Table Mountain National Park – Spending a Full Day Above Cape Town
Table Mountain is one of those places you feel you already know before you’ve even been there. You’ve seen it in photos, documentaries, and postcards: that perfectly flat top rising above Cape Town. Still, standing there in real life feels very different.
We visited Table Mountain during our stay just outside the city, at Kairos Lodge in Houtbaai. Quiet mornings, birds instead of traffic, and enough distance from the city to feel relaxed, but close enough to head out early. And early was exactly the plan.
We left as soon as possible that morning, not because we’re natural early risers (hell no, not me hahaha), but because we knew parking near the cableway fills up quickly. And we wanted time, real time, to stay on the mountain all day, not rush up and down, and then up to the next tourist attraction.
Because honestly, that’s a bit what is, right?
Cape Town from above
The drive itself is easy. Once you’re close, the mountain more or less guides you. It’s always there, looming quietly in the background, making you feel small long before you even step onto it.
What isn’t immediately obvious, though, is how much waiting comes with this experience.
Queues, Patience, and the Cable Car Reality
Even arriving early, we quickly learned that visiting Table Mountain means queues. First, you queue for your ticket entrance.
Then, you queue again to actually get into the cable car. Standing there, watching clouds move and crowds grow, it can get frustrating, especially if you’re excited to get up there.
One thing that did take the pressure off: there’s no need to stress about where you stand in the cable car. The cabins rotate slowly during the ascent, so everyone gets their moment looking out over Cape Town, the ocean, and the surrounding landscape.
No jockeying for position, no disappointment, just steady, slowly unfolding views. And photographers: there is PLENTY of TIME to film the surroundings, do not PUSH PEOPLE! – lol. Frustrating!
In my video below, you can see the whole thing turning around at every angle!
That ride alone already felt like part of the experience.
Leaving the Crowds Behind
At the top, the first impression is busy. People everywhere. Cameras clicking. Voices echoing. If that’s all you see, you might wonder what the fuss is about.
But then you start walking.
And once you move away from the main cluster of tourists, something shifts. The noise fades. The paths open up. Suddenly, Table Mountain feels vast, quiet, and surprisingly wild.
That contrast — between crowds and solitude — was one of the biggest surprises of the day. And one of the many reasons I love Africa.
Just don’t underestimate hiking on Table Mountain, you do need to be fit, not like a top athlete level, but still.
We didn’t hike up Table Mountain ourselves, and honestly, after walking around on top, I’m glad we didn’t. Even up there, some paths are narrow, uneven, and uncomfortably close to steep drops.
I guess I’m getting old haha! But the view up there is breathtaking, I must admit!
At one point, I genuinely froze. Not in a dramatic way: just that sudden realization that one wrong step wouldn’t end well. It’s a reminder that while Table Mountain is very accessible, it’s still real terrain, not a landscaped park.
Follow the arrow in the video below to see where I just (froze). One step, and I could have had a steep fall, ugh.
Mist rolled in and out while we walked, sometimes softening the views, sometimes hiding them entirely. It made the place feel moody and unpredictable — beautiful, but not something to underestimate.
Fynbos, Flowers, and Sunbirds
One of my favorite parts of the day was actually slowing down and looking at what grows up there.
The vegetation on Table Mountain is called fynbos, part of the Cape Floristic Region. It’s not lush or dramatic at first glance — no towering trees, no dense forest — but it’s incredibly unique.
Low shrubs, fine leaves, delicate flowers, all adapted to wind, poor soil, and fire. Once you start paying attention, it’s full of detail.
We saw beautiful flowers tucked between rocks and plenty of sunbirds flitting from plant to plant. Those small moments — quiet, almost easy to miss — were what made the mountain feel alive rather than just scenic.
And as we are absolutely fond of birdwatching, we definitly enjoyed that! After all, we didn’t buy our Nikon Coolpix camera for nothing, we needed to use it!
A Full Day Above the City — And an Honest Ending
Spending a full day on Table Mountain was genuinely beautiful. The space, the light, the feeling of being high above Cape Town — all of it made the effort worthwhile.
But would we do it again?
I’m not entirely sure.
The long, crowded, and loud wait to go back down felt like a jarring end to an otherwise calm day. After hours of quiet walking and open space, being funneled back into queues was exhausting.
For me, Table Mountain is absolutely worth visiting once.
Practical Tips From Our Experience
If you’re planning your own visit, here’s what I’d genuinely recommend:
If crowds bother you, plan your descent with extra patience
Arrive early, mainly for parking and shorter queues
Expect two separate lines before reaching the cable car
Don’t stress about your spot in the cable car — it rotates
Bring plenty of water, even if it’s not hot in the city
Stick to marked paths and be cautious near edges
Weather can change fast — mist can roll in suddenly
FAQ – Visiting Table Mountain National Park
How much does the Table Mountain cable car cost?
