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 360o 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
