The Cape of Good Hope is famous for being one of the first outposts in Africa, particularly the south, accessed by the sailors and traders of the 17th century. The Dutch laid claim to it in 1652 already and established a refreshment station for their trade ships that rounded the south Cape coast of Africa in transit to India. The Dutch East India Company ruled the waves back then. Soon after that the British made a claim to the Cape of course, and the two cultures added their flavor to what is the Cape of Good Hope today.
Among others who frequented the general area offshore along the south Cape coast of Africa, were the pirates, buccaneers and privateers who also sailed the high seas, not for trade but for piracy, robbing the Spanish and Dutch at their leisure before the Royal Navy of England could do much about it. And one of the old pirates whose name has lived on, is that of Captain Kidd. He is alleged to have come to the Cape in the 1690s to plunder Dutch ships but also it is rumored that he hid his vast treasure trove right here where I’m walking and filming today, along the Garden Route, just 550km east of the Cape of Good Hope.
In this series, I explore the rocky shores to search out the caves where Captain Kidd’s treasure could be buried. It is apparently still buried in a cave at the shoreline, below me as I walk on the cliffs overlooking the Indian ocean. Can you imagine vast troves of treasure in the form of crockery and cutlery, and perhaps even silver and gold coin, lying there since 1690. It would be worth an unlimited fortune today, in terms of monetary value – if you can place a value on such items – but especially historical and archaeological value to scholars and historians. The search continues and I love a good treasure hunt. The odds are slim but the reward is historic.
This is a great place to come explore as a tourist, with the vast open expanse of African continent colliding with the mighty Indian Ocean. Few people are to be found here, hardly anone knows about the place or can even find a way to access it. Locals don’t bother with it much as there are more beautiful beaches just a few kilometers away. Nevertheless, if you want to go where few travlelers have gone before, with the rumor of buried pirate treasure in the air, then the remote cliff tops along the Garden Route coastline is the place for you. Along with the beautiful shoreline comes the chance to do some hiking, cliff climbing and also exploring of the indigenous “fynbos” flora in the region. It is unique on the planet, thanks to the particular climate, and presents a mountain of diverse species, perhaps the most prolific on the planet. It may be on par with the bounty of the Amazon forest, when you research all the numerous species of fynbos vegetation to be seen here in this small zone.
Even if we don’t find any hidden cave full of pirate treasure, still we can bask in the beauty of the Garden Route and enjoy the warn Indian Ocean waters, while enriching ourselves with natural insights from the region. Be sure to add this well-respected tourist destination to your travel itinerary, for it is far less frequented than Thailand for example, and far cleaner, with hardly a single piece of plastic litter polluting the shoreline. And the exchange rate is in your favor, along with the weather. Any time of the year is fine, although the summer from November to April is the best of course. But even in winter, the weather is so mild that you can roam the outdoor expanses any month of the year.
Let me know if and when you’re in the area and we can meet up and I will take you exploring. I will even point you to a great “glamping” cottage on the edge of the indigenous Knysna forest, not advertised on the mainstream accommodation sites, totally off the grid, with nominal rates. So until next time, happy travels and may the trade winds be in your sails.
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