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Table National Park

VISITOR’S MAP

A SUSTAINABLE NATIONAL PARK SYSTEM CONNECTING TO SOCIETY A visual feast and adventure playground, this Natural World Heritage Site A Park and home to one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature is a haven of magnificent for all, plunging into crystal fringed with the white sands of the Peninsula. Add to this its awesome tapestry of natural and social history, and you forever have a destination that has something for everyone – from madcap adrenaline sport fans and families to nature lovers and history buffs.

At a glance Things to do

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) stretches () Take in 70km from Signal and in the the spectacular view from the most south- north to Cape Point in the south and includes a westerly point of the African . Marine Protected Area and many of the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Catch around the Peninsula. the rotating cable car to the of Table A Natural World Heritage Site, the TMNP is a Mountain and relish the vistas and fresh air. part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and is home Boulders Penguin Colony Take a walk along to many interesting animals and thousands of the boardwalk and observe the endangered exquisite plants and trees, many of which are in its natural environment or found nowhere else on ! take the kids for a swim at sheltered Boulders TMNP is a National Park situated entirely within . Please don’t touch or feed the penguins. the metropolitan city of . They might look cute and cuddly but their Two marine systems mix at Cape Point – the beaks are as sharp as razors and if they feel cold Benguela and the warm Agulhas – resulting threatened, they have no qualms about nipping in a startling array of marine life. the odd finger or nose. TMNP is one of South ’s tourism hotspots and ’s Head Climb Lion’s attracting over 4 million visits per year. Head for the awe-inspiring views or drive to the top of Signal Hill for a picnic with a remarkable TMNP is primarily an open access Park offering backdrop of Cape Town. visitors free access to many fantastic attractions. Conservation fees are payable at Cape Point, Beaches TMNP has some of the most unspoilt Boulders Penguin Colony, Silvermine and beaches on the . Noordhoek Oudekraal, as well as the following picnic sites: and Scarborough are spacious enough to Newlands,Tokai and Perdekloof. accommodate crowds and are also good for watching the sunset. The Cape of Good Hope section offers more seclusion with the benefit of beaches on both the Atlantic and False sides.

Alcohol is not allowed on beaches. Beware of dangerous rip currents. Discover Central to the appeal of TMNP is its and forest vegetation. Fynbos forms part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, which is the smallest floral kingdom the Cape and the only one within a single country. TMNP has in excess of 2 200 species of plants growing within its borders. These include such specials as the red disa Floral and the king . The indigenous forests are ancient and cool with trees of all Kingdom shapes and sizes lending an air of mystery and magic.

Did you know? Cape There are more Peninsula 471 km2 United plant species on the Kingdom 243 610km2 Cape Peninsula than in the whole of the United Kingdom.

Fauna The Park is home to a variety of mammals, reptiles and unique endemic Chacma baboons are great characters. They may be – some are timid and amusing but should be treated with respect and caution others are not so as they can be dangerous. friendly. Try and spot DON’T Beware of baboons How to behave if , and FEED THE confronted by a baboon: duiker on the slopes of Don’t consume food or drinks BABOONS Table Mountain as well in the presence of baboons. Stand still, remain calm and Please report as dassie, cobra and Don’t open your car doors, avoid eye contact. Sudden any incidences . windows or backpack in the movements may cause of people presence of baboons. aggression. The Cape of Good feeding baboons Don’t leave your car unlocked Move off the path or back Hope section has a to the nearest or leave food displayed in your away slowly. Don’t block the variety of antelope SANParks office. vehicle. baboon’s escape route. including the majestic Be aware that baboons Don’t try to retrieve anything eland, the endangered associate backpacks with food. until the baboon has lost bontebok and Don’t approach infant baboons interest in it. the beautiful red as they are fiercely protected hartebeest. by adults. A TWITCHER’S PARADISE Enthusiasts can look out for an array of terrestrial and coastal birds including Cape Sugarbird, African Penguin, Black- shouldered Kite, , African Fish-eagle, Spotted Eagle-owl, and Hartlaub’s Gull to name but a few. Visit our other National Parks Agulhas – at the southernmost tip of Africa Bontebok – a conservation success story just outside the town of Swellendam, off the – comprising Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma – offers great game viewing (including ) just outside Beaufort West, off the Tankwa Karoo – incredible star-kissed skies and wide open spaces West – a safe haven for thousands of seabirds lmportant visitor information Table Mountain National Park welcomes Don’t carry large sums of cash, and unpredictable and can change you and offers the following tips for a keep expensive jewellery and cameras suddenly. Wear walking shoes or trouble-free, relaxing visit to our Park. out of sight. hiking boots. In summer, wear a hat and sun block. Please remember that this is an urban Be constantly alert and aware of your park and from time to time the Park surroundings. Always take enough water, especially has experienced criminal activity on the in summer, as well as food in case of urban edge. We recommend that you After dark, don’t walk alone, take a delay. avoid remote, unpopulated areas. special care at isolated lookout points and park in secure, well-lit areas. Watch the weather and time, and Please note that you are required to leave turn back before you start running late the park at official gate closing times. Always let somebody know where or if bad weather threatens. you are going and how long you 24-hour, 7-days-a-week Emergency expect to be. Take your mobile phone loaded with Number: 086 110 6417 to report fires, the emergency number with you. poaching, accidents and crime. Baboons and animals: please do not Ensure it is hidden. Many areas of the feed any animals you come across as Park have mobile reception so you can WARNING: Wild fires can cause they could become aggressive. phone if you get into difficulty. loss of life and property. Fires are allowed only in designated braai MOUNTAIN SAFETY Be observant. Always take note areas. Don’t discard cigarette butts. Don’t hike alone; four is the ideal of your surroundings and possible number. If someone gets injured there weather changes. PERSONAL SAFETY are two to go for help and one person There is safety in numbers, don’t to remain with the injured party. Ensure you have a detailed map venture into unknown areas alone. with you when commencing a hike. Always pack wet weather gear Maps and useful park guides can Use only registered and accredited and a jersey, even in mid-summer. be purchased from most major tour guides, shuttles and taxis. The weather in Cape Town is bookshops.

