Climbing Mount

When you arrive at Cape Town International Airport and set off along the N2 towards Cape Town you can normally see a large cloud bank directly ahead of you. Once you get closer, Cape Town’s most famous land mark looms ahead of you larger than life. The question most visitors to Cape Town ask is, “is it that flat at the top?” The answer is yes, and it is all open to hikers and visitors from the Cable Car. How you get to the top is up to you, and there are many different scenic walks up.
The most popular walk, which takes you right to the top of Table Mountain, goes up Skeleton Gorge and comes down Nursery Ravine. This walk takes you across the table top, and to Maclear’s Beacon, the highest point on the mountain. Unfortunately, this walk is not for beginners. With nearly 10,000 rock and wooden steps to climb, and a whole lot more walking besides, this trip should take you the better part of five hours and be rather hard on the knees. Remember to take a lot of water and relax to rub your calf muscles often on the way down. Lactic acid build up can cause your legs to give way, and the steps are often very steep!
For a gentler walk up to the top of Table Mountain, you might want to take the Cecilia Circuit. This begins in the stunning indigenous Cecilia forest and will also take all afternoon, but is far easier. It is also easy to customize any of these walks to take you to the Cable Car station, if you don’t feel like walking down. There are also a number of walks that do not go to the top, such as anywhere on the Silvermine Nature Reserve and the Twelve Apostles.
If all of that sounds a bit too much like hard work, there is always the magnificent cable car. First ask yourself if you could handle being in a London Eye capsule, except eight times higher and suspended by a cable. If the answer is yes, a shuttle or taxi from the V & A Waterfront can take you there, or you can take Kloof Nek Road and follow the signs. The ride up is stunning, with a panoramic Cape Town and Table Mountain view. Remember to bring a jacket, because even if you can fry an egg on Long Street, it will still be chilly up there. The Cable Way costs $9 for an adult return, $5 for a child return and $21 for a family return (Prices in 2007).
A word of caution: the only wildlife you are likely to encounter at the top of Table Mountain are ‘dassies’ – a local rock rabbit. These creatures do not understand why these people are on their mountain, and if you try to pet or feed them they will bite. They have been known to keep fingers as trophies, so children should not leave the restaurant, gift shop and sight-seeing area alone.

There are those to whom The Mountain beckons and the only response is to answer its call; to knot the shoelaces, prepare a daypack and apply the sunscreen.
And then there are those that are seeking adventure, searching out excitement and replying to the challenge to scale the heights and breathe in the celebration of life!
Majestic and imposing, Table Mountain stands guard over the peoples of the Cape, a landmark of grandiose beauty. Sometimes draped with a foamy white tablecloth, Table Mountain can suddenly be enveloped in moist, dense clouds as is typical of the summer south-easter that can blow with great might.
There are many activities for adventurers keen to unearth Table Mountain’s mysteries and discover her treasures.
A cable car to the table-top will provide inspiring views of the bay below and tremendous sights of the surrounding area. Meals can be enjoyed at the restaurant at the summit whilst marvelling over a spectacular view.
You may find yourself sharing a rock with a dassie as you contemplate the Western Cape culture or plan the rest of your afternoon. Dassies, or rock hyraxes, are round, plump little animals living in colonies on the mountain and can often be seen sunbathing in the early morning sunlight.
The Table Mountain Cableway is completely wheelchair-friendly and a good number of the paths at the summit can be negotiated with ease.
Abseiling over the edge of the ‘Table’ can provide a bit of nail-biting sport as you explore the cliffs of Table Mountain. The mountain itself is over 1 000m in height and you partake of a relatively long abseil of 110m. This adventure activity can be located next to the upper Cable Station where you can hang out over the city somewhere very far below you!
And for the avid trailist, there is a network of over 500 walks in and around the Table Mountain area. The trails ramble up and over the 1 000m plateau which is part of the northern section of the Cape Peninsula known as the Table and other routes are up Lion’s Head, Signal Hill as well as Devil’s Peak – all intriguing names with a rich history.
If you are into excellent scenery with minimal exertion, a climb up Lion’s Head may be right up your alley, however the views of the city below and magnificence of the ocean are a wonderful sight from any of the impressive peaks and ridges in the area.
Lekker Local Tips:
* There is a multitude of pamphlets, printed guides and maps readily available on trails up and around Table Mountain as well as activities to keep you entertained. This literature can be found at any tourist office or bookstore and makes it simpler and easier to explore the area.
* It is advised that you make use of a guide when hiking the network of trails on Table Mountain as they are generally up to date with the best routes to take for that season, they can entertain you with details of the local culture as well as amaze you with their knowledge on the flora and fauna of the area.
Table Mountain has been known to claim a goodly number of lives in its past and taking a guide along can better provide for your safe return.
* The weather on Table Mountain is notoriously unpredictable. Take a warm jersey or windproof jacket for a more comfortable trip if the weather turns!

