Have you visited Cape Point yet? And have you had a go in the Flying Dutchman?
Cape Point is in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve. It’s just over an hour’s drive from the Mother City.
Here, you will not only find the most southwestern point in Africa (not to be confused with the most southern tip of Africa, which is Cape Agulhas), but a few other fun facilities to experience. And a ghostly legend to uncover. You have to make a point of visiting!
Exploring Cape Point’s points of attraction
The Flying Dutchman Funicular (also called the Cape Point Funicular) is just one of the fun and interactive attractions at Cape Point. It’s reportedly the first commercial funicular in Africa, established in 1996.
In case you don’t know what a funicular is, it’s a railway transportation. It’s a carriageway that travels up and down a cliff or slope. The name derives from the Latin word funiculus, which means “small rope”. Simply put, it operates with a cable.
The Flying Dutchman will transport you up the cliffside at Cape Point. It starts from the car park and leads all the way up to the Da Gama Peak, which is the summit of Cape Point (238 metres above sea level). It’s also where the old lighthouse was built in 1859 and still stands. Of course, you can also walk or hike up, but where’s the fun in that!
The ride up is approximately only a few minutes, but it’s a fantastic way to view the surrounding scenery and fynbos vegetation. Not only will it save time, but it’s perfect for those who are older or in wheelchairs who can’t walk up.
A ghostly legend
The Flying Dutchman Funicular was named after a legendary Dutch ship. It reportedly sank in 1641 off the Cape of Good Hope. It became a mythical legend throughout the years as an infamous ghost ship. Interestingly, there have also been numerous stories of its sightings!
So whether you believe in ghosts or not, Cape Point will not disappoint. It’s one of the top attractions to visit if you’re travelling in and around Cape Town. There is a bit of everything here. From fun funicular rides, awe-inspiring landscapes, the ocean’s lingering depths, rich history, and the thrill of ghostly legends.
