Safety on Table Mountain

To ensure that you have an enjoyable and trouble free visit to Table Mountain, we ask that you follow these guidelines before you begin your hike.

Punch 021 480 7700 into your mobile. This is the TMNP emergency contact number.

Do not walk alone. Always walk with a friend or in a group. It is easy to get lost on Table Mountain and the rest of the mountain chain. Cape Town Tourism, your hotel or guesthouse can provide you with the details of reputable tourism companies and guides.

Always let somebody know where you are going and how long you expect to be.

If you get lost, stay where you are. Someone will find you.

Clothing - always pack wet weather gear even on a hot day. The weather in Cape Town is unpredictable and can suddenly change. Wear good walking shoes and a hat.

Take water and use sunscreen. Table Mountain is a serious mountain and weather conditions can be harsh and can suddenly change.

Be observant. Always take note of your surroundings and possible weather changes.

Be sure to use reliable maps. Table Mountain National Park has endorsed Peter Slingsby maps and John Yeld's "Mountains in the Sea". These maps and other helpful material can be obtained from Cape Town Tourism Visitor Information Centres.

Do not trust strangers you encounter on the paths. Do not follow people you do not know into deserted areas.

Do not carry unnecessary valuables.

If confronted, do not resist. Give the person your bag / camera / watch.

Avoid remote areas with few people. Stick to well populated pathways.

If you're using the services of a guide, make sure he / she is from a reputable company.

There are 17 Cape Town Tourism offices within Cape Town. The staff can assist you by recommending approved destinations, routes and organisations.

Please do not feed any animals you meet as they could become aggressive. Baboons can be encountered on the mountain.

All cities have their good and bad elements. Take note of where you are in terms of safety.

Please ensure that you allow enough time to complete your walk before sunset.

Useful Telephone Numbers:

Emergencies: 021 480 7700

Table Mountain National Park: 021 957 4700

Wilderness Search and Rescue: 021 - 948 9900

Cape Town Tourism: 021 426 4260

Do You Want to SMS For Free?

Make money by not spending it.

I've recently stumbled upon a super web-based, absolutely FREE SMS service.

What you do is register your mobile phone number on their website, pick an easy to remember password, confirm your subscription and away you go.

The service works on all South African mobile numbers.

There is absolutely no charge to use this service, it's easier to type your sms's on your keyboard than on those tricky small mobile phone keypads, and your message is delivered instantaneously.

For ease of use, I've captured all my contacts into their nifty little Contacts page, so I don't even need my mobile phone with me if I want to send an sms.

Your name and / or mobile number is attached to the SMS's you send.

They're also currently running an iPad competition in conjunction with Facebook, but I think the competitions coming to an end quite soon.

Try it now: FREE SMS

No catch, no commitment.

Cape Town's Most Iconic Landmark

The most common animal found on Table Mountain is the dassie, or Rock Hyrax. You'll see dozens of them sunning themselves on the rocks. They look like fat brown rabbits, minus the floppy ears.

In a twist of nature stranger than fiction, the dassies closest relative is the African Elephant. There's zero family resemblance; they're the size of cats, and they don't charge.

You may also see porcupines (don't pet them), mongooses, girdled lizards, agamas, snakes and butterflies.

What about Lions? You're safe. The last lion in the area was shot in 1802, while leopards were still present as recently as the 1920's.

Two smaller predators, the rooikat (caracal) and the vaalboskat (African Wild Cat), were once common, and on rare occasions, you may spot a rooikat.

Redwinged Starlings usually roost on the cliffs, but flock to the lower slopes and city gardens to feed on berries. The famous Cape Sugarbird is another resident of the mountain. With its long grey tail and beak, you might see it feeding off nectar from proteas, its staple diet. The black Verreaux's Eagle frequents the mountains of Africa and not least of all Table Mountain.

Feeding of the animals is not permitted.

