Table Mountain National Park South Africa, South Africa safaris to Table Mountain Park, Table Mountain National Park Safari Holidays.

The Hoerikwaggo literally translated as the Mountain in the Sea is noted to be its initial name given by the indigenous Khoisan people despite the fact that the Mountain history dates back to approximately 30,000 years including the Stone Age era.

Admiral Antonio de Saldanha a Portuguese Navigator is noted to be the first European to summit Table Mountain in May 1503.

He anchored his ship in the Table bay and followed the Platteklip Gorge to reach at the peak. It was from then that a range of world travellers began to explore the mountain.

Table Mountain was later gazetted into a national Park and is new seventh wonder of Nature. The Park was established on May 29th 1998 surrounded by the City explaining its fragmentation as a result of urban development and the private lands.

The park is open access featuring only four (4) managed pay points which has partly made it the most explored park with an annual visitor arrival of 4.2million.

Before its gazettion as a national park, the 30,000 ha was identified as Cape Peninsula Protected Natural Environment (CPPNE) and apparently, the Table Mountain National Park features 25,000 ha of the CPPNE and the South African National Parks Authority intends to add the remaining 5,000 ha to the park. The Park’s jurisdiction also features 1,000 km2 of the coastline andseas around the peninsula.

The Table Mountain National Park also features the famous Cape Floral Kingdom (CFK) which is the smallest and yet the richest of the world’s six (6) floral kingdoms.

The CFK stretches between western and eastern Cape and in the month of June 2004, it was recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site thus becoming of universal significance to mankind.

The park shelters two remarkable landmarks namely; the Table Mountain and the famous Cape of Good Hope.

The park is aligned from north to south with series of Mountains including Signal Hill to the north, Lion’s Head, Table Mountain, Constantiaberg, Silvermine, the southern peninsular mountains ending at Cape Point.

Attractions in Table Mountains National Park

Flora as a South Africa Safari attraction in Table Mountains National Park

The Park belongs to the Cape Floristic Region supporting a wide range of flora some of which is endemic and rare.

The flora species like erica,restio, Protea and Asteraceae along with geophytes thrive in the park.

The common flora species in the Table Mountains National Park is the Fynbos which means fine bush.

The ancient vegetation type dates far back to 60 million years featuring a high level of endemism with four (4) plant groups including the Proteas marked by large broad leaved shrubs; Erica’s marked by heath-like shrubs that are low growing; Restios marked by reed-like plants and Geophytes marked by bulbs including watsonias and disa which thrive in wetland areas.

The Fynbos are fire dependent species that would require to burn after 15 years invigorating new growth. Besides the Fynbos, the Table Mountain National Park also feature Renosterveld which is a vegetation type thriving on Devil’s peak and Signal Hill, Afro montane forest and the River and wetland systems.

Fauna as a South Africa Safari in Table Mountains National Park

The Table Mountains National Park feature a range of mammals including the klipspringer, Grysbok, common duiker, Grey Rhebok, steenbok, Eland, Red Hartebeest, Bontebok, Cape Mountain Zebra, caracal, Large-spotted genet, Small-spotted genet, porcupine, Rock Hyrax, Chacma Baboons, Cape Clawless Otter, Water mongoose, Cape Molerat, Striped Polecat, Cape Dune Mole, Water mongoose, Small Grey Mongoose and the Cape Fox.

The park is also a home to Reptiles and Amphibians including 22 snakes among which 10 are non-venomous while the five most venomous include; Cape Cobra, Boomslang, Puff Adder, Berg Adder and Rinkhals; Lizard species include; Southern Rock Agama, Black Girdled Lizard and the Cape Skink. The frogs include the Table Mountain Ghost Frog which is endemic and endangered, Cape River frog among others.

Birds as a South Africa Safari attraction in Table Mountains National Park

The diverse habitats of Table Mountains National Park including the ocean, cliff-face,shoreline, rocky highland, forest,fynbos along with suburbia shelter myriad of bird species.

The Fynbos regions, bird species include; Grey-backed Cisticola, Karoo Prinia, Cape Sugarbird, Orange-breasted, Malachite and Lesser Double Collared sunbirds, Cape Siskin, Cape Rock-thrush and Ground Woodpecker.