1. MOUNT KILIMINJARO – TANZANIA
The highest mountain on the African continent, ‘Kili’ measures an astounding 19,340 feet at her highest point. The challenge to climb this majestic mountain has lured many to scale her heights, a demanding but worthwhile ascent by most accounts. Kili, which has five distinct ecological zones, is an extinct volcano.
2. OKAVANGO DELTA – BOTSWANA
The champagne-coloured waterways of this famous floodplain form the basis of a pristine Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR). With some of the most fantastic birding globally and a wild dog population, the largest inland delta in the world is often called Africa’s most beautiful destination. The region can be explored by land, boat and air. Enjoy the spectacular diversity of flora and fauna species.
3. THE EGYPTIAN PYRAMIDS
Easily the most recognizable of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Egyptian Pyramids have long held fascination for thousands of people. Recent resurgence of interest Egyptology has made trips to this alluring destination more popular than ever. The majority of visitors view the pyramids at Giza. The origins of these majestic structures continue to be a source of lively debate, while the stories of ancient curses and grave robbers delight us all.
4. PONTA DO OURO – MOZAMBIQUE
With around 100 Bottlenose and Spinner dolphins making the sheltered waters of Ponta du Ouro their home, this region is definitely worth visiting. Dive the reefs to 40 metres in depth; they are teeming with a rainbow of marine life. Dolphin dives are a popular while in winter the haunting call of the humpback whale can be heard.
5. KRUGER NATIONAL PARK – SOUTH AFRICA
The oldest, most established reserve in Africa, the Kruger boasts an amazing variety of game and bird life throughout its numerous habitats. The fantastic opportunities to view the Big Five draw many visitors to the park, hoping to spot lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and black rhinoceros. Game drives and guided walking trails offer great animal watching opportunities in the African bush.
6. DJEMAA el FNAA SQUARE – MARRAKESH – MOROCCO
A tapestry of colours, smells, sites and wonderful local characters make a visit to this bustling marketplace an unforgettable experience. Be entertained by fortune tellers, street performers and henna women. The Municipal Market sells local fresh produce. Take a ride in a Horse-drawn carriage and enjoy the spectacular sunset. More performers come out in the evening and entertain till midnight. Enjoy the famous local orange juice or mint tea!
7. THE SERENGETI – TANZANIA
The Serengeti National Park, covering 14,763 sq. km, is named ‘endless plains’ in Masai. Here are 35 species of mammals, including wildebeest, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant and giraffe, and over 200 species of birds.
The annual wildebeest migration is possibly the most spectacular natural event in Africa.
8. THE VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE
From either Zimbabwe or Zambia you can experience the world’s largest sheet of falling water. The spray can be seen up to 30 kilometres away – hence the local name ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ – “The smoke that thunders”.
Apart from the spectacular views including permanent rainbows arcing across the face of the falls, one can experience the waters along the river at closer quarters with white water rafting.
9. LAKE MALAWI
The 3rd largest lake in Africa is a tropical paradise. The tranquil waters lap against shores lined with palm, mango, banana and avocado trees. Here you can kayak, while snorkeling offers access to the colourful kaleidoscope of endemic cichlids found at this UNESCO world heritage site.
10. TABLE MOUNTAIN – SOUTH AFRICA
This iconic landmark stands in the centre of the beautiful city of Cape Town.
Climb, or experience the wonders of the revolving cable car. Either way a visit to one of the most recognizable mountains in the world is a must for your trip around the great African continent. And while you’re there, enjoy the wonders of Cape Town -beaches, winelands, Robben Island – each one a ‘Top 10′ in its own right!