Table Mountain, Cape Town

Table Mountain Cape Town is one of the world's most well known and beautiful landmarks. It creates a majestic backdrop to the city of Cape Town, and gives visitors the benefits of a unique natural attraction within view and easy walking distance of the city.

Table Mountain was so named because it is very flat on top and has steep sides. In fact, it looks very much like a giant table.

Sometimes the mountain is covered by a low cloud, which falls over the edge of the mountain and dissipates. This spectacular sight is known as the "Table Cloth".

Table Mountain is part of a range of mountains and hills that stretch from the city centre southwards to Cape Point, a distance of about 50 km. This entire area is protected as a national nature reserve.

There are over 550 walks on Table Mountain, from easy, flat walks to difficult rock climbs. Any person of reasonable fitness can experience the pleasures of Table Mountain on foot, and fitter individuals who enjoy hiking will find that there is almost limitless variety to the plants, scenery and environments of the mountain.

The Cableway is a less demanding way to get to the top of the mountain and provides a thrilling ride with glorious views of the city and beyond. On top you can go for an easy walk, have a relaxed lunch, and lie in the sun while you look over the world below.

If you are more daring you may want to try paragliding, bungee jumping, rock climbing or mountain biking. Cape Town is a huge attraction for adventurous people, and there are courses and facilities for all kinds of activities.

The incredible plant life of Table Mountain is a wonder to scientists as much as it is to tourists. The mountain is covered in "fynbos", the type of plant found in small parts of the Cape area and nowhere else on earth. There are more species of plant on Table Mountain than there are in the whole of Sweden (which is an area over 1000 times larger!).

A fynbos plant which you might already know is "rooibos" which is used to make a delicious and healthy tea. The protea, seen in the photograph, is South Africa's national flower.

The animals of Table Mountain are not quite as plentiful as the plants, but are still varied and interesting. If you go up the Cableway you are sure to see "dassies", large rodents whose nearest genetic relative is supposed to be the elephant! There are many types of small antelope, and it is remarkable to watch them springing down the cliffs. The most fascinating animals on the mountain are probably the insects, butterflies and moths which have developed remarkable partnerships with the plants.

We hope that you get a chance to experience the joys of this very special mountain.

Table Mountain links

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company This is the website of the cable car company, and includes times, the weather, maps of how to get to the Cableway and special offers.

Southern Africa Places A walker's guide to the mountain, with descriptions of the main walks.

You do not need a guide to walk on the mountain, but it is safer and more fun to have someone who knows about the mountain to talk to - and encourage you!

Cape Mountain Meanders contains interesting short articles on geology and fynbos.