Ticket prices depend on the season and time of day, but for adults, you can expect roughly:
Return ticket: around ZAR 400–450
One-way ticket: around ZAR 220–250
Children and seniors usually pay less. Prices change regularly, so it’s best to check the official cableway site before your visit.
Do I need to book tickets in advance?
You don’t have to, but booking online can save time at the ticket counter. That said, even with pre-booked tickets, you’ll still queue to board the cable car.
How long does the cable car ride take?
The ride itself is short — only a few minutes — but allow extra time for queues, especially during busy periods or good weather days.
What are the opening hours?
Opening hours vary by season and weather conditions. The cableway may close temporarily if winds are strong or visibility is poor, so always check the status on the morning of your visit.
Is hiking on Table Mountain free?
Yes. Hiking routes within Table Mountain National Park are free to access. You only pay if you use the cableway.
Is Table Mountain suitable for everyone?
The cableway makes the summit accessible to most visitors, but walking around on top still requires caution. Some paths are uneven and close to steep edges, so it’s not a place to wander carelessly.
Is Table Mountain one of the 7 wonders of the world?
Table Mountain is one of the 7 wonders of the natural world and was chosen in 2011 by over 500 million individuals.
My Final Conclusion.
I hope that you found this article on the Table Mountain National Park in South- Africa interesting and if you have any more questions, please feel free to leave them down below in the comment section.
You can now also join my social media channels below for more pictures, videos, and stories about my travels to Africa!
Who am I? Well, the least you can say is that I am quite crazy about Africa, its nature, its climate, its culture, and more.
As a young woman in my twenties, I had already traveled to several African countries by traveling along in an overlander on my own and mostly camping ( or glamping ) and just fell in love with the diversity of it all.
So much, so that at the age of 26, I went back to university to study biology, which, unfortunately, I couldn’t finish because of health reasons (yes, I got sick from a tropical disease, oh cynicism). But this did not stop my dream of traveling back to Africa several times, and I still do.
My dream was back then to leave Europe and go study animal behavior, especially the elephants (sure, that’s every girl’s dream haha), but I am also very much intrigued by hyenas and other “ugly African animals“.
So, I “kind of” have a little bit of a scientific approach to my articles, when I write about African birds, for example. And most of all: the passion.
But life goes on, you move from one side of the country to the other, you get sick again and top it off with lower back problems, and before you know it, you are over 50 hahaha!
Now, I still travel to Africa, but take it a bit “easier” than the good old camping days, and stay in comfortable, yet affordable accommodations, together with my husband Wouter.
These are some of the countries I have traveled to: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Tunisia, and a little bit of Lesotho LOL .
While clearly not being African territory, but Spanish, I also visited Gran Canaria and Tenerife, and location-wise, I consider them “African”, because of their climate and nature, sue me :-p
The last trip I took was to South Africa in the year 2023, and it sure got the fevers for Africa back! From the Barberton mountains to the Drakensberg and the Southcoast, one month wasn’t enough at all to see the whole country, so we’ll be back! At ease and with a little bit more luxury than in my younger days haha!
5 thoughts on “Table Mountain National Park – Spending a Full Day Above Cape Town”
Hi Lizzy – South Africa, specifically, Table Mountain National Park is one of the most well-known places in the world. I learned something new about the mountains – they are over six hundred million years old. Wow! For adventure seekers, there is a lot of activities from hiking to admiring the views and animals. I love traveling, so South Africa is on my list of places to visit.
Hey, this is a true marvel, and I can’t help but be captivated by its natural wonders. Having personally experienced the breathtaking landscapes and encountered the rich diversity of wildlife, it’s a profound journey into the heart of nature’s beauty. For anyone seeking an unforgettable escape, this park is a testament to the extraordinary magic our planet has to offer.
Hi Lizzy –
South Africa, specifically, Table Mountain National Park is one of the most well-known places in the world. I learned something new about the mountains – they are over six hundred million years old. Wow!
For adventure seekers, there is a lot of activities from hiking to admiring the views and animals. I love traveling, so South Africa is on my list of places to visit.
Godwin
Hi Godwin
I totally agree with you and I’m glad that my article still learned you something:-)
Also, I hope that you get to South-Africa soon! I have visited a few times and I would like to go back soon!
I wish you happy travels!
Lizzy
Thanks Godwin, happy travels!
Hey, this is a true marvel, and I can’t help but be captivated by its natural wonders. Having personally experienced the breathtaking landscapes and encountered the rich diversity of wildlife, it’s a profound journey into the heart of nature’s beauty. For anyone seeking an unforgettable escape, this park is a testament to the extraordinary magic our planet has to offer.
Thanks Jake 😊