Table Mountain is the country's most attractive and photographed landmark. Its flat top reaches 1086 metres above sea level. This mountain attracts millions of people to its summit. However, the way to its summit has never been easy and for centuries only a handful of brave and determined people could say they have conquered it.
In 1912, the Cape Town City Council commissioned engineers to investigate the feasibility of various public transport options for easy access to the summit of Table Mountain. The choice was to build a cable car, which began operation on 4 October 1929 and has since been upgraded only three times in its almost century-long history, most recently in October 1997.
The slopes and foothills of Table Mountain are home to over 2200 plant species, most of which are endemic to the area.
The magnificent Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, which is located at the eastern foot of the mountain, founded in 1913, covers an area of 528 hectares, including a unique winter garden with plants brought from all over the world.
The local fauna is even more impressive. Baboons, lions, zebras and mountain leopards, which live only in this area, can be seen here. At the foot of the mountain, penguins gather on boulders, and ostriches can be seen in the distance.
This mountain hides many more surprises waiting to be discovered.
