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2 Mountain

Uploaded by

ntokozomlotshwa10
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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(Adapted from: https://tablemountainnational

park.org)

Table Mountain
Question/Vraag 2.4
Table Mountain
Table Mountain is an iconic landmark in South Africa. It is one of the
country's most photographed attractions and its famous cableway (see
page Question/Vraag 2.5) has taken millions of people to its top.

Table Mountain has become the single most welcoming landmark to not
only our people, but to travellers from all over the world. This mountain
has many surprises awaiting to be discovered. It is much more than a
scenic background from where you can take a breath-taking photo of the
city of Cape Town.

The flat top peak of the mountain reaches 1 086 m above sea level, but
being so close to the sea and to the city its features look more imposing.
There are about 2 200 species of plants found on Table Mountain and 1
470 floral species. Many of these plants and flowers are endemic to this
mountain.

The magnificent Kirstenbosch Garden is found on the eastern foothills of


the mountain. Founded in 1913, the gardens span an area of 1 300 acres
and includes a unique conservatory with plants from different parts of the
world. The whole area surrounding the mountain has a biodiversity that is
rare to find in other places. The mountain area has many valleys and
streams that make it an idyllic getaway from the city of Cape Town.

The Table Mountain National Park's most unique feature is its fynbos
vegetation, one of the richest floral regions in the world. Over 70% of the
flowers are endemic to the Table Mountain. It is no wonder that the
mountain was chosen as one of the new seven wonders of the world.

Although animals such as the cape lion, mountain zebra or leopard are no
longer found here, the park is still home to caracals, rock hyraxes or
chacma baboons. The African penguins flock all over the rocks to Boulders
Beach – a unique sight in Africa.
Besides the Table Mountain, Cape Town contains another one of South
Africa's attractions, the Cape of Good Hope, the most southern point of
the African continent.
History
The Khoi and San people named the mountain Hoerikwaggo or Mountain
of the Sea. But the history of this mountain dates back to more than 30
000 years ago. There is some evidence that the mountain was inhabited
in the Stone Age, as hand axes were found in the Kirstenbosch Garden.

The mountain was held sacred by the Khoi and San people as they
believed their god (Tsui or Goab) lived there.

The first European to see the Cape was Bartholomew Dias in 1448. In
1497, Vasco da Gama reported seeing it as well.

The first recorded climb of the mountain was undertaken by the


Portuguese navigator, Admiral Antonio de Saldanha, in 1503. It was de
Saldanha who gave the mountain its name, Taboa da Caba, meaning
Table of the Cape. Since then, many people from all around the world
have climbed the mountain.

The cable car opened in 1929 making reaching the summit easier than
ever before. More than 22 million people have used the cable car which
was renovated and re-opened in 1997.

The mountain gained natural park status in 1998. In 2004 the Cape
Floristic Region was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Hiking
The Table Mountain National Park has popular hiking trails with the most
beautiful scenery. There are over 350 trails that lead to the top of the
mountain. It caters for all types of hikers, from casual strollers to the more
experienced ones.

The easier trails include Constantiaberg, Silvermine or the Cape of Good


Hope, while the more difficult trails are Platteklip Gorge, Nursery Ravine
and Skeleton Gorge.
Hiking the Table Mountain National Park is mostly free with the exception
of some areas where conservation fees have to be paid like, at the
Kirstenbosch Garden, Cape Point or Boulders Beach.

Its close proximity to the city makes many people feel safe in the park,
However, the area is wild and climbing it can be especially dangerous.
Many hiking trails commence from Camps Bay.

The Table Mountain National Park is very well marked but if you are
inexperienced you may want to hike with a group.

Free Walking Guides


There are enthusiastic volunteers who offer free guided walks on the
second Sunday of each month. The meeting point is at the main gate. All
hikers should wear strong boots, and carry a hat, sunscreen, water,
raincoat and a snack.

A 'Wild card' giving entrance to all parks can be obtained from the
Tourism Sales Office at 021 528 9563 (closed daily between 12:30 –
13:00).

Enquiries at John: 082 742 4289 or Ian: 066 942 3584.


Facts
1. The History:
i Table Mountain is the only South African and only natural site on
this planet to have a constellation of stars named after it. The
constellation is called 'Mensa' which means 'table' in Latin.
ii The mountain is now officially recognized as one of the seven
wonders of the world.
iii Table Mountain is often covered in cloud which is referred to as
its 'table cloth'.
iv It is South Africa's most photographed landmark.
2. The Land:
i Table Mountain is featured on Cape Town's flag.
ii There are many caves on Table Mountain and the biggest one is
Wynberg.
iii The rocks on the mountain are over 600 000 000 years old,
making Table Mountain one of the oldest mountains in the world.
iv More than 70% of all the plants found on the mountain are
endemic, meaning they are not found anywhere else.
v Having withstood 6 million years of erosion, it hosts the richest
floral kingdom on earth, with more than 1 470 floral species.
3. The People:
i Over 800 000 people visit it each year.
ii The Khoi people used to call the mountain Hoerikwaggo
(Mountain of the Sea).
iii The first European to climb the mountain, Antonio de Saldanha,
called it Taboa da Caba (Table of the Cape).
Access
There are many ways to get up to the top of Table Mountain.

Cableway
The most popular way up to the top of the mountain is to use the cable
car which has transported visitors since 1929. There are various areas of
the Table Mountain National Park where one has to pay entry fees, for
example to: Boulders Beach, Silvermine, Cape Hope, Oudekraal, Tokai
picnic site, etc.

Some parts of Table Mountain are not yet connected by bus; so, if you
wish to see all of them in a day, your best option is to do it by car.

Access routes to the Table Mountain National Park are:

Boulders Beach is located in Simon's Town, on the M4 freeway.


Alternatively, you can go to Muizenberg via the M3 and M5 and from there
continue to the M4.

Kirstenbosch Garden is closer to the city centre, less than 20 minutes


with no traffic. Getting there is best travelled via the M3 and M63.

Oudekraal is located on the M6 route between Camps Bay and


Llandudno.
Cape Point is naturally the furthest destination from the city centre as it
is the southernmost point of the continent. One can reach it either via the
M4, passing through Simon's Town or by using the M3, M64, M6 and M4
routes.

TABLE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL


PARK MAP

Cableway Ticket Sales


Using the cable car is by far the fastest and easiest way of reaching the
summit of the mountain.

The best option to get to the cable car station is to take the bus, because
parking is limited. There is a bus station at Kloof Nek Road.

Cable Car Tickets and Hours


Tickets include:
 1-day access to the hop-on-hop-off buses
 Multilingual audio guide/Walking tour guide
 Table Mountain aerial view
 Cableway return ticket

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