There’s plenty of interesting sea life in the rock pools at the water’s edge. You’ll leave the path through the fynbos behind as you clamber over a rocky section which will lead you to the beach. Tucker sign on the left if you’re facing the sea, this is the start of all three routes.įollow the yellow tipped markers along the path down to the beach. You’ll get to enjoy the fynbos and occasional animal along the drive. This will take you through the reserve and down to the beach where there’s a parking lot. Once you’re in the Cape Point Nature Reserve look out for the Olifantsbos turn off on the right. There are three routes that start and end at Olifantsbos which vary in length so you can choose between them depending on how much time you have and how energetic you’re feeling. Don’t bring food with you, plan your picnic before or afterwards: there are sometimes baboons on this route, and they will be attracted to the food.It’s not called the Cape of Storms for nothing the wind can be icy even when the sun is shining. Cape Point has some of the most dramatic landscapes which makes for interesting photos. Make sure you bring enough to keep you hydrated. For the rocky bits and path to the beach. You’ll need to bring your own shade for this walk along the beach. Written by volunteers, they’re a wealth of knowledge and will set you back just R3. Pick up a pamphlet at the Buffesfontein Visitors Centre.

I’m wearing my V-Lite Altitude Ultra Luxe WPi Hi-Tecs which do a great job of keeping the sand out, plus they keep me stable on the rocks. There isn’t a tour bus in sight, and it’s wonderfully quiet. This, now rusty, piece of family history can still be seen partially submerged beneath the sand along the shipwreck trail at Olifantsbos.Īs we pull up in the Olifantsbos parking lot at Cape Point a herd of bontebok are grazing on the outskirts of the beach. I will never forget the sound of the ship smacking the beach.” “All we could do was pray that the engine wouldn’t stall. The vessel was very sluggish and we all went to the wheelhouse where, miraculously, and with the engine still running, my father was able to steer the vessel clear of the coast. Within two hours, we had taken on two metres of water. At 1am or 2am that morning we started shipping water and after about an hour the bilge pump gave up. “In 1963, we left Cape Town for Durban in stormy weather. Olifantsbos shipwreck trail A hike with Hi-Tec in the Cape Point Nature Reserveĭutch born, J.K Van Der Luit, clearly remembers the day the Nolloth, his family’s coaster, was shipwrecked at Cape Point.

Shipwreck on nootka trail