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One of the Best Things to Do in Cape Town: Abseil off Table Mountain!
One of the Best Things to Do in Cape Town: Abseil off Table Mountain!
It is essential to abseil off Table Mountain! It’s among the greatest things to do in Cape Town and an amazing, life-changing event!
The ‘Hands-free Hello Mama Africa’ involves releasing the ropes and leaning back over the cliff to pose. It’s my turn to grin for the camera, my heart pounding and my palms perspiring.
Table Mountain is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and here are seven reasons to go abseiling down it.
Reason #1: Table Mountain is where the abseil is located.
The most popular must-do activity in Cape Town is climbing the iconic Table Mountain.
This beautiful abseil will raise your pulse rate while you’re up there taking in the views. It’s incredible to visit one of the world’s natural beauties, but the experience is made much more memorable by abseiling off Table Mountain’s cliffs.
Table Mountain is the most frequented landmark in Cape Town, which is the second most visited location in South Africa after Kruger Park. Standing 1085 meters (about 3560 feet) above the city center, this flat-topped peak draws continual attention and an endless flow of both inhabitants and tourists.
Why not give the experience of standing atop one of the most well-known icons in the world a healthy dose of adrenaline?
Reason #2: The scenery is breathtaking
The expansive vistas from the summit of Table Mountain are truly remarkable, but the views from the abseil are even more breathtaking.
The Twelve Apostles rise up at your side as you gaze down at Camp’s Bay, the Atlantic Seaboard, and the vast blue ocean that dangles from the high cliff. You can get amazing up-close views of Table Mountain’s lower slopes and hillsides from the abseil.
There is a steep overhang for a good portion of the descent, so you are free to look around the amazing scenery while dangling in midair!
Naturally, climbing Table Mountain for the abseil also allows you to take in the sights from the summit and on the ascent and descent. Enjoying the views from the large windows is an extra perk of riding the cable car. The cable car’s floor spins 360 degrees, allowing you to see the city, Table Bay, the Atlantic Seaboard, Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, and the towering cliffs above.
Reason #3: the thrill of adrenaline!
The abseil off Table Mountain is sure to make your heart race, unless you’re an experienced, extreme explorer (the Bear Grylls sort).
Because the thrill isn’t dependent on random encounters or uncontrollable circumstances, abseil has an advantage over other experiences like shark cage diving. In terms of sheer excitement, it also surpasses more subdued adventure sports like walking in the city or cycling in Cape Point.
On Monday morning, I went abseiling with Abseil Africa, and the excitement carried me through the remainder of the week.
Reason #4: Abseiling is not too difficult
No particular abilities are needed. Experience is not required. You can just enjoy the ride because you won’t be using your head much. The guides lead you through the entire process and demonstrate the ropes before you descend.
You don’t need to be physically healthy or strong. You can perform this abseil correctly even if you have no coordination. Furthermore, the instructions essentially lower you down nonetheless if you don’t.
“Two ropes are used to secure clients. The client controls the main line, while the guide controls the belay line. Thus, the guide always maintains control over the client even if they are in a state of absolute ecstasy and excitement. Abseil Africa’s Kevin Sheehan
Abseiling from Table Mountain is so simple that you can plunge over the edge at any age, from under 10 to over 80. Weight is the sole limitation. You cannot weigh more than 150 kg or be too light (less than 40 kg).
The fifth reason is that it’s quick.
For people who are short on time, abseiling off Table Mountain is a perfect sport.
Setting aside at least two and a half hours for a quick abseil would likely fit into your schedule if you’re in town on a whirlwind tour. The V&A Waterfront and the center of Cape Town are both easily accessible from the mountain abseil.
Table Mountain can be reached by cable car in under six to eight minutes. The most time-consuming aspect is waiting in line; this can take up to an hour, particularly at busy times of the year and if the cable car was closed the day before. Because there is a distinct line for people with pre-booked tickets, online booking usually expedites the process a little.
From the preparations to the abseil down the rock face to the picturesque hike back to the top, the entire abseil takes roughly forty-five minutes. Going abseiling doesn’t require a lot of driving and takes the entire day, in contrast to activities like hiking in Cape Point, shark cage diving in Gansbaai, and wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.
At a slight push, the abseil may still be completed in a half-day since you can trek up the mountain in a few hours (one if you are extremely athletic).
Reason #6: one of Cape Town’s less expensive adventure activities
When visiting the Cape, many low-budget tourists try to fit in as many adventurous activities as they can. Another reason the abseil off Table Mountain receives a high rating is because it frequently boils down to selecting just a few trips to stay within budget.