The raised altitudes feature birds of prey including Verreaux’s Eagle, Jackal and Steppe buzzards, Rock Kestrel and Peregrine Falcon.

The forest landscapes feature counts of Sombre Bulbul, Olive Thrush, Cape Batis, Dusky and Paradise flycatchers, African Olive/ Rameron Pigeon and Cinnamon Dove. Others include; African Wood-Owl, Rufous-breasted Sparrowhawk and African Goshawk.

The peninsula features counts of African Penguin while Cape Gannet, Black-browed Albatross, White-chinned and Giant petrels and Sooty Shearwater might be explored throughout the year when they are drawn close to the shore following strong winds. The winter periods, species like Shy and Yellow-nosed albatross along with Pintado Petrel.

The Peninsula coastline features endangered African Black Oystercatcher might be explored along with four (4)cormorant species that are resident namely; Crowned, Bank, White-breasted and Cape Cormorants and Kelp, Hartlaub’s and Black-headed gulls.

Cape of Good Hope as a South African Safari Attraction in Table Mountains National Park

The Cape of Good Hope was named by the John II – the Portuguese King.

The site became profound among the European sailors including Dias who had initially named it Cape of Storms in the year 1488 and later Sir Francis Drake who named it the fairest cape in the world in the year 1580.

As a result, the Cape is historical and listed among top attractions in South Africa.

The Area also features the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre demonstrating various plants and animals, lighthouses for sightseeing along with it being a destination for the outdoor enthusiasts including; surfing, hiking, angling, beaching,and picnicking along with cycling encounters.

Boulders Penguin Colony as a South African Safari Attraction in Table Mountains National Park

Boulders Penguin Colony is in Simons Town featuring endangered land based African Penguins Colony which is among the very few on global scale making it a remarkable destination worth exploring on a safari in South Africa.

The Boulder section of Table Mountain National Park comprise of three (3) unexploited beaches, one (1) penguin viewing area along with three (3) board walks.

Table Mountain as a South African Safari Attraction in Table Mountains National Park

Table Mountains are among the remarkable mountains on the continent of Africa and listed as the New 7 wonder of Nature.

The mountains feature a table cloth of clouds pouring endlessly on its slopes when the south-easter winds blow.

The Mountain features ancient Afro montane forest and the magical terrain make it a darling for adventure hikers and climbers in the close peri urban landscape.

Tourist Activities in Table Mountains National Park

Hiking as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

Table Mountain National Park feature exciting trails for beginners and expert hikers. The routes along the greater Table Mountain chain are impressively designed offering magnificent sights of the deep blue seas, City of Cape Town along with rugged mountains.

The trails up to Platteklip Gorge (north face), Skeleton Gorge andNursery Ravine with the last two connected to from Kirstenbosch Gardens are active while the easier trails traverse the Silver mine, Constantiaberg and the Cape of Good Hope.

Forest Walks asa South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The Afromontane forest feature counts of birds, smaller animals a range of invertebrates. The walks traverse the Newlands forest, Orange Kloof in Hout bay; Spes Bona and echo Valleyon the Muizenberg mountains. The boardwalks exist to minimize trampling

Fishing / Extractive diving as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area (MPA) is a famous fishing area where the extractive divers and the boat–based and shore fisher people thrive.

As a result of commercial pressure, the activity is regulated and some intense activities like recreational perlemoen diving is prohibited. Fishing permit is required.

Dog Walking as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

Table Mountains National Park is one of the few South African Parks where one can be allowed to walk a dog though still restricted to limited scope to reduce the impact on biodiversity.

The popular areas for the dog walking encounter include; Silvermine, Noordhoek Beach,the lower slopes of Table Mountain connected from Constantia Nek, and lower section of the Tokai Plantation.

Scuba Divingas South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The Table Mountain National Park Marine Protected Area offer impressive Scuba diving encounters. The activity is carried out at Oudekraal on the Atlantic Seaboard, Maori wreck off the Sentinel in Hout Bay andSmitswinkel and Miller’s Point in False Bay.

Mountain Biking as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The mountain biking encounter is carried out along the slopes of Table Mountains National Park and designated areas exist for this particular activity to minimize its impact on environment. The popular biking areas include; Tokai Plantation and Silvermine.

