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View from helicopter of cape of good hope at the southern tip of Cape Town
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Cape of Good Hope Vacation Packages and Tours

Cape of Good Hope, Cape Town
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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

Languages

Zulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, English

Currency

South African Rand (ZAR)

What do the experts say?

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
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Skip the more commercial wineries and visit artisanal producers—you’ll find sparkling wines and small-batch reds that are absolutely world-class.
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Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Djembe drumming at GOLD in Cape Town is an immersive African experience through their 14-dish food safari and unique live entertainment.
Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
The game viewing in Kruger and Eastern Cape always draws me back—it’s truly superb.
Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
South Africans are famously warm—when you’re new in town, you're often invited to a braai, our way of welcoming people through food.
Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Shamsheer (Sam) Cottar

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
South Africa is a wonderful starting point for Africa. It's got some of the top cities in the world, stunning food and wine, and exceptional value for money.

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