Table Mountain 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, mountains plunging into crystal seas fringed with the white sands of the Cape 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 Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point) Take in 70km from Signal Hill and Table Mountain in the the spectacular view from the most south- north to Cape Point in the south and includes a westerly point of the African continent. Marine Protected Area and many of the beaches Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Catch around the Peninsula. the rotating cable car to the summit 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 African Penguin in its natural environment or found nowhere else on Earth! take the kids for a swim at sheltered Boulders TMNP is a National Park situated entirely within Beach. Please don’t touch or feed the penguins. the metropolitan city of Cape Town. 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 Africa’s tourism hotspots Signal Hill and Lion’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 Cape Peninsula. 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 Bay sides. Alcohol is not allowed on beaches. Beware of dangerous rip currents. Discover Central to the appeal of TMNP is its fynbos and Afromontane 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 protea. 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 amphibians 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 klipspringer, caracal 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 puff adder. 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, Peregrine Falcon, African Fish-eagle, Spotted Eagle-owl, Jackal Buzzard and Hartlaub’s Gull to name but a few. Visit our other Western Cape National Parks Agulhas – at the southernmost tip of Africa Bontebok – a conservation success story just outside the town of Swellendam, off the N2 Garden Route – comprising Wilderness, Knysna and Tsitsikamma Karoo – offers great game viewing (including lions) just outside Beaufort West, off the N1 Tankwa Karoo – incredible star-kissed skies and wide open spaces West Coast – 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 Road, 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 Two Oceans Aquarium Vredehoek. 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 Sea 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 Camps Bay 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.