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Table Mountain National Park

Essential Information

What to bring

Although the Table Mountain National Park is primarily a day-visit park there are several items that no-one should be without whether for a casual stroll or a more serious hike:

It is highly recommended that you purchase Mountains in the Sea – an Interpretive Guide to Table Mountain National Park by award winning environmental journalist John Yeld. The book comprehensively covers all aspects of the Park from biodiversity issues to popular hikes and history and will enrich any visitor’s enjoyment and appreciation of the Park.

It is available from TMNP outlets at Westlake, Tel. 021 701 8692, Boulders Penguin Colony, Tel. 021 786 2329 and Buffelsfontein Visitor Centre, Tel. 021 780 9204.

Also essential are:

  • A good map – Peter Slingsby’s maps are endorsed by the Park. Visit The Maps for more information.
  • Sun hat and sun block
  • Sufficient water
  • Energy snacks
  • Sturdy hiking boots
  • Wet weather gear/ wind breakers
  • Punch emergency number into your mobile: 021 957 4700 or 021 480 7700

Park Regulations

  • To ensure a safe and joyful trip through our parks, kindly adhere to the Rules and Regulations as stipulated by South African National Parks.


Visitor Safety

Table Mountain National Park is a Park within a City and its urban context presents Park staff with some unique management challenges. Two of these are these are mountain safety and security issues.

Many people think that because Table Mountain is in the middle of a City that it is simply an easy walk to the top – a serious misconception. The reality is that it is a serious mountain standing 1000 meters above sea level and offers challenging, sometimes dangerous, hikes and is characterised by inconsistent weather. These factors result in people getting lost and injured.

Also as the TMNP is primarily an open access Park from time to time there is criminal activity in some of the urban edge areas of the Park.

In answer to both these challenges the TMNP recruited and deployed Visitor Safety Officers (VSO’s) to patrol popular use zones in the Park. The VSO’s give advice to hikers as well as act as a deterrent to criminals.

For some hints and tips for a hassle free visit to the TMNP please download the Visitor Safety Brochure.

Gate Times

Climate

Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) has what is known as a Mediterranean climate in that it typically has hot, dry summers and a short, wet winter which while cool are relatively mild with an all time low of only -1 degrees C. However in recent years climate change has resulted in dryer shorter winters.

Strong winds feature prominently with a strong south Easter dominating summer months – this wind has earned itself the nickname of the Cape Doctor as it blows pollutions from the city. In winter the winds generally switch to north east bringing a series of cold fronts over the peninsula. But don’t be fooled the winter months bring some spectacularly clear, warm days that are in fact the best days for hiking.

However, the mountainous topography of the Park creates micro-climates which means that different weather can be experienced by area within quite short distances. For example it can be a beautiful day in Cape Town but a short hike into the mountain chain can find misty, rainy weather.

For this reason it is rvisable to ensure that you are equipped for all eventualities when using the Park.

Fuel Stations: Petrol/ Diesel

Vehicle fuel is available in the surrounding areas.

People with Disabilities

Information about the facilities offered by Table Mountain National Park in the interests of universal access can be found here.

Tourism Partners

When in doubt about where to go and what to do please be sure to contact our official tourism organisations:

Cape Town Tourism:

If you want to travel further a-field in the Western Cape contact:


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