Tokai Manor House, Tokai , Tokai + 27 21 712 0527 • [email protected] SANParks Central Reservations + 27 12 428 9111 • [email protected] • www.sanparks.org The areas under the control of SANParks are used entirely at your own risk and SANParks shall not be liable for any claims, accidents, injuries or loss, etc. arising from such use. Please note that visitors are subject to the conditions set in terms of Section 86 of the National Environmental Management Act (107 of 1998) and the National Environmental Act: Protected Areas Act (Act 57 of 2003) for the duration of their stay in the National Park. FREE Did you know? Every day, at A Guide to ENTRY 12 o’clock, the distinct boom of for a year the Noon Day Gun can be heard Accommodation for Wild Card across the city from the slopes of Fully equipped and self-catering Table Mountain members Signal Hill. A historic time signal in Reservations + 27 21 712 7471 0861 GO WILD (46 9453) Cape Town since 1806. (Monday to Friday) National Park www.sanparks.org V&A Waterfront TABLE Platteklip Wash House 24 Green Point BAY This historic house is situated at the foot of Table Mountain in upper Picnic and Braai , Marine Protected Area Signal Hill and Lion s Head . It sleeps 24 people and There are few things that beat is a popular venue for small weddings, N having a hearty meal in the Point Signal Hill 1 celebrations and conferences. midst of nature. TMNP has a variety of braai and picnic spots that are great places for family and friends to gather. Lion’s Clifton Head

