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South Africa travel facts
| Area (sq km): | 1,221,040 | |
| Population: | 44,344,136 | |
| Nationality: | South African | |
| Local Name: | South Africa | |
| Language: | IsiZulu, IsiXhosa, Afrikaans, Sepedi |
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| Time Zone: | +2 GMT | |
| Currency: | 1 rand = 100 cents | |
| Rate: | www.xe.com | |
| Capital: | Pretoria | |
| Dialling Code: | +27 | |
| Electricity: | 220V/50Hz | |
| Internet Code: | .za | |
| Religion: | Zion Christian, Pentecostal, Catholic |
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| Climate: | Mediterranean, Desert, Subtropical |
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| Government: | Republic | |
| Inoculations: | Yellow Fever | |
| Driving: | Left | |
| Int'l License: | Required | |
| Banking: | M-F 8.30-15.30 | |
| Major Airports: | Cape Town(CPT), Durban(DUR), Johannesburg(JNB), Mmabatho(MBD), Nelspruit-Kruger (MQP), Polokwane(PTG) |
Table Mountain - Cape Town accommodation
The majestic Table Mountain in South Africa is, without doubt, one of the most visited sites of Cape Town. When the travellers look at Table Mountain for the first time, it takes their breath away, with its unique level plateau measuring approximately three kilometres and its steep hills around it.
The highest peak measures 1,086 metres. The top of Table Mountain is covered in mist, which the locals call “the table cloth”. The scenery from the top of the mountain overlooking Cape Town and Table Bay, with the Atlantic Ocean as a background, is spectacular, especially at sunset. Here the phrase “once seen, never forgotten”, truly applies.
Table Mountain activities
Before embarking on any Table Mountain activities, it is advisable to check the weather forecast, as it can get extremely windy or misty. There is something to do for everybody! Follow one of the several trails for hiking, rock-climbing, traditional climbing, caving, wild-flower spotting and much more.
For those who prefer a more sedate pace, there is the famous cableway, which rotates 360 degrees, giving the passengers a complete view of the panorama. It only takes between five to ten minutes to reach to the top of the mountain. It is said that approximately 800,000 visitors a year use the cableway.
Nature lovers are in for a treat, as the flora and fauna on Table Mountain are prolific. There are about 2,200 species of plants, including beautiful wild flowers and fynbos vegetation. Also tortoises, snakes, porcupines, mongooses, African wild cats and rock dassies live in this habitat.
The very cute rock dassies, an animal similar to a guinea pig, are always waiting for food from the visitors and although feeding the mountain animals is not allowed, it is frequently done. Be sure to include a Table Mountain visit when you book Cape Town accommodation.