Table Mountain National Park, South Africa: where is it, when to go, what to see
Table Mountain National Park is a very large area of Cape Town that includes several attractions. It begins on Signal Hill in downtown and extends to the farthest tip of Cape Point Peninsula, bordering Cape Point Lighthouse. It can be said to be about 60 kilometers long, and that it ideally includes three sections plus a marine protected area. This large park is mostly characterized by scenery and natural attractions, even as it is interspersed with numerous civilized urban areas.
Here’s a guide to Table Mountain National Park in South Africa: where it is, when to go and what to see.
1. Where it’s located.
Table Mountain National Park is located in South Africa, in the city of Cape Town and along the entire Cape Peninsula.
- How to get there. Direct flights to Cape Town from Milan or Rome are not frequent, so there is often a stopover in Johannesburg. The main airlines are Alitalia and British Airways. Their flight time is about 15 hours – flights start at 238 euros.
- Direct flights are also available from major European capitals. Brith Airways flies directly from London Heathrow Airport, with a travel time of 11 hours.
- How to get to Table Mountain. At Cape Town Airport, take the My City bus, which will take you to the city center in 20 minutes. The cost is €1.70 and you will need to buy a card before boarding. Get off at the Lower Feldberg Road stop, and from there take the free bus, which will take you to the park entrance in a few minutes. At this point you can decide whether to take the comfortable cable car up in a couple of minutes or walk, but this is very tiring and recommended only for professionals. The cable car costs 360 South African rand (18 euros). All other attractions in the park can also be reached from the center, but if you choose to visit the Cape Peninsula, it may be advisable and preferable to rent a car to appreciate the view.
1. Where it’s located.
2. When to go? Information on climate and best times
- Climate: the seasons are reversed there. The climate is mild and temperate all year round. Average temperatures are quite high, and winters are never very cold.
- The best period is from November to February, as the average temperature is 25° and rainy days are really minor.
- The period to avoid is from June to August, given the low temperatures and the risk of encountering many rainy days that block access to some of the attractions of the place, such as Table Mountain.
- Tips: some attractions are very susceptible to weather at any time of year, especially Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. For this reason, you should inquire about climatic conditions before arriving at the site.
3 What to bring: Recommended clothing and equipment
- Clothing: windproof jacket, hiking boots, hat, scarf. We don’t need any special outfit, just comfortable clothes.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
1. Table Mountain: the flat mountain that gave its name to the park and is one of the 7 wonders of the world. It is accessible by gondola elevator.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
2. Signal Hill : A symbolic hill of Cape Town that is reproduced in images and brochures. It can be accessed in many ways.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
3. Twelve Apostles : a series of 17 peaks overlooking Camps Bay, one of Cape Town’s residential areas, with palm trees and surfers.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
4. Hout Bay : A town less than 15 km from Cape Town, known above all for its seal island, an island where hundreds of seals congregate.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
5. Boulder’s Beach : On the way to the Cape Peninsula, you can’t miss this attraction, as it is home to a colony of penguins in absolute freedom.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
6. Cape of Good Hope : a place of historical significance because in the past many explorers as well as Vasco de Gama set out to double it to reach India.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
7. Cape Point : A few steps from the Cape of Good Hope is the lighthouse that lights up the peninsula. It can be reached on foot with a half-hour walk or by cable car. This view is not to be missed.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
8. Chapman’s Peak Drive : a scenic toll road connecting the city of Cape Town to the outermost Cape Peninsula. A road trip allows you to circle the ocean and take in the magnificent views.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
9. Rhodes Memorial : a monument at the foot of Devil’s Peak, built in honor of Cecil John Rhodes, a very important figure in southern African history.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
10. Northhoek Beach : it can be found at Chapman’s Peak Drive, it is a long sandy beach, also very popular for horseback riding, a stone’s throw from the ocean waves.
4. 10 things to see: animals and sights
5. How much does it cost to visit Table Mountain? Prices, deals, and tips
The cost of living in South Africa and in Cape Town in particular, the city where the park is located, is very low : attractions cost a few euros and the average cost of dinner is about 17 euros. The cost of accommodation is also not high. Accommodation in hotels and pensions starts at 19 euros per room. A budget flight will cost about 238 euros. And a roundtrip flight back and a hotel for 7 days / 6 nights from 790.00 euros per person.
