FYNBOS, WHITE SAND
AND SEA!!

Fynbos is the natural vegetation of a relatively narrow strip along the South Western Cape coastal area. This small region is the home of more than 8 500 fynbos varieties. More than 6 000 of these are found nowhere else in the world. A large number are very rare and are in danger of becoming extinct.
This region, although the smallest in area, is the richest of the six floristic regions.
A few years ago it was declared a World Heritage region.
As 8 500 plant species grow here, it is an important area for ecological conservation on an international level.
Well-known fynbos species are the Proteas and the Ericas. Best time of the year to view this fynbos is from Autumn to Spring - when most species flower.

THE SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF AFRICA

The southernmost tip of the African continent is at Cape Agulhas and not at Cape Point as many people believe. The official position of the tip is 34 O49' 58" south and 20 O 00' 19" east and is found approximately 1 km west of the Cape Agulhas Lighthouse. The tip's exact location is marked by a simple yet dramatic cairn, which was erected in 1986. At the end of the 15th century the early Portuguese seafarers christened this tip Cabo das Agulhas - Cape of Needles and refers to the needle of the compass which at this point shows no real deviation between true north and magnetic north. A truly magic and desolate place, where suddenly one begins to understand the difficulties the early seafarers must have faced.

WHERE TWO OCEANS MEET

As determined by the International Hydrographic Organisation, the two mighty oceans - Indian and Atlantic - meet at the most southern tip of the continent of Africa - Cape Agulhas.
However the meeting point of the two ocean currents, the warm Agulhas Current and the cold Benguela Current, is a totally different issue, and must not be confused with the meeting of the Oceans.
The point where these currents meet fluctuates considerably, and is constantly on the move along the southern and south western Cape coast, most often occurring somewhere between Cape Agulhas and Cape Point. Contrary to what one may think, this meeting produces no fireworks, clashing cymbals or dramatic crashing of waves!!