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Table Mountain
National Park is recognised globally for its
extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique fauna and
flora. With its rugged cliffs, steep slopes and sandy
flats, it is a truly remarkable natural, scenic,
and cultural asset.
The narrow finger of land with its beautiful
valleys, bays and beaches is surrounded by the
waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the
warmer waters of False Bay and has within its
boundaries two world-renowned landmarks - majestic
Table Mountain and the legendary Cape of Good Hope.
A unique feature of the park is that it is
primarily an open access park with only three points
where conservation fees are payable, Cape of Good
Hope, Boulders and Silvermine, the rest of the Park
is open access and free for all to enjoy (although
there is a fee to use the Cable Car if you don't
want to walk to the top of Table Mountain).
Arguably one of the most well-known mountains in
Africa, Table Mountain provides a magnificent
backdrop to cosmopolitan Cape Town.
Famous for the tablecloth of clouds that pours
endlessly down its slopes when the south-easter
blows, this is a mountain of many moods and offers
walkers and hikers a range of routes that vary from
strolls to rigorous hikes.
You decide whether you want to reach the summit
and revel in spectacular views of the city or simply
stroll along in the cool shade of indigenous forest
– which ever you choose you won't be disappointed.
The ancient Afromontane forest has a fairy charm
as vines and canopies create a magical atmosphere.
Located in the central section of the Table
Mountain National Park, Silvermine offers some of the
best hikes in the Park with beautiful fynbos
landscapes. There are two sections, each with formal
parking.
South African National Parks does not provide
accommodation here. Private accommodation is
widely available. We recommend at least
four nights here (click on the map opposite to visit SANParks™
website).
Lekker Links
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Related pages
Beaufort West, Bellville, Bredasdorp,
Caledon, Cape Town, Ceres,
Clanwilliam, George, Knysna, Malmesbury,
Mossel Bay, Oudtshoom, Paarl, Riversdale,
Swellendam, Vrendenburg, Worcester
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If you face Table Mountain and look
right you will see Lion's Head and Signal
Hill, two popular destinations in their own
right.
Lion's Head is a short but popular hike
that offers 360 degree views of the
coastline, the City and Mountain.
Signal Hill
offers excellent views of the City and
harbour. It is from here that the noon day
gun marks 12:00.
The peak to the left of Table Mountain is called
Devil's Peak.
So named by Portugal's King John II this
area has captured the imagination of
European sailors such as Dias who first
named it the Cape of Storms in 1488 and
later in 1580 Sir Francis Drake who called
it the "The Fairest Cape in all the World."
Rich in cultural and natural heritage
this is one of the top tourist destinations
in South Africa and includes the famous Cape
Point. Due to the variety of wildlife that
occurs here it is the only section of the
park that is fenced and visitors should look
out for Eland, Red Hartebeest, Bontebok and
Zebra.
Just around the corner from the seaside
village of Simons Town turn left off main
road to Boulders Visitor Centre to visit the
famous colony of Jackass Penguins, so called
for their hilarious braying call.
This beach is ideal for kids as immense
boulders shelter the cove from currents and
large waves - but please always take care.
The park has a beach for all
preferences. If you like to mingle with
bronzed beach goers and enjoy a bit of a
beach culture, try Llandudno on the Atlantic
seaboard.
However, if you are more of a laidback
beach user head south and try out Noordhoek,
Kommetjie or Scarborough - all of which are
spacious enough to accommodate crowds and
are also good for watching the sun set.
The Cape of Good Hope section offers
more wild and secluded beaches with the
benefit of beaches on both the Atlantic and
False Bay coasts.
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