Some astonishingly impressive stuff about Table Mountain:

• Table Mountain Cableway has been running for over 80 years
• Each cable car carries a whopping 65 visitors - more than a busload of people, 800 people per hour
• The maximum speed that the cable cars travel is 10 meters per second
• The length of the cables is 1200m each
• The cables weigh 18 tonnes
• The height of Table Mountain at its highest point, Maclear's Beacon, is 1 085m
• The cable car can carry a weight of 5 200kg's
• The car cars carry 4 000 litres of water used for ballast during the windy season, they also supply fresh water for visitors
• The cables are attached to counter weights each weighing 134 tonnes

The cabin of the cable car is round for two reasons:

1. So the floor can rotate, giving 360 degree panoramic views. Get your cameras ready.

2. For excellent aerodynamics in high winds, that means less wobbling. When the wind blows , there's a water tank below the floor of the cabin that keeps everything even steadier. Where there's no wind, the tanks are emptied to use at the Upper Station.

Dine at the Top of the Mountain:

There is a restaurant at the top of the mountain called The Table Mountain Cafe which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.

There are pizza's, gourmet burgers, and a Mountaineers Selection which includes all sorts of traditional South African cuisine. The gourmet deli has light meals and there's even a choice of fine wines for you to enjoy.

Pastries, speciality teas and coffees are also available.

Souvenirs:

You'll find Cableway clothing and a big selection of gifts and merchandise, from cheap and cheerful to very posh at the Shop at the Top. You can also buy stamps and photographic equipment.

A Guide to the Walks:

Guides point out areas of interest and depart daily at 10h00 and 12h00 from the Upper Cable Station at the sign posted meeting point. These walks are free of charge.

Dassie Walk:

This walk offers you spectacular views north, west and south.

Time: 15 minutes

Type of stroll: Very easy

Agama Walk:

This is a popular route. Stay on the marked paths for your convenience and safety. This route has been specially chosen to give you spectacular 360^o views of Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula.

Time: 30 minutes, from the Upper Cable Station

Type of stroll: Very easy

Klipspringer Walk:

This walk offers wonderful views, running along the plateau edge to above Platteklip Gorge. In summer you can see the Sunshine Cone Bush in full flower.

Time: 45 minute round-trip

Type of stroll: Very easy

There is a lot of Fynbos vegetation on the mountain, with over 1460 different species, including the King Protea, South Africa's national flower. But don't pick any. Table Mountain National Park is part of the single richest floristic area in the world. That's why it's a World Heritage Site, which means we're allowed to brag.

Please note that Table Mountain National Park is a bin-free environment. Please take all your litter with you. Leave only footprints. For your own safety, visitors are to remain on the demarcated pathways.

When you hear the hooter, return immediately to the top station as high winds are approaching and the Upper Cable Station will be closing.

Parents are to supervise their children at all times.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company Limited (TMACC), its directors, employees and agents shall not be liable for any consequences of any injury, damage to or loss of property from any cause whatsoever sustained by any person or legal entity while present on and / or utilising TMACC amenities.

All persons enter upon and / or utilise TMACC amenities at their own risk

Smoking is not permitted on the pathways as it is a fire hazard and a major source of litter. Smoking is permitted in designated areas only.

Please do not damage or chip rocks

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway are proud members of the Heritage Environmental Management Programme and as such are committed to sound environment practices.

For further information and to check if the cable way is operating on the day you intend on visiting, please contact them on telephone number 021 - 424 8181, fax 021 - 424 3792 or visit their website by going to www.tablemountain.net

South African School Terms & Holiday Calendar

South African school have 4 terms each year. Coastal province school terms differ from the inland provinces (see below). Accommodation rates are generally raised during school holidays by establishments and popular holiday spots are booked well in advance (sometimes up to a year depending on location) to avoid disappointment.

We have listed the school terms and school holidays below for both Coastal and Inland provinces to help you determine when popular towns and holiday destinations will have limited availability, and to help you make choices for your holiday dates. You might want to take your holiday among local South African families, or in the quieter times of the year when schools are in progress.

