We’re very spoilt here in Cape Town. Within a few minutes we can escape the city throngs and be clambering along some of the most spectacular mountain trails oblivious to the sirens, traffic and car alarms below.
Part of the South African National Parks, the Table Mountain National Park is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown and encompasses the incredibly scenic Table Mountain Chain stretching from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south and the seas and coastline of the peninsula. We’ve had some beautiful weekend weather in among the recent rains, so I took the opportunity to have a go at Lion’s Head. A gentle warm up for my next expedition up Table Mountain. Or so I thought. Like Old King Cole, it took us about 45 minutes to get up and 45 minutes down, but it was rather more strenuous than I’d expected. It gets rather steep towards the end as I found myself huffing and puffing, but wow was it worth it!
I’ve just moved to Cape Town and there really is no better way to orientate yourself. The mountain air is invigorating and all the other walkers are high on endorphins, so the whole experience is rather convivial and social. It’s not a hard hike by any means, but it’s not quite a stroll in the park either. As I worked up a sweat and clambered up the ‘chains’ on all fours, I began to feel a little like Golum, especially as we passed a rather knotted old tree entwined into the rock face a la Mordor.
Boldy, we took on Hilary’s step (not really, but we had delusions of grandeur and mild altitude euphoria by this stage) and were dazzled by the spectacular vistas. The air is fresh and the summit is totally peaceful – find a rock and contemplate existential riddles. But not for too long – you’ll probably have worked up a rather savage appetite by now, but fear not – you can be chillaxing in the cafes of Camps Bay or enjoying a chilled glass of Chablis and some sushi in no time.
The Cape Peninsula is a narrow finger of land with beautiful valleys, bays and beaches surrounded by the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Within the Peninsula are two world renowned landmarks – the majestic Table Mountain and the legendary Cape of Good Hope. The Park is recognised globally for its extraordinarily rich, diverse and unique fauna and flora – with rugged cliffs, steep slopes and sandy flats – it truly is a remarkable natural, scenic, historical, cultural and recreational asset both locally and internationally. Nowhere else in the world does an area of such spectacular beauty and such rich bio-diversity exist almost entirely within a metropolitan area.
The park is primarily open access – conservation fees are payable at only three points: Cape of Good Hope, Boulders and Silvermine, the rest of the park is open access and free for all to enjoy. So if you enjoyed the Two Oceans Aquarium on a rainy day, why not take on the Table Mountain National Park when the sun shines…
If this sounds like your bag, then why not get a Wild Card? Wild Card members do not pay daily conservation fees, instead for the annual cost of a Wild Card they get unlimited access.
Speak to a Rhino Africa consultant about visiting the wonderful city of Cape Town and experiencing the majestic Table Mountain first hand.