South Africa's Agulhas National Park

Useful Information

History

The region's cultural history spans millennia, as remnants from earlier eras still wash onto the shores. Cabo dos Agulhas, named by Bartholomew Dias, translates 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 not only for its sharp reefs and coastline but also because the ships that reached the point experienced compass needles swinging, unable to determine true north from magnetic north. The coastline is littered with shipwrecks, which have endowed the coastal town with a rich heritage.

Many buildings in the area, including historic homes and the Water Mill in Elim, were built with debris from ships that washed ashore. The Meisho Maru 38 ran aground in 1982; all 17 crew survived.

Wildlife

A diversity of habitats—including wetlands, a salt pan, and fynbos—attract bird in multitudes. Species include the endangered African black oystercatcher with a current population of fewer than 5,000 adults and the near-threatened Damara tern. Other notable species include Cape clapper lark, blue crane, black harrier, black eagle and flamingo. About 270 identified species visit the area.

Mammal and reptile in the park include chacma baboon, bushbuck, klipspringer, ostrich, tortoise, porcupine and snake. With luck, you might see Cape fox, honey badger, or the endangered Cape frog. Additionally, southern right whale frequent the area to mate and give birth and are often joined by dolphin and seal. The abundant waters make this coastline one of South Africa’s notable fishing grounds.

Vegetation & Terrain

Once covered in highly endangered lowland fynbos and renosterveld, the park conserves and extends the Cape Floral Kingdom and its rich flora and fauna. Agulhas National Park boasts an estimated 2,000 indigenous plant species, of which about 100 are endemic to the area, and over 100 are listed in the Red Data Book.

The plan to expand around Cape Agulhas has been successful, growing from 4 hectares at proclamation in 1998 to approximately 22,000 hectares at present. Future conservation aims include widening corridors and restoring ecological processes across the Agulhas Plain.

Activities

Visit the Agulhas Lighthouse museum and the shipwrecks along the coastline. Explore local heritage linked to the Khoi, and walk trails like Spookdraai (Ghost-turn) and Rasperpunt, which weave history and coastal scenery. Be sure to stand at the southern tip of Africa and enjoy wide beaches where you may spot whale, dolphin and seal offshore in season.