Official Fee Status: Verified with SANParks Tariffs (Last checked: November 2024)
The Table Mountain My Green Card is an exclusive access pass issued by South African National Parks (SANParks) specifically for Cape Town residents. Designed to make outdoor recreation affordable for local communities living around the Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) boundary, this card gives eligible holders 12 free entries per year into the park’s fee-paying sections for roughly the price of a single adult entry to Cape Point.
Understanding how the My Green Card compares against standard daily conservation charges, regional SADC rates, and annual Wild Card memberships is essential when planning visits to Cape Town’s natural wonders. This guide breaks down current prices, entry rules, eligibility requirements, and park-specific details to help you choose the best fee option for your budget and travel frequency.
Current Table Mountain My Green Card Explained
The Table Mountain My Green Card is an annual concession card created to support local access to protected conservation zones. While vast stretches of Table Mountain National Park—such as Lion’s Head, Signal Hill, and general mountain hiking trails—are open access with no entrance fee, designated high-conservation and developed leisure zones require gate access.
Key Details of the My Green Card Pass:
- Cost: R212 per card (valid for 12 months from the date of issue).
- Included Entitlements: 12 individual entry passes (punches/clips) to any SANParks TMNP pay points.
- Covered Locations:
- Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point
- Boulders Penguin Colony
- Silvermine Nature Reserve (Dam & picnic areas)
- Oudekraal Coastal Resort
- Tokai Picnic and Braai Area
- Newlands Picnic Area
- Perdekloof Picnic Area
- Sharing Rules: The card is non-transferable and issued to one individual. However, the cardholder may use multiple clips on a single visit to admit accompanying South African residents (adults or children) who possess proof of South African residency. For example, a cardholder bringing three adult local friends uses four clips from their total 12-entry allocation.
If you are exploring broader South Africa national park fees, noting regional pass options like the My Green Card helps local residents minimize leisure costs while contributing to ongoing biodiversity conservation.
South African Resident, SADC and International Visitor Fees
Entrance tariffs across Table Mountain National Park operate on a three-tiered structure depending on visitor origin. When evaluating entrance fees in South Africa across national parks, SANParks differentiates between local citizens/residents, Southern African Development Community (SADC) nationals, and international travelers.
Resident status
South African citizens and permanent residents pay localized conservation fees. To qualify for resident entry or to purchase a My Green Card, adult visitors over 18 must present a valid South African Green ID book, Smart ID card, or South African driver’s license.
SADC pricing
Nationals from SADC member countries (such as Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Eswatini) receive discounted conservation tariffs below international standard rates. SADC visitors must present a valid national passport at the gate to claim these prices.
International visitors
Travelers from outside SADC pay the Standard Conservation Fee. These funds go directly toward managing heavy visitor infrastructure, trail preservation, alien plant clearing, and ranger patrols across the urban-park interface.
Table Mountain National Park Daily Conservation Fees (SANParks Tariffs)
| Pay Point / Gate | Visitor Category | Adult Rate (12+ yrs) | Child Rate (2–11 yrs) |
| Cape of Good Hope / Cape Point | SA Citizen & Resident | R105 | R55 |
| SADC National | R210 | R105 | |
| International Standard | R455 | R225 | |
| Boulders Penguin Colony | SA Citizen & Resident | R50 | R25 |
| SADC National | R100 | R50 | |
| International Standard | R215 | R105 | |
| Silvermine / Oudekraal / Tokai / Newlands | SA Citizen & Resident | R42 | R21 |
| SADC National | R85 | R42 | |
| International Standard | R184 | R92 |
Adult and Child Conservation Fees
SANParks enforces standardized age definitions across all daily entry points:
Adult fees
Adult rates apply to all individuals aged 12 years and older. When using a My Green Card, each adult entry deducts one full clip from the card’s 12-visit counter.
Child fees
Child conservation rates apply to visitors aged 2 to 11 years. Children under 2 years enter free of charge. When entering with a My Green Card holder, each child aged 2–11 uses one clip from the card.
For families comparing entry pass options, reviewing entrance fees by province and city helps highlight local reserve alternatives and municipal entry discounts across the Western Cape.
Wild Card and Multi-Day Cost Notes
Choosing between daily cash entry, a Table Mountain My Green Card, and an annual SANParks Wild Card depends on your residency and planned frequency of visits.
┌────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Do you live in the Cape Town Metro? │
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┌────────────────┴────────────────┐
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[ YES ] [ NO ]
│ │
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐ ┌────────┴────────┐
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Visiting TMNP pay points Visiting multiple Frequent visitor 1-2 visits per
up to 12 times/year? national parks across to national parks year only?
│ South Africa? nationwide? │
▼ │ │ ▼
[ MY GREEN CARD ] ▼ ▼ [ DAILY GATES ]
(R212/year) [ SANPARKS WILD CARD ] [ WILD CARD ] (Pay per entry)
(R895+ Individual)
Table Mountain Pass Comparison Overview
| Feature / Criteria | Daily Conservation Fee | Table Mountain My Green Card | SANParks / All Parks Wild Card |
| Target Audience | Occasional visitors & tourists | Cape Town Metro Residents only | SA Residents, SADC & Foreigners |
| Initial Cost | Per entry (R42 – R455) | R212 fixed fee | R895 – R1,870 (Local clusters) |
| Entry Allowance | 1 single entry | 12 entry clips per card | Unlimited entries for 365 days |
| Valid Coverage | Single selected pay point | 7 TMNP pay points only | 21+ SANParks / 80+ Nature Reserves |
| Guest Allowance | N/A | Can share clips with SA guests | Individual, Couple, or Family options |
| Cableway Discount | None | 20% off Adult Cableway tickets | 20% off Adult Cableway tickets |
Park-Specific Fee Notes
To maximize the value of your My Green Card, it helps to understand how daily gate entry works across the primary pay-point locations within Table Mountain National Park:
- Cape of Good Hope (Cape Point): This is the highest daily entry fee section in the park (R105 for SA adults, R455 for foreigners). Using a single My Green Card clip here offers instant savings, as one clip covers an entry that would otherwise cost R105 in standard daily local conservation fees.
