Table Mountain national Park
Table Mountain National Park was previously known as the Cape Peninsula National Park. The park covers 22,000ha
There are about 2,200 species of plants found on Table Mountain and 1470 floral species. Many of these plants and flowers are endemic to this mountain. The magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are found on the eastern foot of the mountain. Founded in 1913, the garden that spans an area of 1300 acres includes a unique conservatory with plants from different parts of the world. The Cape Floral Kingdom forms part of the TMNP, making it the smallest yet richest of the six floral kingdoms in the world.
Besides the parks, the whole area has a biodiversity that is rare to find in other places on Earth. Its many valleys and streams make it an idyllic getaway from Cape Town. The national park’s most unique feature is its fynbos vegetation which is displayed here better than anywhere in the world.
The Cape Floral region of the national park is one of the richest floral regions in the world. Over 70% of the flowers are endemic to Table Mountain. The mountain was chosen as one of the new seven world wonders.
Some of the geology consists of Stromatolite, which is “layered rock” in Greek. They are microbial reefs created by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) and are the earliest fossil evidence of life on Earth. There are two known stromatolite formations inside the National Park.
There are at least four large shell middens (mounds left by ancient inhabitants) along the shoreline. Shell middens are archaeological features consisting of mollusk and West Coast rock lobster shells, abalone pendants, and ostrich beads. These middens are well studied and some are older than 1400 years, showing humans’ evolutionary history.
reservations@tablemountain-nationalpark.co.za
Important numbers to have when visiting Table Mountain National Park venues
- Emergencies:021 480 7700
- Medical emergencies from a cellphone:112
- Table Mountain National Park: 021 957 4700/ 0861 106 417
- Wilderness Search and Rescue: 021 948 9900
