Table Mountain National Park in South Africa
The Beauty of the Cape Coastline and its Animal and Plant Life
May 30, 2009
South Africa has plenty of beautiful national parks. Table Mountain National Park (formerly known as the Cape Peninsula National Park) is one of them and stretches along a distance of approximately 60 kilometers, encompassing magnificent valleys, bays, the spectacular Table Mountain and the legendary Cape of Good Hope.
Much of what Sir Francis Drake described in his log as “The fairest Cape we saw in the whole circumference of the earth” over 400 years ago, is now a protected area surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west and the warmer waters of False Bay coast in the east.
The Table Mountain National Park has two world-renowned landmarks within its boundaries – the iconic Table Mountain which provides the city of Cape Town with a dramatic setting and the Cape Peninsula with its rich and varied flora and fauna, pristine coastline and towering cliffs. It is an ancient land, with history of human inhabitants dating back for centuries to the time when San hunter-gatherers and the Khoi people lived here.
Table Mountain Cable Car
An aerial cable way provides access to the top of Table Mountain, which has been in operation since 1929. In all those years there has been a 100% safety record. Extensive refurbishment was undertaken in 1997 with the installation of the current revolving cable car.
There are several hiking trails to the top of the mountain, many people opt to climb up and descend in the Table Mountain cable car. The view from the top of the mountain is spectacular and the coastline can be seen for miles on a clear day.
Cape Animal and Plant Life
Animal and Plant Life in this area of the Table Mountain National Park is abundant and there are a variety of game species to see in this area, such as Eland, Red Hartebeest, Bontebok and Zebra, Chacma Baboons and many different bird species. Southern Right whales can be spotted in the ocean between June and November. Indigenous plant species include Proteas and Fynbos unique to this area of the Cape.
Beaches, Picnic Areas and Activities in the National Park
A vacation in South Africa in the Cape has much to offer. This area is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, very popular with local South Africans and offers hiking, surfing, angling, picnicking, beaching and cycling opportunities against the spectacular backdrop of the mountains and coastline of the most south western point in Africa.
- Close to the seaside village of Simon's Town near Cape Town is the Boulder's Beach famous for its large colony of Penguins. This beach is ideal for kids as immense boulders shelter the cove from currents and large waves.
- Camps Bay is a favorite with the local South African Cape population with its wide, sandy beach, tidal pool and view of Lion's head and the twelve Apostles mountains.
- Chapman's Peak drive is a scenic drive cut into the cliffs around the 592 meter Chapman's Peak cliffs. The drive offers spectacular views of the beaches of Chapman's Bay, Hout Bay and various other beaches and harbors. There are plenty of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation in this part of South Africa.
- Cape Point is a famous landmark in South Africa, which offers visitors a excellent viewing opportunities from the two lighthouses that adorn the point – one still functional. The lighthouse is accessible by foot or there is funicular available to take visitors to the top.
There are plenty of activities in the Cape Area of South Africa to suit all tastes. For example, the Victoria and Albert Waterfront provides an upmarket shopping experience, a visit to the Two Ocean's Aquarium is a delightful outing for children and adults alike and there are plenty of wine farms in the region which offer tours and tastings almost all year round.
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