Table Mountain National Park — Attraction in Western Cape

I visited the Cape of Goodhope Nature Reserve within the Table Mountain National Park on the weekend of 12th and 13th December 2020, entry allowed from 7am to 6pm, entry at the gate was quick and easy, covid protocol strictly enforced, just before the pay booth a team of park employees checked our temperatures and filled our details, name & telephone, we then proceeded to the pay booth settled our bill and through the booms into the reserve. The staff were courteous helpful, efficient and friendly.

The reason for our visit was 2 fold, to harvest west coast rock lobster (crayfish) as it was one of the legal season collection days and we wanted to spend the rest of the day enjoying a braai at the Buffelsbaai section. Our crayfish catch was successful ( we dived) and managed to fill our permit quota's both days at the Cape of Goodhope sector.

Upon entering the reserve there are a few places one can visit, namely, Olifantsbosch, Platboom, Gifkommetjie, Bordtjiesdrift, Black Rock, Buffelsbaai, and Cape of Good Hope, the latter is where we dived our crayfish.

All the places we visited here were prestinely maintained and were all practically on the beach, both the Atlantic and Indian ocean sides, one can visit the further most point and either hike or take a bus to the top where you can see the lighthouse, here you will also find a curio shop, restaurant and rest area.

There were Antelope grazing and Ostriches prancing about in many of the sectors, Fynbos is prolific in the park, the braai areas had dirt bins strategically placed, we fortunately did not encounter any unruly baboons but we were informed the park staff were prepared for any incidents.

What a beautiful part of South Africa we have the privilege of living in, such natural beauty on our doorstep, I have a tip for all Cape Town local residence, get yourself a Green Card, it costs R175.00 and allows for 12 entries in a year (each entry is clipped, you may enter 3 adults and 3 children on one day). A normal day pass will cost R85.00 per person, so you can see the value in the Green Card. It is only available to Cape Town residence.

So if you are looking for things to do in Cape Town visit the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve,...

This is a genuinely lovely experience! Look, I’ll be frank, I used to live at the foot of the mountain so perhaps I’m biased.

Going up Table Mountain on a gorgeous summer day is a real treat and wonder. There is so much scenery to take in, views from the top are breathtaking. The flora and fauna hold little surprises that are just unusual and pretty at the same time.

The kids absolutely love it. From the cable car ride going to the top, and back down again, to the walks and views...incredible. Our children aged 8 and 12 came up with us and we walked around the top for an hour or two. There are paths to follow, maps on boards, also illustrating the creatures you can find up the mountain. Lizards sunning themselves, birds singing and jumping off the sheer ledges all made for very fun entertainment.

We all took a lot of photos! Followed quickly by lunch... For a place that has one restaurant, and thus a monopoly on choice for food, it has a lot of choice. Plus the food is good, homemade good. The staff are helpful and will tell you what’s in the meal, if it’s Halal and they have seating that is comfortable. On colder days the warm coffee, tea and hot chocolate are just what you need.

Overall I can’t fault the visit. If I had to be super picky, the curio shops could be a little more reasonably priced, but isn’t that every curio shop’s reason for being?!

Going up can be pricey but as a one-off it’s worth it in my opinion. Booking online you can save you time and money using the right tickets. Parking is free along the mountainside road and at the bottom Cableway station. Queues can get very long too at peak times. It is possible to stay up the mountain for 3-4 hours easily if you’re relaxed about taking in the views. I’d always recommend taking a long sleeve top / jacket / jumper if the ground temperature is on or below 23C. The temp at the top can differ by a good 7C-12C so be prepared. There is also little shade, so take a hat, especially for the younger ones. If it’s cold with clear sunny skies you will still burn!!! Take a cap.

The weather can also come in pretty fast at the top, so check the cableway website before setting off and dress...

Table Mountain. After a pleasant walk along the Government Avenue, we were dropped at the Cable car trolley station at the base of Table Mountain. All the through on the way, table top was visible and appeared covered with thick clouds. We were hoping that by the time we reached the top the clouds may clear up.. Alas it was not to be. A the top we got out of the cable car station in thick clouds. Visibility was hardly 20 odd feet. Could not even see the tracks. Still, all of us blundered around. Gradually the visibility improved and we could objects beyond 50 to 100 ft. What we saw was beautiful. Saw A rock Hyrax or Dassie and also some of the plants for the first time. Even though louds were spoilsport we neverthy less enjoyed walking around in the mist on Table Mountain. The name South Africa immediately evokes two main images, one, of Lions, Elephants, Zebras, Giraffes and the wild life of SA. Second image, is that of Table Mountain. It is an iconic symbol. Table mountain is a flat top mountain overlooking Cape Town. It form main part of Table mountain National Park. Table Mountain is home to variety of flora and fauna not found any whereelse in the world other than Table Mountain National Park. It is a major tourist attraction. Visit to SA in incomplete if one has not been up the Table mountain, One can either go up by a cable car or can hike up the mountain. There are many hiking trails in the national park and and very popular with trekking enthusiasts of the world. there are Shops selling nick knacks related to Table Mountain National Park and...