Rock/Sport Climbing as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The huge boulders and the rocky ledges of the Mountain present an impressive climbing experience. The climbing areas are well designated and present remarkable sightseeing experience of this New 7 Wonder of the Natural World.

Horse Riding as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The Horse riding activity is conducted in given areas of Table Mountains National Park with the popular areas being Noordhoek Beach, Black Hill and Tokai,

Cable Car encounteras a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

This presents remarkable sight-seeing opportunity in the Table Mountains. The Arial Cable Way commenced this activity in 1929 and the five (5) minutes trip to the summit of Table Mountains 1,089m above Sea Level is a remarkable lifetime adventure worth exploring.

Abseiling as a South African Safari Activity in Table Mountains National Park

The 112m abseiling encounter is an adventurous experience in the famous Table Mountains worth undertaking.

Accommodation in Table Mountains National Park

Eland and Duiker Cottages

The Eland and Duiker Cottages are positioned in the Cape of Good Hope partof Table Mountain National Park. Accommodation is presented for a maximum of six (6) persons and the cottages feature;
Eland Family Cottage:

• 1 bedroom with double bed
• 1 bedroom with 2 single beds
• 1 bedroom with bunk beds

Duiker Family Cottage:

• 1 bedroom with double bed
• 1 bedroom with 2 single beds
• 1 bedroom with bunk bed

Facilities atEland and Duiker Cottages

• Electricity
• Fully equipped kitchens
• Linen
• Jet master fire place in both cottages
• Outside braai areas.

Accommodation Rates for Eland and Duiker Cottages

Overseers Cottage

The Overseers Cottage is positioned near  de Villiers Dam along the Back Table Jeep Track and stands as a stone built unit presenting accommodation in two cottages with maximum occupancy  of sixteen (16) people.
Klipspringer Cottage

• Main Cottage taking up to 10 people
• Disa Cottage taking up to 6 People

Cottage facilities

• Gas stove
• Fridges
• Braai facilities
• All cutlery, crockery and kitchen equipment
• Bed & beddings
• Towel
• Klipspringer features two (2) hot showers and two (2) toilets
• Disa has a single toilet but no shower
• External showers and toilets though commonly locked
• No hot water since there is no gas supply
• Outside cold water shower

 Orange Kloof tented camp

Orange Kloof Tented Camp is positioned in an Afromontane forest in Hout bay and was opened  in 2007. The accommodation at Orange Kloof is on self-catering arrangement.
Facilities at Orange Kloof Tented Camp

• Fully equipped communal kitchen
• Maximum occupancy 12 persons.
• Four-sleeper family tent
• Four two-sleeper tents
• All tents feature single beds, sheets and mattresses.
• Electric lighting.
• Two communal ablution blocks
• Hot and cold running water in the shower units.

 Accommodation Rates for Orange Kloof Tented Camp

Silvermine tented camp

Silvermine Tented Camp is a luxury facility positioned on the summit of Ou Kaapse Weg a beautiful nature reserve. The Camp presents accommodation in;

• One tent taking up to four (4) people
• Four tents taking two (2) people each.
• Communal kitchen
• Outdoor braai area.
• Hot showers in one ablution block
• Toilets in a different ablution block

Wood Owl Cottage

The Wood Owl Cottage was initially an Old forester’s cottage located in the middle of Tokai pine plantation on the Constantiaberg slopes.

Accommodation is presented in three (3) double en suite rooms and can take up to six (6) rooms.
Facilities

• Open plan kitchen
• Living area

 Google Map Showing the official Location of Table Mountain National Park

The Table Mountains National Park is portioned in three (3) areas;

Table Mountain section

The Table Mountain section features the Signal Hill, Table Mountain proper, Lion’s Head, Back Table, Devil’s Peak,Orange Kloof – a special area not accessed by public and the Twelve Apostles – which is seventeen (17) peak series stretching along the Atlantic sea board.

Silvermine-Tokai section

The Silvermine section stretches from northwest to southwest traversing the peninsular from the Atlantic sea board to the False Bay coast covering Steenberg Peak,Constantiaber and Kalk Bay mountains.

Cape Point section

The Cape point section covers the Cape of Good Hope to the northern areas of Scarborough- Atlantic coast along with Simon’s Town on the False Bay coast.

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