Table Mountain National Park

Overview

Table Mountain is Cape Town's most famous landmark, known for its distinctive flat top and the tablecloth of cloud that often drapes over it. The summit stands 1,086 metres high and is reached by a rotating cable car, giving views over the city, the Cape of Good Hope coastline and the Cape Peninsula. More than 3,000 plant species grow on the mountain, part of one of the world's seven floral kingdoms. It was named one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature in 2012.

History

Table Mountain holds an important place in South African history and culture and was regarded as sacred by several indigenous peoples of the Cape. The Portuguese explorer António de Saldanha first recorded it in 1503, and it became a navigational landmark for ships rounding the Cape of Good Hope. Table Mountain National Park was established in 1998, uniting several reserves across the peninsula under one authority.

Highlights

• •360-degree views over Cape Town and the coastline from the summit
• •Unique local plants and close encounters with rock hyraxes
• •Hiking up as an alternative to the cable car, about two to three hours
• •The most beautiful light at sunset, as the sun drops into the Atlantic

Practical tips

• •The cable car can close in bad weather, so allow a spare day
• •Eight to ten in the morning is most comfortable; afternoons are often windy
• •The hike requires good fitness; a guide is recommended
• •A combined ticket covers both Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope

Practical information

Best time

November to April

Tickets

Cable car return about ZAR 395

Opening hours

8:30 to 21:30, varying by season

Local food

South African braai, abalone and wine

Getting around

Self-drive or the sightseeing bus is recommended; the Table Mountain cableway opens depending on weather

Visa

A tourist visa is required, with documents prepared about a month ahead; some border crossings offer a visa on arrival, subject to official announcements.

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