- Boulders Beach Penguin Colony: Located near Simon’s Town, this boardwalk section provides access to view African penguins. A single clip admits one adult or child local resident.
- Silvermine Nature Reserve: Popular for hiking around the Silvermine Dam, braai areas, and mountain biking. Entry gate control operates at Silvermine North and South.
- Oudekraal & Coastal Picnic Areas: Oudekraal lies between Camps Bay and Llandudno. It is a fenced, pay-point beach cove with braai facilities. Tokai Forest and Newlands picnic/braai sites also require gate payment or a My Green Card clip during open operational hours.
Visitors wishing to compare related sanparks conservation fees across reserves like West Coast, Agulhas, or Karoo National Park should note that My Green Cards are not valid outside Table Mountain National Park.
Conservation Fees vs Accommodation and Activities
A common misconception is that a My Green Card or daily conservation fee covers all recreational pursuits inside Table Mountain National Park.
What is EXCLUDED from Conservation Fees and My Green Card:
Gate and activity extras
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway: The cable car is operated independently by the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC). Standard SANParks conservation fees do not cover cable car tickets. However, My Green Card holders receive a 20% discount on adult Cableway return tickets when purchased directly at the Cableway Visitor Centre.
- Recreational Activity Permits: Specialized activities within the national park require distinct annual or daily permits:
- Dog walking permits
- Mountain biking / cycling permits
- Line-fishing and crayfishing permits
- Rock climbing and hang-gliding permits
- Overnight Accommodation: Staying at SANParks tented camps (e.g., Slangkop or Smitswinkel Tented Camps) or mountain cottages (e.g., Overseers Cottage) requires separate booking fees. Daily conservation fees or My Green Card clips are charged separately from room rates.
- Commercial Photography & Events: Special permits are required for film shoots, commercial weddings, and organized sports events.
What to Check Before Booking or Arriving
To ensure a smooth visit when applying for or using your My Green Card, review these essential operational requirements verified by SANParks:
- Where to Purchase: Currently, My Green Cards can only be purchased in person at the Tokai Tourist Office (Tokai Road, Tokai). They are not sold online or at gate pay-points such as Cape Point or Boulders Beach.
- Required Documents for Application:
- A valid South African ID document, Smart ID, or SA Passport.
- Proof of Cape Town residence (e.g., a utility bill, rates account, or lease agreement in your name, not older than 3 months).
- Two printed ID-sized photographs.
- Payment Methods: The Tokai Sales Office operates strictly as a cashless facility (credit or debit cards only).
- Operating Hours & Load-Shedding: The sales office is open Monday to Friday (08:00 to 15:45, closed 12:30 to 13:00 for lunch). During power interruptions or load-shedding, card processing machines may be offline; visitors are advised to call (+27 21 712 7471) prior to visiting.
- Physical Card Presentation: You must present the physical My Green Card along with your SA ID at park entry gates to receive entry clips. Digital copies or photographs of the card are not accepted.
For details on administrative policies across regional parks, read our full breakdown on how entrance fees are checked and updated.
Related SANParks and National Park Fee Pages
When planning trips across South Africa’s conservation network, explore these related fee guides and park hub resources:
- SANParks National Park Conservation Fees: Complete directory of adult, child, and international conservation rates across all 21 national parks.
- Western Cape Nature Reserve Fees: Entrance tariffs and access passes for CapeNature reserves, municipal parks, and regional botanical gardens.
- SANParks Wild Card Guide: Complete pricing guide for Individual, Couple, and Family Wild Card options across national parks nationwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Table Mountain My Green Card usually include?
The My Green Card includes 12 free entry clips into SANParks-managed pay points within Table Mountain National Park, including Cape Point, Boulders Beach, Silvermine, Oudekraal, and Tokai/Newlands braai areas. It does not cover accommodation, commercial activity permits, or Table Mountain Cableway rides.
Do South African residents pay different rates for Table Mountain My Green Card?
The My Green Card itself is available exclusively to South African citizens and permanent residents living within the Cape Town metropolitan area. Non-residents and international visitors cannot purchase the card and must pay standard daily conservation fees or purchase a Wild Card.
Does a Wild Card affect Table Mountain My Green Card?
A Wild Card and a My Green Card are separate SANParks passes. A Wild Card offers unlimited free entry for 365 days across all national parks nationwide, whereas a My Green Card is a localized pass giving 12 entries per year to Table Mountain National Park pay points only. You do not need both.
Where should visitors confirm Table Mountain My Green Card details?
Visitors should confirm requirements and current office operating hours directly with the official SANParks Table Mountain National Park tourist office or by checking verified updates on the SANParks official website.