Table Mountain, Cape Town - Travel Report

Old Dec 26th, 2017, 06:30 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Table Mountain, Cape Town - Travel Report

Cape Town: a picturesque South Africa coastal city with a lot of charm and character. Table Mountain, 2010 FIFA World Cup, southernmost Cape of Good Hope, African Indigenous culture, and jackass penguin are the keywords that pop up in my mind when I was planning my visit. Of course, Table Mountain is the first on my list and I am sure everyone would tell you it’s a place not to be missed.

Once we landed at Cape Town International Airport, we took our rental car and in merely 20 minutes we were in the city center, checking in to the Airbnb apartment we booked. The apartment is a charming building on Strand Street surrounded by cafés (I will talk about that later) and local shops, and the highlight was a balcony with two chairs facing the Table Mountain!

It was May and Cape Town was a bit chilly when the sun was not coming out. When I was on the balcony I was thinking: “Oh, shoot!” The Table Mountain was covered with thick clouds since we arrived and I had pre-purchased the Aerial cableway tickets in the afternoon online. It was my strategy: pre-purchase the ticket and go to the Table Mountain first day I arrive. Not only because the Table Mountain is the number one attraction in town, but also in case if any “accident” happens (like weather), we would still have time for a plan B.

You are welcome to check out my blog for photos, videos, and more details: https://knycxjourneying.com/2017/12/...able-mountain/

In summary, I have a few tips about visiting the Table Mountain:

*Best time of the year*
Well, it’s difficult to predict weather and I am sure there’s always be a chance of a gorgeous day any time of the year. I visited in May and it was a bit chilly up there, but it wouldn’t be a problem if you are dressed warmly. I was told that December is the busiest month of the year. In general, the best time of the year would be from March to May, and from September to November (a.k.a. Autumn and Spring). These shoulder seasons boast enviable weather, fewer crowds, and lower prices.

*Best time of the day*
The “Table Cloth Effect” is caused by the winds from the Southeast in summer. The moisture condensed on a cold layer at the height of 1000m, forming thick clouds that cover the peak of the mountain. Actually, Table Cloth Effect could happen any time of the day, usually in summer, depends on windiness.To beat the crowds, I recommend getting there in the early morning (there are tours valid as early as 7:30 am) or late afternoon – particularly late afternoon, because the sunset was absolutely magnificent.

*Avoid Fridays*
The Table Mountain Cableway offers South African pensioners and students a concession every Friday – therefore it’s not the best time for tourists as the station could be quite crowded.

*Pre-purchase online*
Unless you are planning to go up the mountain on foot, pre-purchase the tickets online and it would save precious time standing in the line for tickets at the ticket office. If you are lucky, you might find special offers or discounted deals on the site from time to time.

*Use free shuttle service, if parking is a bitxh*
Finding a parking spot near the station at busy hours could be a nightmare. We were lucky enough to find a parking spot as soon as we arrive the station. But in case if you have no luck, instead of driving up and down waiting for a spot, consider parking at the Lower Tafelberg Road parking and then take a free MyCiti shuttle to the station.

The top of the Mountain is well paved with walkways that cover different sides of the mountain. The Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, Robben Island, City Bowl, Table Bay, and Devil’s Peak could be viewed on the north side; and the “Back Table” (a rugged plateau that is an extension on the south side of the Table Mountain), and the Twelve Apostles, could be viewed on the south side. In between, is home to a large array of fauna and flora. The Table Mountain is part of the Cape Floral Kingdom and home to an astonishing 1,470 plant species in an area of 57 square kilometers: Blue Disa, Cluster Disa, Erica, Watsonia, Yellow Margaret, Cape Reeds and more. More, it is also home to a variety of fascinating animals which depends on each other: like southern rock agama, black girdled lizard, klipspringer, Verreaux’s eagle, rock kestrel, and of course, the rock dassie – an absolutely adorable creature freely roaming in the Table Mountain walking trails.

Giant Yellow Frames
To honor this New 7 Wonder of Nature, the city of Cape Town placed giant yellow frames at 7 different locations in the city to “capture” the beauty of the mountain from different angles – it is part of Cape Town’s World Design Capital 2014 project and it hopes to help visitors capturing this enormous monument from different part of the city. These yellow frames could be found in V&A Waterfront, Signal Hill, Cape Town Station, District Six, Silo District, Blouberg (Eden of the Bay), and Khayelitsha Lookout Hill. Try to look for these frames as you are exploring different parts of the city!
The first day in Cape Town was fulfilling and filled with wonders. Up next, we explored a lot more in the city of Cape Town, and experienced the untamed beauty of the Cape of Good Hope, Boulders, Silvermine, and more! Stay-tuned ~

You are welcome to check out my blog for photos, videos, and more details: -
https://knycxjourneying.com/2017/12/...able-mountain/
knycx_journeying is offline  
Old Dec 26th, 2017, 07:37 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 27,868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If you get a nice day, go for it. We waited and never got up there, and we were in CT for 9 days!
DebitNM is offline  
Old Dec 26th, 2017, 06:23 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 5,286
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The Cape of Good Hope is 150km northwest of the southernmost Cape Agulhas.

Cape Town is a beautiful city with so much to see and do in a beautiful country with so much to see and do.
christabir is offline  
Old Jan 3rd, 2018, 11:43 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks @DebitNM, it worths going up there!
knycx_journeying is offline  
Old Jan 3rd, 2018, 11:45 PM
  #5  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
@christabir, thanks ~! That's right, so many sights and places to explore.
knycx_journeying is offline  
Old Mar 4th, 2018, 06:02 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 188
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Glad to know that the Cape Town water crisis is temporarily alleviated ~ and it won't affect much of the local's lives, as well as the visitors
knycx_journeying is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
SanDiegoSue
United States
5
Nov 26th, 2015 08:05 AM
capetownfolk
Africa & the Middle East
8
Apr 15th, 2013 06:42 AM
MonaManuel
United States
4
May 24th, 2009 09:32 AM
germanamerican
United States
13
Aug 20th, 2005 06:45 PM
Karen
United States
8
Jun 15th, 2002 04:28 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -