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Agulhas National Park

Colonists & Settlers

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From Exploration to Settlement

As European explorers began sailing around the southern tip of Africa in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Agulhas region gradually attracted settlers seeking new opportunities. Dutch and later British colonists arrived in the area, drawn by the fertile land and access to the sea. They established small outposts for farming and trade, relying on the land’s natural resources to sustain themselves.

View at the Indian Ocean from the Southernmost Tip of Africa, Cape Agulhas, South Africa
Rich natural resources
homesteads
Homesteads

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Colonists and other settlers built simple homesteads in Cape Agulhas using limestone and other natural materials.

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Find homesteads built using limestone and other natural materials. Some of them can still be seen in the park today. Experience this colonial history through preserved buildings, historical landmarks, and even old stories passed down through generations.