Majestic Table Mountain

Table Mountain is a highlight of any trip to Cape Town. Heck, it’s a highlight of the entire African continent — this elevated plateau rises above the city in the most majestic formation.

Visitors can trek to the top, or they can hop on a cable car for about $20 USD return ticket. Several of my fellow overland travelers are still in town so I join them one afternoon for the cable car ride. There isn’t a cloud in the sky; it’s the perfect time to enjoy an unspoiled view of Cape Town.

Along with places like Iguazu Falls and the Amazon Rainforest, Table Mountain is one of the New Seven Wonders of the Natural World. (I don’t totally get the various distinctions on these ’Seven Wonders’ lists, but it sounds like lofty and deserved praise.)

The short ride to the top is stellar — there’s a turntable rotating in the center of the cable car like we’re in a production of Les Mis; everyone has a perfect view of Cape Town as we swivel 360-degrees.

All too quickly we arrive at the top. But the views keep getting better — we have about an hour to walk around up here before our scheduled return to the base of Table Mountain at closing time.

That is Robben Island in the distance, where Nelson Mandela spent the majority of his time in prison. I’ll take the ferry out there to visit in a few days.

That peak below is Lion’s Head, a difficult but rewarding hike that I am so sorry I never get the chance to attempt during my two weeks in Cape Town. Unfortunately the weather here is often cloudy and the clear days don’t sync up with my free mornings or afternoons where I could’ve climbed it. Next time…

I’ll be quiet now and let you enjoy photos from the top of Table Mountain without interruption. There’s not much to add in the way of commentary — this place is full of spectacular views. I’m glad to be here on my second day in town, as it heightens my awareness of the geography of Cape Town and pumps me up for all the activities I plan to do.

This view below looks left towards the Twelve Apostles, a series of towering monoliths that stretches along the coast of Cape Town towards Cape Point. The coastline is rugged and spectacular and green.