Description of the attraction
The Cape of Good Hope is part of the peninsula on which the South African National Nature Reserve is located - the only one in the world with such a rich diversity of fauna and unique flora.
The legendary Cape of Good Hope is the source of many myths and legends. In 1488, Bartholomew Diaz named the peninsula of Cabo Tormentoso, or Cape of Tempests. The Portuguese king João II later gave him the name Cabo da Boa Esperanza - the Cape of Good Hope. In 1580, Sir Francis Drake announced that it would be "the most majestic and fairest cape on earth."
The first lighthouse was built on the cape in 1860. However, due to its high location (238 m above sea level), it was often obscured by clouds and fog. When the ship "Lusitania" crashed in 1911, the lighthouse was moved 87 meters above sea level to its current location.
In the 17th century, the Dutch captain Hendrik van der Decken tried to go around the cape in a strong headwind, and his ship, along with the crew, mysteriously disappeared. Since then, the legend has been told of the ghost ship "The Flying Dutchman", which is said to have been frequently sighted near the Cape of Good Hope.
The reserve located on the cape is a flower treasure - there are over 1000 different species of them. The Cape has earned international recognition as one of the world's six flower kingdoms. Plants characteristic of the Cape of Good Hope are proteas and reeds.
The bear baboon lives here. The proximity to the city and geographic isolation from other populations of baboons threaten their existence. The main diet of monkeys consists mainly of fruits, root vegetables, bulbs, honey, insects and scorpions, but at low tide they can be seen on the beach fishing for shellfish.
Ornithologists can observe more than 250 species of birds on the territory of the cape - the great black eagle, gulls and cormorants, sunbirds feeding on the sweet nectar of Protea, while Egyptian geese bask on the rocks in warm sunlight, the steppe buzzard, spotted owl, sandpiper, and large African ostrich.
Animal lovers will be able to see zebra, eland, lynx, mongoose and field mice. And also a wide variety of insects, turtles, snakes, lizards and frogs. In winter and spring, southern whales can be seen returning to warm waters to give birth and raise their offspring.
The Cape of Good Hope is an amazing scenic spot with soft white sandy beaches interspersed with stunning cliffs. The blending of the icy Atlantic Ocean with the warm waters of the Indian Ocean has created a unique coastal environment and one of the most productive marine areas around the world.
You can go surfing at Diaz Beach. This beach is dotted with tiny boulders with numerous screaming birds. Diving is possible at famous shipwrecks along the beach.
Despite numerous visitors to the Cape of Good Hope, its world remains intact. A visit to this amazing place will enrich you with memories of bright colors, perfect blue skies, azure sea water and a clean sandy beach.
