1 Introduction Please note: View information specific to the December 2014 / January 2015 festive season. The Wild Card office will be closed on 3 December 2014 from 12:30 - 16:00 for staff training. We apologise for any inconveniece caused. The TMNP Wild Card office will close on the 24th of December 2014 at 14:00 and reopen on the 5th of January 2015 at 08:00. All enquiries for activity permits and green cards can be processed through The Main office for Cape Town Tourism, 021 487 6800 or you can email them on [email protected]. Wild Card enquiries can be processed via www.sanparks.org/wild_new/tourism/contact.php or via their helpline on 0861 46 9453. We are experiencing problems with one of our main telephone lines: 021 712 2337, which is currently not working. As an alternative please use: 021 7120527. We apologise for any inconvenience and hope to get sorted soon. The following extensions are also not working (including our fax line): Finance Office Tokai Field Office Fax line: 021 713 1542 Please note that due to bookings for film and photography within TMNP being made well in advance, requests relating to World Design Capital for the months of September - mid December 2014 have unfortunately already reached maximum capacity, including Signal Hill. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Wild Card, Activity Permit and Green Card sales are now at the Tokai Plantation Office, also in Tokai Road. Tel: 021 712 7471. Please note we recommend you retain your proof of purchase or renewal letter for your Wild Card membership in your car, to facilitate entry at TMNP gates when the power is down. The Wild Card office does not have a wheelchair ramp; please call in advance to make arrangements for access on 021 712 7471. Open Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 16:00. For directions to the new office herewith a map to Tokai Manor House and Wild Card Sales. This natural world heritage site, and Natural New 7 Wonder of the World, is a haven of magnificent mountains plunging into crystal seas fringed with bleached white sands of the Cape Peninsula. The mountain chain stretches from Signal Hill in the north, to Cape Point in the South and is also home to the world’s smallest, yet most diverse floral kingdom, The Cape Floristic Region. Table Mountain National Park is a must-visit for anyone in Cape Town, local or international. From open access hikes and beautiful forest walks to pristine picnic and day-visit spots to secluded picturesque accommodation facilities throughout the park, there is plenty to do, see and experience. Conservation fees are payable at only three access-controlled sections of the park, Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Penguin Colony and Silvermine. Must sees for this park include: Cape Point, Cape of Good Hope Boulders Penguin Colony Silvermine Table Mountain Signal Hill and Lions Head Page 1 Accommodation Prohibited Activities There are various activities that are not allowed in the TMNP for various environmental reasons: No quad-biking anywhere No two-wheel motorcycles allowed. No personal water craft (jet skis) within the TMNP MPA – with the exception of an exemption issued to members of Tow Surf South Africa. The exemption allows for the use of jet skis to tow-surf on the exceptionally large waves found within the MPA during the winter months. The strict conditions are stipulated in their exemption. No dune boarding anywhere No jet skis – with the exception of tow-in/safety reasons at Dungeon's and Sunset's under conditions stipulated in the permit. No kite-surfing on inland park waters. Permits are required for events and commercial activities. Important Notice: Due to technical (data line inadequacies) and logistical/design (availability of parking and office/admin space) constraints coupled with the large numbers of visitors at the COGH entrance to the Table Mountain National Park we have never been able to sell WILD Cards at this entrance point. The old practice of paying the normal conservation fee at the COGH entrance and then obtaining a credit/refund on purchasing a WILD Card at the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre within the Park has been stopped as our auditors have indicated that this practice is not in compliance with the Public Finances management Act. Books of Interest It is recommended that you purchase Mountains in the Sea – an Interpretive Guide to Table Mountain National Park by award winning environmental journalist John Yeld. The book comprehensively covers all aspects of the Park from biodiversity issues to popular hikes and history. It is available from TMNP outlets at: Tokai Tourism Office, Tel.: +27(0) 21 712 7471, Boulders Penguin Colony, Tel: +27(0) 21 786 2392 and Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre, Tel: +27(0) 21 780 9204 Two Oceans: A Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa by Professor George Branch Essential Information What to bring Although the Table Mountain National Park is primarily a day-visit park there are several items that no-one should be without whether for a casual stroll or a more serious hike: Page 2 It is highly recommended that you purchase Mountains in the Sea – an Interpretive Guide to Table Mountain National Park by award winning environmental journalist John Yeld. The book comprehensively covers all aspects of the Park from biodiversity issues to popular hikes and history and will enrich any visitor’s enjoyment and appreciation of the Park. It is available from TMNP outlets at Tokai Tourism Office, Tel. 021 712 7471, Boulders Penguin Colony, Tel. 021 786 2329 and Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre, Tel. 021 780 9204. Also essential are: A good map – Peter Slingsby’s maps are endorsed by the Park. Visit The Maps for more information. Sun hat and sun block As outdoor lighting in camps is limited, a torch/headlamp is required when walking outside at night Sufficient water Energy snacks Sturdy hiking boots Wet weather gear/ wind breakers Punch emergency number into your mobile: 0861 106 417 Visitor Safety Table Mountain National Park is a Park within a City and its urban context presents Park staff with some unique management challenges. Two of these are these are mountain safety and security issues. Many people think that because Table Mountain is in the middle of a City that it is simply an easy walk to the top – a serious misconception. The reality is that it is a serious mountain standing 1000 meters above sea level and offers challenging, sometimes dangerous, hikes and is characterised by inconsistent weather. These factors result in people getting lost and injured. Also as the TMNP is primarily an open access Park from time to time there is criminal activity in some of the urban edge areas of the Park. In answer to both these challenges the TMNP recruited and deployed Visitor Safety Officers (VSO’s) to patrol popular use zones in the Park. The VSO’s give advice to hikers as well as act as a deterrent to criminals. For some hints and tips for a hassle free visit to the TMNP please download the Visitor Safety Brochure. Climate When hiking in or visiting the Table Mountain National Park, it is advisable to ensure that you are equipped for all weather types. TMNP and Cape Town have a Mediterranean climate – characterised by typically hot, dry summers and short, wet, yet mild winters. Cape Town is also known for the South Easter winds that often rip through the city in Summer. With the mountain topography of the Park – this means that weather patterns can change quickly, often creating a hot, clear day in one area, and rainy, misty conditions in another. Page 3 Be advised to bring all weather-gear when hiking visiting TMNP as you can never quite predict the weather patterns. View the seven day Cape Town weather forecast. People with Disabilities Information about the facilities offered by Table Mountain National Park in the interests of universal access can be found here. Tourism Partners When in doubt about where to go and what to do please be sure to contact our official tourism organisations: Cape Town Tourism: Cnr. Burg and Castle Street Cape Town, Western Cape South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 21 487 6800 Fax: +27 (0) 21 487 6899 Email: [email protected] www.tourismcapetown.co.za If you want to travel further a-field in the Western Cape contact: Cape Town Routes Unlimited Private Bag X9108 Cape Town 8000 South Africa Tel: +27 (0) 21 487 4800 Fax: +27 (0) 21 487 4801 Email: [email protected] www.tourismcapetown.co.za Brochures Please note you will require Adobe PDF viewer to view the brochures. Attractions Download Cape of Good Hope Front Back Boulders Penguin Colony Front Back Silvermine Front Back Table Mountain Front Back Accommodation Olifantsbos Cottage Front Back Wood Owl Cottage Front Back Eland & Duiker Front & Back Accommodation Guide Front Back Hiking Trails Cape of Good Hope Hiking Trail Front Back Environmental Education Environmental Education Programme Advert General Park Information TMNP brochure Brochure Page 4 Main Attractions Cape of Good Hope Boulders Table Mountain Silvermine Signal Hill and Lions Head Beaches Please note that Peter Slingsby publishes the only maps endorsed by the TMNP. Where can I find these maps? The Cape of Good Hope So named by Portugal's King John II this area has captured the imagination of European sailors such as Dias who first named it the Cape of Storms in 1488 and later in 1580 Sir Francis Drake who called it the "The Fairest Cape in all the World".