The Table Mountain National Park is situated at the southern-most tip of Africa and encompasses the iconic Table Mountain. There are a number of excellent activities to do while exploring the reserve.
Table Mountain National Park Top Activities
Table Mountain National Park is recognised as being extraordinary in its richness and diversity of both plant and animal life. It offers a large variety of activities that visitors can enjoy while exploring the nature reserve. A majority of the national park is open access; however there are three main points of entry where visitors will need to pay conservation fees, namely; Cape of Good Hope, Boulders Beach and Silvermine.
Anytime spent in this beautiful piece of nature will be time well spent, but to help you navigate your way around, here are my top 6 things to do while in the Table Mountain National Park
1. Hike up Lions Head
Located at the northern section of the national park, a hike up Lions Head offers visitors a chance to stretch their legs and work off some of the holiday indulgences as you head up the gravel path that twists and winds itself around this iconic section of Table Mountain. Visitors can park at the base of the mountain along the road towards Signal Hill and walk from their car.
There is no entrance fee and visitors are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and to take water, sun block, a hat, and of course, their cameras. The hike offers magnificent 360° views of Cape Town as you walk around the peak. There are 2 ladders to climb along the way and the more adventurous can climb up a section of chains - there is a way around for those wanting to keep their feet planted to the ground. Once up at the top the views are truly breath-taking.
4. Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens are located on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain and cover 36 hectares of protected mountainside. The gardens are filled with a rich diversity of plant and bird species and visitors to the popular attraction can enjoy a walk through the different sections of the park, a picnic on the rolling lawns or a delicious meal at the restaurant. Live music concerts are held on Sunday evenings in summertime and are a wonderful way to soak up the sunshine and enjoy some of South Africa's culture and music.
5. Boulders Beach
One should not miss the opportunity to explore Boulders Beach while in the Cape Town area. Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Boulders Beach offers visitors the opportunity to explore a dunes and coastline along wooden walkways in search of the friendly black and white characters, the African Penguins that are found here. Located just around the corner from Simons Town, on your way to Cape Point, the Boulders Beach colony is a must-do activity.
6. Cape Point
Cape Point is located at the tip of the Cape Peninsula, 60 kilometres (37.2 miles) from the city of Cape Town. Cape Point is a fantastic destination for a day out exploring and offers the visitors the opportunity to enjoy some gameviewing, bird watching, Whale watching and hiking. There are a number of different animals in the reserve including Zebra, Eland and Baboons and the birdlife is spectacular with over 250 different species of birds being found in the nature park alone.
Day visitors can also enjoy a trip up to the viewpoint below the lighthouse in the Flying Dutchman funicular or a picnic at one of the picnic spots dotted throughout the reserve. Stop for a light lunch at the Two Oceans Restaurant while overlooking the crashing waves and perhaps watching a Whale play in the water below.
Table Mountain National Park is a unique and urban Western Cape Nature Reserve stretching from Signal Hill in the city to dramatic Cape Poin...
Do something really unique and swim with Penguins - there is only one place in the world where this is possible! Boulders Beach in the Table...