6. Useful information about South Africa
– Population: 55 million – Capital: Pretoria / Cape Town / Bloemfontein. – Languages: English – Local currency: Rand (1.00 Euro = 20 South African Rands) – Climate: mild, with an average temperature of 22 °. – Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required. Vaccination against yellow fever is only possible if you are coming from (or in transit through) countries where the disease is endemic. – Border crossing requirements: passport valid for 6 months; free visa required at the airport, valid for 90 days – Distance from Italy: 12380 km (11-15 hours flight time with connection)
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is a quite recognizable landmark in South Africa. It is a trademark of Cape Town and is depicted on the city’s flag. From Cape Town itself you should go to the mountain in a southwestern direction, it is impossible to get lost here. The mountain looms over the city and impresses with its size.
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Video: Table Mountain
History and Legends
People have lived in the Table Mountain area for 600,000 years. This, by the way, is confirmed by archaeological finds. In particular, tools of primitive man were found here more than once. So the local population has long admired this unusual mountain. There is even a legend about why it looks so strange. It is believed that God, after creating the earth, began to admire it, and he wanted to touch it. God touched the earth where Table Mountain is now, and because of his touch, the mountain became flat.
The first European who saw the mountain near Cape Town was a Portuguese. His name was Antonio de Saldanha. He arrived in these places in 1503. He was impressed by the extraordinary mountain and came up with a name for it. He named it “Table Mountain” because of its shape, which was flat and very much resembled a table. In addition, when the clouds descend on the mountain, enveloping it, and sometimes descending, it seems that the table was covered with a snow-white tablecloth. This gives Table Mountain even more charm.
Table Mountain gave its name to other mountains that, like it, had plateau-like peaks. In addition, Table Mountain even became a constellation. Nicolas Louis de Lacaille conducted astronomical observations near the mountain, and when he discovered a new constellation, he suggested that it be named after the mountain, only in French. This was back in 1756, but the name did not see the world until 1763. But in the world, the constellation is better known as Mensa. The constellation contains 24 stars. The stars are not very bright and are only visible in the Southern Hemisphere.
It is also believed that Table Mountain is a strong energy center. And this mountain is much stronger than the pyramids at Giza, because unlike them, it is non-manmade. In general, the Table Mountain invariably attracts the attention of the public. And it is even called one of the 7 natural wonders of the world.
What to see
Of course, people climb Table Mountain to see the magnificent views and enjoy nature. Its height is 1085 meters, and the flat top stretches for 3 kilometers. The ascent to the mountain is quite difficult, so you need to have some physical preparation. The routes are quite safe, but tourists are advised to go to the top with a group and a guide. On the way you can admire the nature, see several small waterfalls, colorful lizards, colorful birds. Be prepared for unexpected rains, which in this place can start at any minute.
If the ascent of 4 hours is not for you, you can use the cable car. The nearly vertical cable car takes two minutes to get to the top. At the same time you can look around 360 degrees and see the panoramic view directly from the cable car cabin. However, it is also worth remembering that the line to the cable car is very long. It can stand for about an hour, and the fare is 10 euros. The cable car is quite old. It first began carrying passengers in 1929, and the last reconstruction was carried out in 1997.
At the top you will see unique plants that grow nowhere else in the world. Rare species of plants and animals of Table Mountain are protected. The silver tree, unique orchids, and feinbos grow here. The latter is a fire-prone shrub, which often causes fires on Table Mountain. One could talk for hours about the magnificent view of Table Mountain, because it is its main attraction, but still, it is better to see once than read a thousand articles.
There’s also a chance to see the antelope frisbeaks, baboons, and damans, something in between a giant guinea pig and a rabbit. Strangely enough, these funny little creatures are the closest relatives of elephants.
Table Mountain is a remarkable geological formation, a true jewel in the crown of Cape Town, a famous cosmopolitan city in southwest Africa.
