lower down, at 87 meters in altitude, built in 1919.
Cape Point is located within the Table Mountain National Park, which includes the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, in the extreme southwestern part of the African continent. Here the Atlantic and Indian Oceans meet in a tangle of currents, and the waves crash against the rocks with a violence that is felt in the bones even before it is seen. It is not the southernmost geographical point of Africa — that title belongs to Cape Agulhas — but it is the place where the land truly seems to end, where the view opens up to hundreds of kilometers of open ocean without an obstacle.
Climbing to the Old Lighthouse: the Walking Path
From the main parking lot and the service complex at the base, a staircase of about 250 steps ascends along the ridge to the old lighthouse. The path is not technically difficult, but the slope is steep and the wind can be intense in any season. Along the ascent, red and gray sandstone rocks emerge from the low fynbos vegetation — the unique plant ecosystem of this region, with its heaths, proteas, and restios that do not exist anywhere else on the planet. Those who do not wish to walk can take the Flying Dutchman Funicular, the funicular that connects the base to the summit, operational during the park's opening hours.
Upon reaching the old lighthouse, the structure appears sober and sturdy: a white tower with the lantern extinguished, flanked by the keeper's building. You can enter the tower and look out from the upper platform. From there, on clear days, you can distinctly see the silhouette of Cape Agulhas to the east, and to the west the coast descending towards the Cape of Good Hope. The wind at this altitude can exceed 60 kilometers per hour even in summer, so it is advisable to bring an extra layer.
The Cape of Good Hope and the nature reserve
The entrance ticket to the Table Mountain National Park includes access to the entire Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, where both Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope are located, reachable by a short drive or walk from the main complex. Prices vary depending on nationality and season, but for international visitors, they are around 300-350 rand per person, equivalent to about 15-18 euros at the current exchange rate. The park is home to baboons, ostriches, plains zebras, and bontebok antelopes, and sightings along the internal roads are frequent.
The reserve extends over 7,750 hectares of peninsula. Driving along the internal roads at sunset, when the slanting light illuminates the cliffs and the waves turn orange, is an experience hard to forget. Beware of the baboons: they are present in large groups, are used to humans, and can become aggressive if they see food. Do not open the windows and do not let them approach.
When to go and how to organize the visit
The best time to visit Cape Point is between September and March, during the spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The days are longer, the chances of clear skies are greater, and the fynbos vegetation is in bloom. However, even in summer, weather conditions can change rapidly: leaving Cape Town in sunshine and finding thick fog at the lighthouse is quite normal. It is advisable to arrive early in the morning, around 9 AM, to avoid the crowds from organized tours that concentrate between 11 AM and 2 PM.
From Cape Town, Cape Point is about 70 kilometers away via Chapman's Peak Drive or the inland road through Simon's Town. With a rental car, the journey takes about an hour and a half, but driving along the peninsula is an integral part of the experience. There are also daily organized tours that depart from the city center, often combined with a visit to the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach. Allow at least three to four hours to satisfactorily explore the area, including the climb to the lighthouse, a visit to the Cape of Good Hope, and a lunch stop at the scenic restaurant at the base.
