Nature Spot

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a famous Cape Town landmark which spans approximately 3km with a height of slightly more than 1km above sea level at its apex. The slopes offer a range of indigenous flora and are the natural habitat for rock hyrax and various birdlife species. There are a number of hiking trails and both rock climbing and abseiling are popular pastimes. The less energetic who wish to enjoy the views or dine at the restaurant atop Table Mountain are able to gain access by way of the aerial [more]Table Mountain is a famous Cape Town landmark which spans approximately 3km with a height of slightly more than 1km above sea level at its apex. The slopes offer a range of indigenous flora and are the natural habitat for rock hyrax and various birdlife species. There are a number of hiking trails and both rock climbing and abseiling are popular pastimes. The less energetic who wish to enjoy the views or dine at the restaurant atop Table Mountain are able to gain access by way of the aerial cableway, which has been in existence since 1929 and was upgraded in 1997. Opening hours are between 08h00 and 22h00 in summer, dependant on weather conditions. Further details are available at the website.

Lookout

Cape Point

Cape Point is situated within the Table Mountain National Park , which has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its unique flora. It is not the most southerly tip of Africa, but the most southwesterly and a haven for seabirds. There is an old lighthouse which connects to the car park by way of a funicular railway. At 249m it is also one of the highest sea cliffs globally and offers a number of hiking trails. Facilities include a restaurant and souvenir shops, as well as the Buffelsfontei [more]Cape Point is situated within the Table Mountain National Park , which has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its unique flora. It is not the most southerly tip of Africa, but the most southwesterly and a haven for seabirds. There is an old lighthouse which connects to the car park by way of a funicular railway. At 249m it is also one of the highest sea cliffs globally and offers a number of hiking trails. Facilities include a restaurant and souvenir shops, as well as the Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre.

Lookout

Cableway

One of only 3 such Swiss cable systems worldwide, the current cable way was installed in 1997 and has a rotating floor which offers visitors a 360 degree view as they travel between the lower cable way station and the top of Table Mountain. Each of the two cable cars transport 65 passengers at a time and takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete its journey. Facilities at the top of Table Mountain include a 120-seater restaurant and there are a number of hiking trails which enable visitors [more]One of only 3 such Swiss cable systems worldwide, the current cable way was installed in 1997 and has a rotating floor which offers visitors a 360 degree view as they travel between the lower cable way station and the top of Table Mountain. Each of the two cable cars transport 65 passengers at a time and takes between 5 and 10 minutes to complete its journey. Facilities at the top of Table Mountain include a 120-seater restaurant and there are a number of hiking trails which enable visitors to enjoy the indigenous fauna and flora. Hours of operation are between 08h30 and 18h00 during May to mid-September. Hours are extended for the rest of the year and details are obtainable at the website.

Beach

Boulders Beach

Boulders Beach ist ein schöner Strand. Aber davon gibt es - nicht nur - in Südafrika noch viel mehr. Aber eine Pinguin-Kolonie dagegen können nicht viele Strände bieten. 1983 fing alles an, das erste Pinguin Pärchen wurde gesichtet. Seitdem haben sich tausende von Tieren dazu"gesellt", nahezu der komplette Strand ist mittlerweile von afrikanischen (auch "Jackass" genannten) Pinguinen bevölkert. Man hat als Besucher die Möglichkeit ihnen über einen Holzsteg am Strand sehr nahe zu kommen und s [more]Boulders Beach ist ein schöner Strand. Aber davon gibt es - nicht nur - in Südafrika noch viel mehr. Aber eine Pinguin-Kolonie dagegen können nicht viele Strände bieten. 1983 fing alles an, das erste Pinguin Pärchen wurde gesichtet. Seitdem haben sich tausende von Tieren dazu"gesellt", nahezu der komplette Strand ist mittlerweile von afrikanischen (auch "Jackass" genannten) Pinguinen bevölkert. Man hat als Besucher die Möglichkeit ihnen über einen Holzsteg am Strand sehr nahe zu kommen und sie zu beobachten. Da sie mittlerweile auch die oberen Strandabschnitte erobert haben, sollte man vor der Weiterfahrt auf jeden Fall einmal unter sein Auto schauen, ob dort nicht etwa ein Tier einen Schattenplatz gefunden hat.

Hiking / Mountain Climbing

Orangekloof Trail

The 2-day, 26.6km Orangekloof Trail is the first phase of the 6-day Hoerikwaggo Tented Classic Trail, which includes the Silvermine Trail. This guided and portered trail is self-catering and accommodation is provided in tents made from recycled non-indigenous trees. Participants need to be 13 years or older and groups of up to 12 persons can be accommodated at a time. The tariff includes entrance fees to the Orange Kloof and Disa Gorge areas as well as the descent in the cableway.

Nature Spot

Silvermine Nature Reserve

Silvermine Nature Reserve is located within the Table Mountain National Park near Tokai and includes a reservoir and boardwalks which are fully wheelchair accessible. There are picnic spots and barbecue facilities as well as the opportunity to hike and enjoy the waterfalls, indigenous flora and bird life. Mountain biking and swimming in the reservoir are also permitted. Hours of operation are as follows: Winter : 08h00 till 17h00 Summer: 07h00 till 19h00

Lookout

Signal Hill

This landmark hill stands 300m high and forms the rump of the sphinx-like lion which faces Table Mountain on the right when viewed from Cape Town. It is provides views of the Peninsula and is also popular with hikers and paragliders. Easily accessible via Kloofnek Drive which runs from the CBD, Signal Hill provides hiking options to the top of Lion's Head, the latter part of the trail having chains to assist hikers. Signal Hill has also been home to the Noon Gun since 1902, these two cannons [more]This landmark hill stands 300m high and forms the rump of the sphinx-like lion which faces Table Mountain on the right when viewed from Cape Town. It is provides views of the Peninsula and is also popular with hikers and paragliders. Easily accessible via Kloofnek Drive which runs from the CBD, Signal Hill provides hiking options to the top of Lion's Head, the latter part of the trail having chains to assist hikers. Signal Hill has also been home to the Noon Gun since 1902, these two cannons having previously been housed at the Castle of Good Hope and dating from approximately 1790. The Gun is fired daily at 12h00 by means of an electronic signal from the Astronomical Observatory (after the gunpowder had been loaded by a Naval Officer) and is a tradition which is more than 200 years old.