Coastal Provinces (KwaZulu Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Northern Cape):

2010:

School Term 1: 13 Jan - 26 Mar

School Holiday 1: 27 Mar - 11 Apr

School Term 2: 12 Apr - 9 Jun

School Holiday 2: 10 Jun - 12 Jul

School Term 3: 13 Jul - 23 Sep

School Holiday 3: 24 Sep - 3 Oct

School Term 4: 4 Oct - 10 Dec

School Holiday 4: 11 Dec - 18 Jan

2011:

School Term 1: 19 Jan - 1 Apr

School Holiday 1: 2 Apr - 10 Apr

School Term 2: 11 Apr - 24 Jun

School Holiday 2: 25 Jun - 17 Jul

School Term 3: 18 Jul - 30 Sep

School Holiday 3: 1 Oct - 9 Oct

School Term 4: 10 Oct - 9 Dec

School Holiday 4: 10 Dec - 17 Jan

Inland Provinces (Free State, Gauteng, North West, Limpopo, Mpumalanga):

2010:

School Term 1: 13 Jan - 26 Mar

School Holiday 1: 27 Mar - 11 Apr

School Term 2: 12 Apr - 9 Jun

School Holiday 2: 10 Jun - 12 Jul

School Term 3: 13 Jul - 23 Sep

School Holiday 3: 24 Sep - 3 Oct

School Term 4: 4 Oct - 10 Dec

School Holiday 4: 11 Dec - 11 Jan

2011 (Proposed):

School Term 1: 12 Jan - 25 Mar

School Holiday 1: 26 Mar - 10 Apr

School Term 2: 11 Apr - 24 Jun

School Holiday 2: 25 Jun - 17 Jul

School Term 3: 18 Jul - 30 Sep

School Holiday 3: 1 Oct - 9 Oct

School Term 4: 10 Oct - 9 Dec

School Holiday 4: 10 Dec - 10 Jan

The Western Cape

The Western Cape is the most admired tourist province - with good reason. Cape Town, The "Mother City", is one of the world's top destinations to visit. Evocative of other stunning coastal cities such as Monaco and San Francisco, with its spectacular scenic drives, the Western Cape offers an incredible assortment of enticing experiences.

The Cape metropole covers Cape Town, Table Bay, Clifton, Camps Bay, Muizenberg, Fish Hoek and False Bay.

The Cape Winelands, the longest wine route in the world, is famed for its excellent wines and the natural beauty of its lush valleys that are sparkling green in summer and covered in warm, rusty colours in autumn.

The Breede River Valley is a region of rivers, fruit orchards and vineyards.

The West Coast is strewn with charming whitewashed fishing villages.

The Cape Peninsula comprises the spectacular Table Mountain system. Washed by two oceans, residents and visitors alike have a vast choice of beaches and pretty coastal villages, offering excellent seafood restaurants and stunning scenery.

The splendour of the Western Cape is best enjoyed by leisurely drives. The peninsula has several breathtaking views such as Chapman's Peak Drive, Hout Bay, the Constantia winelands, Fish Hoek, Simonstown and Kalk Bay.

Alternatively, drive inland to investigate the longest wine route int he world, sampling excellent vintages along the way. The oldest vineyards date back to the 1660's, but the wineland area is continuously expanding. The entire stretch of wine country picture-perfect, dotted with quaint historic towns, an abundance of excellent country food, and some of the world's finest wines to taste.

Ideal destinations for a day's exploratory drive outside Cape Town include Matjiesfontein, Darling and Riebeeck Kasteel, which have become the hideouts of sophisticated urbanites and artists seeking respite from the rat race.

Further up the coast, the small city of George is the Capital of the Garden Route and a veritable magnet for golfers. Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are the most popular destinations on this scenic coast. Further inland, the Karoo town of Oudtshoorn is famous for its ostriches and the enchanting Cango Caves are waiting to be explored.

The Cape is the perfect venue for a wide range of outdoor activities including canyoning, rock climbing, mountaineering, hiking and water sports that would be difficult to beat anywhere in the world.

