Table Mountain National Park

Overview

Table Mountain National Park is a vast, protected wilderness stretching from Signal Hill to Cape Point, encompassing the entire spine of the Cape Peninsula. It protects the Cape Floristic Region, the smallest of the world's six plant kingdoms and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights

• Biodiversity: Over 2,200 plant species, many found nowhere else on Earth — more species than in the entire United Kingdom.
• Hiking Trails: From easy coastal walks to challenging mountain scrambles.
• Wildlife: Baboons, dassies (rock hyrax), Cape mountain zebra, and over 250 bird species.

History

Table Mountain National Park was proclaimed in 1998, consolidating several reserves into a single protected area. The Cape Floristic Region was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004 in recognition of its extraordinary plant diversity.

Visitor Tips

• Wild Card: Purchase a SANParks Wild Card for unlimited annual access.
• Baboons: Never feed baboons — they can be aggressive when food-conditioned.
• Duration: Half to full day depending on activity.