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Agulhas is the most southerly national park in Africa. Early Portuguese navigators named it in the 15th century. They called this point the "Cape of Needles." It is a popular stop on most South African tours that travel from Cape Town to the Garden Route, with a visit to the most southerly point of Africa always a highlight.
Need Advice?The Atlantic and Indian oceans merge at this point, just off the coast of the Agulhas National Park. The only physical evidence of this convergence is a simple stone cairn. Meisho Maru 38 is 2km west of the Agulhas lighthouse.
The Agulhas Lighthouse is the oldest working lighthouse in Southern Africa, built in 1848, following the design of the Pharos lighthouse of Alexandria in Egypt. It fell into disuse but was restored and reopened in March 1988. Today its 7.5 million-candlepower lamp is visible for 30 nautical miles. The museum attached to the lighthouse opened in 1994. There are 71 steps to the top of the tower, which affords superb views of the coast and seascape of the Agulhas National Park.
Visit the vibrant city of Cape Town before traveling on to first Agulhas and then the Garden Route for coastal-orientated activities before a safari in the Addo Elephant National Park.
This tour focuses on stargazing in the southern part of South Africa and visits the Boland, Karoo, and Overberg regions, where guests overnight at De Hoop near Agulhas.
On this tour, visits are made to Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands before exploring South Africa's whale coast from bases at Hermanus and Arniston near Agulhas.
Nestled in the Agulhas Plain, the national park conserves not only the endangered lowland fynbos but a graveyard of ships that met their end in the geographically extreme waters where the Indian and Atlantic oceans clash. Known by many names, such as "The Cape of Needles" or "The Ship's Graveyard," it is estimated that 150 wrecks litter the ocean floor.
A short kilometer east of the southernmost tip of the African continent, you'll find the second oldest lighthouse in South Africa, built-in 1848. The lighthouse, modeled after one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient Word – namely the Pharaohs of Alexandria lighthouse – casts a beam seen 50km out to sea. This national monument is a must-see.
Of the world's six plant kingdoms, the Cape Floral Kingdom is renowned for being the smallest and richest in diversity. The Agulhas National Park boasts an estimated 2 000 species of indigenous plants, of which 100 are endemic to the area, and over 100 appear in the Red Data Book. Its bio-diverse qualities compare to that of tropical rainforests.
When visiting Agulhas National Park in South Africa, you'll savor the site's storied history and geographical significance. Moreover, the location is indelibly beautiful, with sunsets making for the most spectacular natural displays.
The Agulhas National Park is flanked to the west by Cape Town (3 hours) International Airport and the east by George International Airport (3 and a half hours) situated on the Garden Route. The airport of choice will depend on your tour preference – many travelers start their journey in Cape Town, for example, continuing along the coast to the Garden Route, or vice versa.
Your guide will transport you in a private, air-conditioned vehicle across the scenic Overberg region from Cape Town or the agricultural plains stretching from George. The drive takes approximately three hours from Cape Town International Airport and three and a half hours from George.
The Overberg region, specifically Cape Agulhas, has a consistently mild climate, with mostly hot and dry summers followed by cool, rainy winters. The region is characterized by either southeast or northwest winds all year round, which is one of the principal reasons it has also historically been called "the Cape of Storms."
It is best to visit the park between August and April, in the late winter to summer, as the flora begins to bloom. At this time, the Southern right whales are also recurrent in the waters just off the Agulhas Plains, and the migratory birds return for their annual southern migration.
The region's cultural history spans millennia, as remnants from a lost age still wash onto the shores. Cabo dos Agulhas, named by seafaring navigator Bartholomew Dias, translates directly to the 'Cape of Needles.' Shipwrecks litter the coastline and endow the coastal town with a rich heritage, as some shipwreck survivors ultimately settled here.
The area was named after not only its treacherously sharp reef and coastline, but also because the ships' that reached the point compass needles would swing, unable to determine True North from the Magnetic North. The coastline is littered with shipwrecks, which have endowed the coastal town with a rich heritage, as some of the shipwreck survivors ultimately settled here.
Many buildings in the area, including historic homes and the iconic Water Mill in Elim, were built with the debris from the various broken-up ships that washed onto the shore. The last ship to meet its end here was the Meisho Maru in 1982 – the crew of 17 all survived.A diverse variety of vegetation – which includes wetlands, a salt pan, and fynbos, to name a few – attracts birds in multitudes. Species include the endangered African black oystercatcher, with a current population of fewer than 5 000 adults; the Damara tern, considered near-threatened. Other notable species include the Cape clapper lark; the blue crane; the black harrier; black eagles; and even flamingos. Two hundred and seventy identified species visit the area.
Animals and reptiles in the park include: baboons, bushbuck, klipspringer, ostriches, tortoises, porcupines, and snakes are relatively common. If you are lucky, you might even see a Cape fox, the notorious honey badger, or the endangered Cape frog (also known as a "Platanna"). Additionally, the southern right whale frequents the area to mate and give birth, and they are often joined not only by their young but by dolphins and seals. The abundant waters have also earned the Agulhas coastline the reputation of being one of the best fishing grounds in South Africa.
Once covered in the now highly endangered lowland fynbos and renosterveld, the park conserves and extends the Cape Floral Kingdom and its rich fauna and flora. Of the world's six plant kingdoms, the Cape Floral Kingdom is renowned for being the smallest and richest in diversity. The Agulhas National Park boasts an estimated 2 000 species of indigenous plants of which 100 are endemic to the area, and over 100 lists in the Red Data Book. Its bio-diverse qualities are often compared to tropical rainforests, containing some of the most endangered ecosystems.
The plan to turn a small piece of land around Cape Agulhas into an expanded park has been a significant success. From a meager 4 hectares at its inception in 1999 to approximately 22 000 hectares at present. Dreams exist to further the conservation of this unique terrain; one is reintroducing animals that were once part of this ecosystem. These include the black rhinoceros, the Cape lion, and the hippo. It is no wonder that this plain, in its historical glory, was referred to as the "Serengeti of the Western Cape,"
In terms of historical significance, viewing the Agulhas lighthouse (a museum) and the shipwrecks along the coastline are an absolute must. Also, ensure that you introduce yourself to the millennia-old Khoi lifestyle – the area is rich in antiquities and tells a great deal about the South African indigenous people and their history. There are various hiking trails, such as the Spookdraai (Ghost-turn) Hiking Trail and Rasperpunt Hiking Trail, that incorporate the area's history while also allowing you to enjoy the magnificence of the natural biodiversity. Also, be sure to visit the southern tip of Africa.
Even if you are not an avid birding enthusiast, the abundance and variety of birds in the area will leave you awed. Birds can be viewed everywhere, from the coastal region to the wetlands and salt pan. Spending time on the white sands at the shoreline will leave you refreshed and often with excitement and wonder as you can spot whales, dolphins, and seals frolicking nonchalantly in the treacherous waters.