Key experiences:

Urban rhythm: Cape Town

Scenic beauty and tranquility: Cape Point, West Coast, winelands, Garden Route

History and culture: Robben Island, the Bo-Kaap

Table Mountain

Cape Floral Kingdom

The Cape Winelands

Robben Island

Cape Point Nature Reserve

Hermanus Whale Watching

Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront: world-class shopping

Two Oceans Aquarium

The Garden Route

What South Africa Has to Offer

Location and Size:

South Africa is located at the southern-most tip of the African continent. It is bordered by two oceans: to the east, the warm, Indian Ocean and to the west, the Atlantic Ocean. South Africa shares its borders with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

South Africa has 3000 kilometres of beautiful coastline and is 1 219 090 km² which is bigger than Germany, France and Italy combined. South Africa offers reliable, warm holiday destinations in a variety of locales all year round.

Provinces, Towns and Cities:

The country is divided into nine provinces, namely Northern Cape, North West, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

The capital of South Africa is Pretoria in the Gauteng province. Parliament is located in Cape Town. The judicial capital is Bloemfontein, in the Free State province.

The major cities are Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, followed by Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and East London.

People and Culture:

South Africa's total population according to the 2002 census is approximately 45 million, of which 53,7% is urbanised.

Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu memorably christened South Africa "The Rainbow Nation of God" due to its diverse and unique population, composed of the following groups:

The San, The Nguni People, European and Asian immigrants, and The British.

There are 11 official languages, namely English, Afrikaans, Ndebele, isiXhosa, isiZulu, North Sotho, South Sotho, seSwati, seTswana, seTsonga, and tshiVenda.

Other languages include Arabic, German, Greek, Gujerati, Hebrew, Hindi, Portugese and the 'clicking' language of the San. English is understood almost everywhere.

South African Public Holidays

, South Africa has 12 public holidays as determined by the Public Holidays Act. The Act determines whenever any public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following it shall be a public holiday.

Here is a list of the remaining holidays for 2010:

24 September - Heritage Day

16 December - Day of Reconciliation

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Day of Goodwill

27 December - Public Holiday

Public Holidays in South Africa for 2011 are:

1 January - New Years Day

21 March - Human Rights Day

22 April - Good Friday (Friday before Eastern Sunday)

25 April - Family Day (Monday after Easter Sunday)

27 April - Freedom Day

1 May - Workers Day

2 May - Public Holiday

16 June - Youth Day

9 August - National Women's Day

24 September - Heritage Day

16 December - Day of Reconciliation

25 December - Christmas Day

26 December - Day of Goodwill

Human Rights Day:

The Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.

The Constitution provides for the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The aim of the Commission is to promote respect for human rights, promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights, and to monitor and assess the observance of human rights in South Africa. The SAHRC was launched on 21 March 1996, 35 years after the fateful events of 21 March 1960 when demonstrators in Sharpeville were gunned down by police.

Freedom Day:

Freedom Day commemorates the first democratic elections held in South Africa on 27 April 1994.

Youth Day:

Previously known as Soweto Day. In 1975 protests started in African schools after a directive from the then Bantu Education Department that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in Secondary schools. The issue, however, was not so much the Afrikaans as the whole system of Bantu education which was characterised by separate schools and universities, poor facilities, overcrowded classrooms and inadequately trained teachers. On 16 June 1976 more than 20 000 pupils from Soweto began a protest march. In the wake of the clashes with the police, and the violence that ensued during the next few weeks, approximately 700 people, many of them youths, were killed and property destroyed. Youth Day commemorates these events.

National Women's Day:

This day commemorates 9 August 1956 when women participated in a national march to petition against pass laws (legislation that required African persons to carry a document on them to 'prove' that they were allowed to enter a 'white area').

Heritage Day:

"The day is one of our newly created public holidays and its significance rests in recognising aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and difficult to pin down: creative expression, our historical inheritance, language, the food we eat as well as the land in which we live.

"Within a broader social and political context, the day's events... are a powerful agent for promulgating a South African identity, fostering reconciliation and promoting the notion that variety is a national asset as opposed to igniting conflict.

"Heritage has defined as "that which we inherit: the sum total of wild life and scenic parks, sites of scientific or historical importance, national monuments, historic buildings, works of art, literature and music, oral traditions and museum collections together with their documentation." - Statement issued by the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, 17 September 1996.

