Residents and visitors planning outdoor activities this week are urged to take heed of a public safety announcement from Table Mountain National Park (TMNP), which has implemented widespread temporary closures across its sections due to severe weather battering Cape Town and the surrounding areas.
The closures, effective immediately, are deemed necessary for public safety as the park grapples with significant weather-related impacts.
A media statement released today, Monday, May 11, detailed the shutdown of numerous popular sites and trails.
Areas include: Forest Link Walkway, at Boulders Penguin Colony; Oudekraal picnic site; Lion’s Head summit; Signal Hill precinct; Deer Park Trails; Newlands picnic site; Cecilia Forest trails; Constantia Nek trails; Tokai picnic site, and Tokai trails - Upper and Lower Sections; and Silvermine gates and picnic site.
South African National Parks (SANParks) spokesman JP Louw said that funicular and shuttle services within the Cape of Good Hope section have been suspended until conditions improve.
TMNP management teams are actively addressing multiple incidents, including fallen trees and branches, flash flooding, water-related damage to infrastructure, and hazardous trail conditions.
Park officials have also confirmed that they are monitoring for necessary wildlife rescue operations.
"The South African National Parks (SANParks) strongly urges the public to avoid all unnecessary travel and hiking within the affected park areas. Extreme caution is advised, particularly around rivers, streams, coastal zones, and low-lying areas, as numerous reports indicate unstable ground and fallen debris," he said.
While TMNP is extensively impacted, other SANParks sites in the Cape Region - including Agulhas, Bontebok, Tankwa Karoo, and West Coast National Park - remain operational but are on high alert.
SANParks requests full cooperation from the public in adhering to all safety signage, barricades, and instructions provided by park officials and emergency personnel during this severe weather event.
To stay updated, visit sanparks.org.
Find Atlantic Sun on TikTok and Instagram @ccmonlineza.