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Table Mountain National Park

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Physical Address:
Tokai Manor House
Tokai Road
Tokai
7945

Tel: +27 (0)21 712 2337 / 0527
Email: tablem@sanparks.org
Website: http://www.sanparks.co.za/parks/table_mountain/default.php

This natural world heritage site, and Natural New 7 Wonder of the World, is a haven of magnificent mountains and beaches.

The mountain – originally named Hoerikwaggo – “Mountain in the Sea” by the indigenous Khoisan people of the Cape, stretches from Signal Hill in the north, to Cape Point in the South and is also home to the world’s smallest, yet most diverse floral kingdom, The Cape Floristic Region.

Integrated into the City of Cape Town, this is South Africa’s most visited Park. The seas around the Cape Peninsula are rich in marine biodiversity because it is where the cold Benguela and warm Atlantic currents mix. In 2004 the Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (MPA) was pronounced to help ensure that commercial and recreational use of the ocean is sustainable. The MPA includes 1000km2 of the sea and coastline around the Cape Peninsula from Moullie Point in the North to Muizenberg in the south.

There’s plenty to do and see, with key attractions being:

  • Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope
  • Boulders Penguin Colony
  • Silvermine
  • Table Mountain
  • Signal Hill and Lions Head

 

Five things to see and do 

  • Visit the penguins – Established in 1983, The Boulders Penguin Colony near Simons Town is the home to more than 2000 African Penguin. Tourist-friendly walkways enable visitors to get close to these intriguing sea birds.
  • Book an overnight hike – there are two overnight hiking trails namely the Hoerikwaggo Trail and the Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail. Plan your hike well in advance – they are extremely popular!
  • Get active – walking, rock-climbing, hiking, surfing, swimming, angling, scuba diving, kite-boarding, mountain-biking, hang/paragliding, horse-riding and good old picnicking are some of the activities on offer.
  • Take the Cableway – to the top of Table Mountain. The five-minute cable car trip take you 1 089 metres above Cape Town and is wheelchair accessible.
  • Picnic at Silvermine – pack a picnic and spend a leisurely afternoon here among the Fynbos.

 

Information from the SANParks website.