General Information:
A UNESCO world heritage site and International tourist attraction, Table Mountain National Park runs from the Table Mountain chain which sits above and around Cape Town, down to the Cape of Good Hope and the surrounding water and coastline. Table Mountain National Park is mainly an open access park where park entrance fees are only payable at Boulders, Silvermine and the Cape of Good Hope.
There is a lot of history and culture that surrounds Table Mountain and African tribes have long lived at the base of it because of the fertile land and the more predicable rainfall. Because of the unique Mediterranean environment this plateau brings, indigenous flora and fauna can be found on top. With steep cliffs and winding paths crossing the mountain chain and hiking possible from the north to south side of the park, this is a popular tourist spot for adventures and day-trippers alike.
Highlights:
- Beaches – Great beaches in this area for everything from water sports and surfing to relaxing in the sun and being delivered drinks by local salespeople.
- Boulders – Boulders is home to the penguin colony just outside of Simon’s Town. On elevated walkways above the beach, this make a great attraction for children and also very accessible for the mobility impaired. A word of caution – best avoided on windy days as the sand is blown around making it uncomfortable to be on the walkways.
- Cape of Good Hope -This mountainous peninsula is for those who enjoy the outdoors. A 1-2 hour drive from downtown Cape Town this section of the park offers hiking, surfing, angling, picnicking, beaching and cycling opportunities.
- Forest Walks
- Indigenous Forests
- Silvermine – Now this part of the park is more common for hiking and mountain biking the trails. It gets its name from the time when scouts thought there would be silver on top of the mountain and started mining. Only traces of silver were ever found and the mine was eventually abandoned.
- Signal Hill and Lions Head – Sitting above Sea Point and Green Point, these two hills are fixtures on the horizon of Cape Town. Lions head is a good climb for the enthusiasts with a walking trail going most of the way up. The last section is climbing up rocky paths with the help of a chain to hold on to. Sundowners are popular for those visiting Signal Hill at sunset when some claim you can watch the sun go down, just as the moon comes up on the other horizon.
- Table Mountain – Best explored on a calm sunny day, Table Mountain is serviced by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway. Tickets are available for either one way or round trip. In winter months, it is a good 3 hour walk to the top of the mountain, but this should not be attempted in the mid-day sun unless you really know what you are getting yourself into. A restaurant and viewing walkways (great for push chairs and wheelchairs) are found near the cable car station found at the top.
Accommodation:
There is accommodation in and around the park in all the towns. If you are looking for a more luxurious place to stay in this area, enquire with us and we can help you put something together that best suites your wishes.
Eland and Duiker Cottages
In the Cape of Good Hope section of the park, and are serviced with electriciy, full kitchens and linens.
Wood Owl Cottage
Located at Tokai Pine Plantation on the slopes of the Constantiaberg, is surrounded by hiking trails and takes you back to the times when the Europeans started foresting in South Africa.
Platteklip Wash House
On the back table, this overnight self-catering house, gives great views of the sky above and city below
Tented Camps
Tented camps are found on the mountain and can be arranged through the parks service and come with an on-site guide.
Map of Table Mountain National Park:
