1.800.557.2841
View from helicopter of cape of good hope at the southern tip of Cape Town
Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town
Home/Destinations/Africa/South Africa/Cape of Good Hope
South Africa

Cape of Good Hope

Overview

Take a trip to Cape of Good Hope on your South Africa vacation.

The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula to be experienced on South Africa tours. English sea captain Sir Francis Drake called it “the fairest cape in all the world” and it has maintained special significance to sailors over the years who refer to it simply as “the Cape”. It was given the name Good Hope by a Portuguese explorer because of the optimism associated with the opening of a sea route to India and the East.

The Cape is said to be the home of the legendary Flying Dutchman, a ship crewed by damned sailors who are forced to sail the waters without ever succeeding in rounding the headland. Part of the Cape is located in Table Mountain National Park which is famous for the ‘tablecloth’ of clouds that cover the top of the mountain.

The position of the Cape between two major ocean currents marks the point where a ship begins to travel more eastward than southward. This position also ensures rich and diverse marine life with the east and west coasts contrasting due to differing sea temperatures. Hosting a wide variety of wildlife the Cape is a good spot for bird watching. Chacma baboons have lived in the area for approximately one million years and are the mammals most commonly associated with the Cape of Good Hope.

Rich in maritime history, seeped in culture and considered some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, the Cape of Good Hope is a favourite stop on South Africa tours.

At a Glance
LanguagesZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English
CurrencySouth African Rand (ZAR)
Travel Stories

Get Inspired About South Africa.

Destination Specialists

The Experts in Tailor-Made Travel

When working with Goway, you dream it, we plan it. Rely on the passion and expertise of our Destination Specialists to craft the trip that’s right for you. 

Meet the Team
Africa
Newsletter
Unlock Even More

Sign up to our newsletter to unlock travel Specials, Inspiration, and Expert Guides right to your inbox.

Exclusive Savings
Insider Contests
Trending Guides
New Specials
New Specials
Discover
Start Planning
Start Planning
Follow Along
Follow Along
Call 1.800.557.2841
Contact Us
BC Reg. #833-0; TICO Reg. #1543989; CST #2070685-20Offices located in CA, US, AUS© Copyright 2024. Goway Travel
Chat