You have probably seen it, or  you might have experienced it yourself: a baboon snatching your sandwich at Cape Point. At Cape Point baboons have been involved in petty crimes, such as steeling food from visitors, as well as more serious matters. As an answer to this, Cape Point has fenced off a designated area for vistors to enjoy their food and snacks in peace.

The Chacma Baboon ( Papio ursinus) troops on the Cape Peninsula are the only protected population of this species in Africa. They subsist on fruits, roots, honey, bulbs, insects and scorpions. During low tide, they may be seen roaming the beaches, feeding on sandhoppers and shellfish, behaviour believed to be unusual in primates.

It is not unusual for one of those baboons to visit Cape Point but as they sometimes cause problems, Cape Point Partnership has fenced a designated area where people can enjoy their food without having to worry about the baboons.

The designated area is situated near the Two Oceans Restaurant, overlooking the ocean.  

The Cape Town Partnership presses, despite the precautions, to remain cautious of baboons. One of the main advises is to avoid taking out food and beverages in the presence of baboons. Furthermore the Cape Point Partnership advises to:

• Keep a safe distance from baboons
• Move away slowly if a baboon approaches you
• Don't display food when baboons are visible
• Don't open the windows or doors of you car when baboons are present
• Don't feed baboons. You will be fined.

Source: Miriam Mannak / Cape Town Magazine.com/ April 20 2006


Read more on Cape Point:

• Cape Point & Cape of Good Hope
• To Cape Point with Hylton Ross

Other things to do on the Cape Peninsula:

• Penguins of Simon's Town
• Rent a cobra to explore Chapman's Peak Drive

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