Table Mountain National Park
Table Mountain National Park [1] is in the Western Cape province of South Africa.
Culture and History
Table Mountain National Park consists of the greater Table Mountain chain on the peninsula, stretching from the well known Table Mountain behind Cape Town south to Cape Point. In incorporates Table Mountain, Tokai Forest, Silvermine, a large area around Cape Point as well as a number of marine protected areas.
The park is busy with ongoing restructuring and development. New areas are constantly being added to the park in an effort to link the separated portions and expand the park.
Marine protected areas
- The coastal area around Boulders for the protection of penguins
- Cape of Good Hope marine restricted zone
- Castle Rock and Paulsberg restricted zone south of Boulders
- Karbonkelberg restricted zone around Llandudno
- Kalk Bay restricted zone
Cape Point, in the southern part of the park is the southern tip of the Cape Peninsula, it is not the Cape of Good Hope and not the southern tip of Africa, The most southernly point of the continent is at Cape Agulhas in the Overberg.
History
Landscape
Flora and fauna
The Cape Peninsula offers some typical fynbos vegetation. In the reserve are also a number of ostriches and antelopes. Please be aware of the baboons. They are used to people and often steal objects from tourists. Do not feed them!!! If a baboon approaches you, keep all food well hidden, and walk away facing the baboon but do not make eye contact. But as long as they are not attacking you, please leave them alone in their natural habitat (photos are allowed).
Climate
Travel to Table Mountain, visa requirements
Fees/Permits
There is currently no single pricing structure for the various areas of the park, but this is set to change in the near future.
Most sections of the park do not require any fees to be paid, specifically
- Table Mountain - Access on foot to the mountain is free, but a cable car return ticket costs R120.
- The southern area towards Cape Point
Other areas that do charge fees are
- Boulders - R25 per person. ( One can see the penguins without having to pay any fees, but the penguin's private beach is managed by TMNP and an entry fee is charged.
- Silvermine - R10 per person
- Oudekraal = R10 per person
- Perdekloof picnic site - R5 per person
- Newlands picnic site - R30 per site (up to 6 people)
- Tokai picnic site - R5 pe person
Get around
Table Mountain attractions and sightseeing
- Cape of Good Hope.
- Cape Point.
- Signal Hill and Lions Head.
City tours
- Hiking.
- Scuba diving.
Shopping, Table Mountain souvenirs
There is a small curio shop located at Cape Point
Good restaurants and cheap meals
Table Mountain
- Table Mountain Restaurant, On top of Table Mountain, close to the Upper Cable Station. hours. A 120 seat, self service restaurant. No booking required. From R20 for a simple breakfast.
Cape Point
- Two Oceans Restaurant, ☎ +27 (0)21 780-9200 (info@two-oceans.co.za, fax: +27 (0)21 780-9060), [2]. Open 9AM to 6PM during October to April and 9AM to 5PM during May to September.
Table Mountain nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Cape of Good Hope
- Olifantsbos Cottage, ☎ +27 (0)21 780-9204 (gloriad@sanparks.org), [3]. R1900.00 per night for the cottage (sleeps 6) (R200 per person for the annex (sleeps 2 and 4 respectively)).
- Eland and Duiker Cottages, ☎ +27 (0)21 780-9204 (gloriad@sanparks.org), [4]. R625.00 per night for 4 people (R108.00 per extra person (the cottages can sleep up to 6 people)).
Tokai Forest
- Wood Owl Cottage, ☎ +27 (0)21 712-7471 (joek@sanparks.org), [5]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM. R480.00 per night for 3 people (R160.00 per extra person (the cottage can sleep up to 6 people)).
Lodging
Camping
Backcountry
Stay safe
Be aware of approaching chacma baboons at Cape Point. They regularly attack tourists. They won't hurt you much, but steal food and other things from you. If one approaches you, walk backwards slowly, facing the baboon. When driving past in your car or stopping nearby, close all windows!
Get out
- Go to all the harbours and villages around the Cape Peninsula.
- Cape Town is an option with the V&A Waterfront and other attractions
- The Cape Winelands are less than an hour drive.
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