The cost of the cable car travel and the abseil itself is approximately R1000.
Adults: R200 one way, R300 to R360 return (during high season).
Children (ages 4 to 17): R100 one way and R150 to R180 return
There are several special tariffs available to South African citizens, including a free ride on your birthday. On the Cableway website, you may check the timings and weather, as well as purchase tickets for the cable car in advance.
Walking up and/or down the mountain is the most cost-effective approach to save money. Depending on your level of fitness, this strenuous ascent up Platteklip Gorge takes one to three hours. Other routes up Table Mountain are Nursery Ravine and Skeleton Gorge. For additional information, safety advice, and hiking guides, see the South African National Parks (SANParks) website.
As an alternative, Abseil Africa offers hikes and abseils for R1790 per person.
Seventh reason: it’s the perfect combo activities
Aside from riding the cable car up Table Mountain, abseiling off the mountain goes well with a number of other activities.
Hop on, hop off the Red Bus City Tour. The City Sightseeing Tour is a round-trip ride in a double-decker, bright red bus with an open top. The shuttle makes a sightseeing loop, leaving the Two Oceans Aquarium every fifteen minutes. Long Street, St George’s Cathedral, the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), the Clock Tower, the Table Mountain Cableway (from which you can take the abseil), the South African Museum, the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, the South African Jewish Museum, the District Six Museum, the Castle of Good Hope, and five other locations are among the stops.
Enjoy entertainment, dining options, and shopping at the world-renowned Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, located on the outskirts of the city center. You can effortlessly blend shopping and outdoor exploration at the Waterfront, which is situated on the harbor and just a short distance from Table Mountain.
Before ascending Table Mountain for the thrilling abseil, take a city strolling tour to see the city’s historical and cultural landmarks.
The Bo-Kaap Tour and the Historical City Tour are the two Cape Town Free Walking Tours that you can participate in; both are free and last for one and a half hours. Check out TripAdvisor’s fantastic ratings of Cape Town Free Walking Tours.
Experience the local township culture and learn about the past and present realities of South African living by taking a township tour. TripAdvisor reviews praise Sivewe Township Tours, one of the best tour operators in Cape Town.
The abseil is a great way to see Cape Town from above and take in the scenery after experiencing the lively township culture.
A great approach to set the mood and increase your energy levels for an exciting night of pub crawling and dancing in Cape Town’s clubs is to party on Long Street, which will give you a rush of adrenaline before you hit the town.
The sea kayaking with Kaskazi Kayaks in Three Anchor Bay and the paragliding off Lion’s Head with Fly Cape Town Paragliding are two more activities that go nicely with Table Mountain’s abseil.
The previously mentioned combination of climbing Table Mountain and rewarding yourself with a refreshing drink at the cafe and a breezy abseil should not be overlooked. Great hiking companies, such as Hike Table Mountain, provide reasonably priced guided treks up Table Mountain and Lion’s Head for those with a little more money who want to explore an uncommon walking route.
A Brief Overview of Abseil Africa
Every day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Abseil Africa descends one of the tallest commercial abseils in the world.
The sole company offering abseiling expeditions on Table Mountain with a permit issued by SANParks is Abseil Africa, which was founded in 1995 by Trevor Ball. Twelve independent guides operate in the field, while three regular employees are stationed in the office.
When the gathering is big, the Abseil Africa crew can accommodate up to three persons abseiling down the rock face simultaneously. Typically, you descend two at a time, which makes it the perfect pastime for daring lovers.
You can make plans to go abseiling with them if you exceed the maximum weight restriction (pre-arrangement necessary). If they weigh at least 40 kg, children under the age of ten can also perform the abseil. Conversely, the oldest person they have ever taken abseiling was eighty-four years old!
In essence, you can perform the abseil off Table Mountain if you are reasonably healthy and fit. No justifications.
The Table Mountain Abseil is unquestionably his favorite, according to Kevin Sheehan, Operations and Logistics Manager at Abseil Africa:
“The fact that you are so high and the vista are both incredible. You can descend quickly for the ultimate rush if you’re an adrenaline junkie, or you can move slowly to take in the breathtaking sights. This was my first visit, so I was definitely doing more of the slow-to-not-moving pace.”
My Abseiling Tip: Bring water with you: Request that the Abseil Africa guys attach one of their convenient red bags to your harness so that you can bring your own hydrated beverage with you on the hot but easy ascent.
Avoid joining the never-ending stream of inquisitive individuals who linger on the clifftop’s edge, contemplating whether or not to attempt the abseil.
Spending R1000 on this is the best thing you can do on Table Mountain, even if it involves walking up the mountain instead of taking the cable car.