What is special about Table Mountain?

It is the only South African and only natural site on the planet to have a constellation of stars named after it. The constellation is called “Mensa”, which means 'table' in Latin. 2. Having withstood 6 million years of erosion, it hosts the richest floral kingdom on earth, with more than 1 470 floral species.



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Table Mountain has an incredibly diverse range of plant and animal life, most of which are endemic. This means they are not found anywhere else. In the national park, there are 8,200 plant species. The most common animal found on the mountain is the rock hyrax, also called the dassie.

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Rising above Cape Town, Table Mountain is probably South Africa's most iconic landmark. The stunning flat-topped mountain is home to the widest variety of flowers and other plant life in the world and, in fact, contains more species of plants than exist in the entire British Isles – despite being smaller than London.

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A well-known folk tale is that of Table Mountain being the warden of the Southern corner of the earth. It tells that the African god Tixo, God of the Sun, conceived a child with the Earth Goddess Djobela. Their son, Qamata, went on to create the world.

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Table Mountain is the best vantage point from which to take in a gorgeous view of a gorgeous city: ocean and beaches on one side; Lion's Head and skyscrapers on the other; Robben Island in the distance.

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Hike Table Mountain. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 99% of travelers recommend this experience.

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The mountain was sacred for the Khoi and San, who believed their supreme god, Tsui//Goab,roamed there. The Khoi called Cape Town “Camissa,” the place of sweet waters, based on a stream that flows from under the mountain and into the ocean.

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The name was unknowingly confirmed in 1601 by the Dutch explorer, Joris van Spilbergen, when he named the bay at the foot of the mountain – and what he thought was a new discovery – Tafel Baay (Dutch for Table Bay) on account of the “high hill, flat and square like a table.” Thus the mountain became known as Tafelberg ...

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Not surprisingly, it is a long slog to the top, and you should allow yourself plenty of time to get up and back down again - anything up to 6 hours if you also want to spend some time at the top. It is also possible to arrange to do a guided half day or full day hike up the mountain if you prefer.

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Origins of the name The English term Devil's Peak is a 19th-century translation from the Dutch Duivels Kop, and supposedly comes from the folk-tale about a Dutch man called Jan van Hunks, a prodigious pipe smoker who lived at the foot of the mountain circa 1700.

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Cape Town's. world renowned Icon. Just over 250 million years ago Table Mountain was part of the ocean bed off the coast of what was to become South Africa.

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Geological Summary Table Mountain, an andesitic stratovolcano at the NW corner of Lassen National Park, is an andesitic stratovolcano active about 1-2 million years ago.

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Hiking trails A popular Table Mountain hiking trail is Platteklip Gorge, a three-hour hike that leads from Tafelberg Road to the Upper Cableway Station, making it the cable car's equivalent of taking the stairs instead of the elevator (best avoided on a hot day, as there is little shade along the trail).

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Table Mountain stands tall and proud as an iconic natural wonder in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa. With its breathtaking views, diverse flora and fauna and historical significance, it has captured the hearts of millions of visitors from around the world.

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Always bring something warm even on summer days, just in case, as weather can quickly change and it can get cold and windy at the top of the mountain. Even if the forecast is good. Shorts are preferred in summer, but loose-fitting pants are also fine. It's always best to wear something light.

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