My recent exciting trip to Cape Agulhas

by Carol Bayne

I decided to go visit Cape Agulhas and the surrounding areas, as I haven`t been to the area for about 25 years or so. So really excited I set off fully prepared with all sanitizers, masks, hand wipes, picnic hamper for en route, GPS and yes even a good old map book (as I have been taken on some perilous routes previously via the Sat Navigation).

It is an easy and interesting drive from Cape Town via Sir Lowry’s Pass, Caledon and Bredasdorp, taking about 2.5 hours.  There are some lovely small towns to stop for lunch or coffee en-route.  We stopped in Napier, a real farming community with a couple of interesting and good coffee shops and deli’s.

We arrived in L`Agulhas in the early afternoon, being a stunning summer`s day in Africa and checked into the Agulhas Country Lodge. It is really a luxurious accommodation at the Tip of Africa. There are 8 en-suite luxurious rooms, which offer stunning sea views. The rooms are well-appointed, but good to know is that it is a bit of a climb up to reception and to the rooms situated upstairs. Due to the stairs, the property is unfortunately not wheelchair friendly. This accommodation really offers great value for money and amazing views from every window. Due to COVID Lockdown restrictions, we were not able to try out the fine dining, but there are also some great seafood restaurants in town. Just ensure to check on their closing times, especially if lockdown rules still apply.

After breakfast the next morning we went to explore the L’Agulhas National Park and the Lighthouse (which is declared a National Monument and was the third lighthouse built in South Africa). Unfortunately, we were not able to go into the actual Lighthouse Museum as still closed due to COVID, but it is a must when there. Good paths and boardwalks take you to the point where the two oceans actually meet (the Indian and Atlantic Ocean).

We then set off for the small harbour called Struisbaai (which is only a 10 minute drive from L`Agulhas) and thoroughly enjoyed a late lunch at the Catch Cook Restaurant, which is situated right by the water (see picture on the right, this is your view). The restaurant is well spaced out and offers a great menu with very good prices and fresh seafood. Tip, ask for the special of the day.  Our special was Yellow Tail which is definitely one of my favourites.  The service here was excellent and all protocols were observed.

Next we carried on to the Arniston Hotel & Spa, where we also stayed over. I can definitely recommend this hotel and if you can pay a little extra, the sea-facing rooms are so worth it.  We stayed in a sea-facing room and these are really stunning and large. Although the pool facing rooms do not offer views of the sea, they are just as nice and spacious. The hotel offers great dining options, such as the Main Restaurant or the Bistro, which offers a terrace, perfect for sundowners and cocktails. The staff seems very well trained and most have been with the hotel for many years which just adds to the amazing atmosphere.

This 4 star property, is very conveniently situated as there is so much nearby to explore, such as caves, beaches etc. I would even recommend a couple of night stops here. We only stayed one night and I wished we had more time here!

The next day we travelled 50km to De Hoop Nature Reserve. Important to note is that all but about 10km of this stretch is dirt roads and most are being worked on, so it will take longer to get there. But the drive is interesting and scenic, from initially flat farmland to hilly terrain.  De Hoop is amazing in that it has a huge marine reserve right along the beaches where in-season whales breed and land-based watching is only allowed.  The reserve itself is home to antelopes, great birdlife and flora & fauna amongst other things. This is also a paradise for active guests, as there are great hiking and walking trails.  Every type of accommodation is offered here, from Rondavels (round huts) to camping, from self-catering little cottages to luxury houses.  There is a good on-site restaurant, which offers light meals throughout the day and a la carte menu in the evening.  It is so unique and relaxing here, I would suggest staying at least a couple of nights. We stayed in a self-catering cottage, which sleeps 4 (2 bedrooms) and it is equipped with everything you require. The staff at De Hoop are very friendly and very strictly follow all COVID Protocols.

My overall impression of my trip:

It is such a stunning area that is quite often overlooked in the rush to get along the Garden Route as is approximately 100km off the N2 and the same coming back.  But if you are looking for something different, something unique and off the beaten track, then a visit to this area is so worth it and allow a few days for this area. Every property and restaurant we visited adhered strictly to COVID protocols, which made us feel safe and secure. So don`t delay and plan your trip to Cape Agulhas and surroundings!