N Aerial 2 Signal Hill offers excellent views of the city and Cableway Platteklip Wash House harbour. An ideal spot for picnics or watching Overseers Cottage 16 the sunset, favoured by tourists and locals all This cottage with its incredible views year round. TABLE MOUNTAIN Oudekraal A coastal delight that is situated on top of the back table, Enjoy breathtaking views at every Newlands offers some shelter from the wind a moderate 2 – 2.5 hours’ walk from turn on the short and relatively easy and a beautifully calm inlet to swim S Nek. walk up Lion’s Head. A must for those E and splash in. Tel: +27 21 712 7471 L T Kirstenbosch wanting the very best that the Park Oudekraal S O has to offer. P Overseers National Botanical A E Cottage Gardens V E L W T Cecilia Forest Aerial Cableway Llandudno M 6 Constantia The five-minute ascent to the top of Tented Camp Nek My Green Card Newlands Picnicking among the pine 6-12 Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Exclusive toM Cape Olifantsbos Cottage trees, you won’t know that you are in Wonders of Nature, offers a 360° Town residents,5 the M One of the most magnificent getaways the heart of Cape Town. Take a stroll view of Cape Town, the ocean and 3 card provides 12 in Cape Town, this isolated cottage is in the indigenous the neighbouring peaks. Once at the free entries into the situated right on its own beach in the afterwards. Tel: +27 21 689 7438 top visitors can enjoy spectacular park. Tel: +27 21 heart of the Cape of Good Hope views and the peaceful feeling of 712 7471 Section of the Park. being over 1 000 metres above the city below. Hout TMNP Bay Office Did you know? Karbonkelberg M 63 Silvermine is home to over 900 species Silvermine Possibly the most scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive of fynbos, made up of all braai sites, on the banks of the Rated as one of the most mainly of , with beautiful mountain views. spectacular marine drives Silvermine ericas and restios. Tel: +27 21 789 2404 in the world Chapman’s 6 Peak Eland & Duiker Cottages These cottages are also situated in the Cape of Good Hope Section of the Park but further inland than Silvermine Olifantsbos. Spectacular scenery, an abundance Noordhoek of fynbos and a popular spot for Tokai Very popular with a range of high-energy activities Capetonians. You can picnic and including hiking, rock climbing and St James braai in the shade of tall pine trees. mountain biking. It also has a number M Tel: +27 21 712 7471 65 of demarcated pathways for leisurely walks, more challenging trails for hikes and a picturesque boardwalk around the dam. Slangkop FALSE Hoerikwaggo Tented Camps Tented Camp BAY Orangekloof, Slangkop & 12 Smitswinkel The three Hoerikwaggo Tented Camps M Perdekloof (Red Hill) Bordering 65 within Table Mountain National Park on the Cape of Good Hope, this Simon’s are situated in picturesque natural site offers the cool shade of large Tow n surroundings and each offer a unique trees. Tel: +27 21 780 9100 experience – forest, fynbos, sea and Silvermine West Boulders mountain. Each camp sleeps 12 people +27 21 789 2404 | Gate Times Scarborough and offers secure parking, hot water, Boulders Summer (Sept – Apr) 07h00 – 18h00 comfy beds, fully equipped communal Winter (May – Aug) 08h00 – 17h00 Perdekloof dining/kitchen areas and bathrooms.

Buffels Bay In the Cape of Good Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point Hope right on the beach with stunning views of , this Vast tracts of fragrant fynbos combined with is a top spot to spend a relaxing a plethora of stunning beaches and bays day enjoying nature. Tel: +27 21 make each visit to this unspoilt area a delight. Smitswinkel M Eland & Duiker Tented Camp 4 780 9204 The history of the area dates back to the Cape of Good Hope Cottages days of the Khoi and Did you know?

San people. In the Cape of Good Castle Rock Information the Cape The Cape of Good Hope Section Hope is popularly of Good Hope was Entrance perceived as the Smitswinkel Boulders Penguin Colony visited by the great meeting point of Bay Nestled in a sheltered cove between Accommodation Portuguese explorers, Olifantsbos the Indian and Cottage Simon’s Town and Cape Point, Boulders Dias and Da Gama, Atlantic oceans. has become world famous for who are thought to Main Gate Geographically, its thriving colony of African have pioneered the however, the two Penguins and magnificent wind

Viewpoint route between Paulsberg oceans meet at sheltered beaches. and the East. . Picnic Site

Restaurant Main attractions Operating Times Buffelsfontein Bordjiesrif Hiking • Most south-westerly point of Africa Summer (Oct – Mar) 06h00 – 18h00 Visitor Centre • Cape Point Lighthouse Winter (Apr – Sept) 07h00 – 17h00 Buffels Bay Penguins • Funicular • Two Oceans Restaurant Flying Dutchman Funicular Table Mountain 09h00 – 18h00 / 09h00 – 17h00 • Short walks and a 2-day hiking trail +27 21 786 2329 | Gate Times National Park • Tidal pools, braai and picnic sites at Two Oceans Restaurant +27 21 780 9200 Feb – March 08h00 – 18h30 Tarred Bordjiesrif and Buffels Bay 09h30 – 17h30 / 7 days a week Apr – Sept 08h00 – 17h00 • Shipwrecks and historical monuments Visitor Centre +27 21 780 9204 Cape Oct – Nov 08h00 – 18h30 TMNP Marine • Game, bird and whale watching 08h00 – 17h00 / 7 days a week Point Dec – Jan 07h00 – 19h30 Protected Area TMNP MPA Restricted / “no The most south- Cape of Good take” zone westerly point of the Hope Did you know? The light of the African continent new Cape Point lighthouse is the most powerful on the South African coast, 0 1.25 2.5km with a range of 59 kilometres and an Marine Protected Area intensity of 10 million candlepower.