NATURAL HISTORY

Recognised globally for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique flora, this singular peninsula - with the rugged Table Mountain range meandering down the centre and soft white sandy beaches, rocky coves and sand flats - is a truly remarkable recreational asset. Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and such rich bio-diversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area - the thriving and cosmopolitan city of Cape Town.

Numerous scenic drives are so impressive they require an unhurried approach, to appreciate their stunning beauty.
The cold Atlantic Ocean (46°- 59°F (8°-15°C), runs down the western edge of the peninsula, while the warmer waters of False Bay (55°- 68°F (13°-20°c), caress the eastern shores. These bodies of water are both visible in some places along the route, and it is often said that the Atlantic finally meets the Indian Ocean at Cape Point.

This is not strictly true as satellite images show that the warm and cold currents mingle off Africa's southernmost point at Cape Agalhus, 106 miles (170km) south east of Cape Town. However, there are days when a distinctive line is visible in the ocean at Cape Point, but the sea know no boundaries and call them what you will, these waters will become the great Southern Ocean.

The Cape's flora is quite unique, containing the world's Sixth Floral Kingdom, named Fynbos.

This encompasses Proteas, Ericas, Reeds and Bulbous plants, which flourish in the nutrient poor soils. Under such conditions, an astonishing diversity of 2,256 species has emerged - more than the whole of Great Britain (which supports 1,500 species), in an area 5,000 times smaller! The Cape contains 526 of the world's 760 erica species and 96 out of the world's 160 types of gladiolus, and Table Mountain alone supports 1,470 species.

In the pristine Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, keep your eyes open for beautiful brown and white bontebok antelopes, dawdling tortoises and dashing ostriches and be on the lookout for cheeky baboons in the parking lot.

In the oceans around the Cape, Southern Right whales entertain thousands of spectators each year when they come so close to shore that you can smell their fishy breath. These wonderful gentle giants of the sea come to the Cape peninsula from August to October to mate and calve. Sightings peak in September, and there are a number of well-placed viewpoints along the coastline.

Boulders Beach is home to a growing colony of the vulnerable African penguins, which can easily be viewed at close quarters from a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk. They were commonly called 'Jackass' penguins, and when you hear a noise like a donkey being strangled, you will understand why.

The birdlife along the peninsula is prolific with iridescent sunbirds, long-tailed Cape sugarbirds, rare black oystercatchers, gulls and arctic terns, plus raptors like eagles, kestrels, kites and buzzards.