In an address marking Heritage Day in 1996, (former) President Nelson Mandela stated:

"When our first democratically-elected government decided to make Heritage Day one of our national days, we did so because we knew that our rich and varied cultural heritage has a profound power to help build our new nation.

"We did so knowing that the struggles against the injustice and inequities of the past are part of our national identity; they are part of our culture. We knew that, if indeed our nation has to rise like the proverbial phoenix from the ashes of division and conflict, we had to acknowledge those whose selfless efforts and talents were dedicated to this golf of non-racial democracy."

Government determines a theme for each year's celebrations.

Day of Reconciliation:

In apartheid South Africa 16 December was known as Day of the Vow, as the Voortrekkers in preparation for the battle on 16 December against the Zulus took a Vow before God that they would build a church and that they and their descendants would observe the day as a day of thanksgiving should they be granted victory. With the advent of democracy in South Africa, 16 December retained its status as a public holiday, however, this time with the purpose of fostering reconciliation and national unity.

What To Do In Noordhoek

Since our office is based in Noordhoek, I thought I'd give you a quick run-down on the Noordhoek Farm Village and the services they offer.

This very popular venue offers a variety of clothing, wine, arts and crafts, gifts and curio shops, restaurants, bars and entertainment.

Clothing shops include The Pompous Fly, Namaste Trading, Zimbabalooba and the African Experience. The clothing shops offer a wide variety of unique and interesting items catering for babies to adults.

Cafe Roux is about friends, family, good times, good wine and fantastic food. Offering first-class service that is relaxed and personal in an inviting and comfortably stylish environment.

The Food Barn has created a place for families and friends to enjoy great food in a relaxed and beautiful setting where children, pets and sandy bare feet are welcome. Smell the best coffee and the freshest bread in the Noordhoek Valley. Be inspired by the sensual cooking skills of Franck Dangereux. Browse a classic from Keith's second hand books and watch the kids make new friends in the play area.

The Toad in the Village is a country pub and restaurant. It is a place you need to experience. In winter both the ground and upper floors boast large roaring open wood fires and in summer the outside beer garden and upper deck in-between the trees give it an 'every season' feel. The Toad is well known for its live entertainment and sport viewing. Quality dishes such as their smoked eisbein, rack of ribs, gourmet pizzas, smoked chicken salads and French onion soup compliment a wide array of draft beer and other thirst quenching beverages.

The Farm Village address is Village Lane, Noordhoek. If you're driving over Chapman's Peak to get here, call Chapman's Peaks office to check that they're open first as they regularly close this beautiful coastal road for clearing and removal of rocks (021 - 791 8222).

Their information office can be contacted on 021 - 789 2812 or visit their website www.noordhoekvillage.co.za

Accommodation Options Throughout South Africa

Much to our delight, our website went live in November 2009. After 10 quick months, we now have over 400 property listings ranging from exclusive, upmarket self-catering Villa's, holiday homes and apartments, B&B's, Hotels and incredible Big Five Safari Lodges.

We can provide you with accommodation options in the Western Cape including the "hotspots" of Camps Bay, Llandudno, Bakoven, Clifton, Sea Point and Green Point, the world-famous Garden Route (Mossel Bay, Sedgefield, George, Knysna, Plettenberg Bay), incredible safari lodges options in the malaria-free Eastern Cape (eg. Shamwari Game Reserve, Kichaka Private Game Lodge, Pumba Private Game Reserve etc), Gauteng / Johannesburg, KwaZulu-Natal - incredible accommodation and safari lodges, Lodges at Victoria Falls, as well as Sun International properties including Sun City, The Palace of the Lost City.

Although we are based in the tranquil and peaceful suburb Noordhoek, Cape Town, we provide specialized itineraries throughout South Africa.

We'll be updating our blog on a regular basis from now on to bring you key highlights of our amazing country to your desktop.

Of course, if you'd like some immediate assistance, email us your questions to info@theholidayzebra.co.za or visit our website at http://www.theholidayzebra.co.za