Indoor Activities

ARCADE GAMES - 021 595 1725 - Wonderland – N1 City
Huge variety of computer games, plenty of lights, sound, action. Players buy 50c tokens (up to 4 per game) – the better you are the longer you play. Also Tygervalley and Shoprite Centre Parow.

BOWLING-10 PIN - 021 930 4795 - The Pines, Parow
09h00 – 24h00 daily. Spilhaus Park (Shoprite Centre) Busy at night, wise to book. Bowling shoes for hire. 6 players can play on an Alley. Bar and snacks available. Also Indoor Putt Putt

BRIDGE - 021 531 4786 - Pinelands, & Sea Point
M – F 19h30 – 23h00. Contact Mrs Truter (531 4786) for details. Most Clubs cater for all abilities. For competitive games contact Steve McGibbon (52 3304) Wed in Rondebosch

DRIVING RANGE - 021 448 6117 - River Club, Observatory
7 days 09h00 – 21h00. There is an open and a covered range. R10 – 50 balls/R18 – 100 balls. River Club offers the best facilities including a good bar, pool tables and live music.

GRAND PRIX - 021 419 5465 - Waterfront Main Entrance
+/- 11h00 – 24h00. Coen Steytler Parking Garage. 6 karts on the circuit at a time. Different race formats available – most 15 to 20 laps. Good diner/pub. Costs R25 – R30 per race.

HEALTH CLUBS - 021 710 8500 - 12 clubs around the Cape.
+/- 05h30 – 21h00. Health & Racquet Entry R50 – most offer circuits, squash, weights, swimming pool, sauna, aerobics.

ICE SKATING - 021 535 4919 - Goodwood showgrounds
Am. Pm, & evenings. Times : listen to the taped message for opening times. Costs R12 – R20 per session incl skate hire.

INTERNET CAFÉ - 021 419 6180 - Bottom end Heerengracht
M – F 09h00 – 22h00. CONNEXION ON THE SQUARE Proper Internet Café. AOL & Compuserve. 8 PCs, Bar & Restaurant. Downloading and printing R15 per ½ hour. Open Sat.

LASERQUEST - 021 930 2214 - Shoprite Centre Parow
Open 7 days till late. 20 min games – shoot each other with laser guns (painless). Great for all. Same area as 10 Pin Bowling. Also Kenilworth Centre (Ph 021 683 7296). Booking essential.

POOL - 021 434 5197 - Ballroom – Main Rd Sea Pt
12h00 – 03h00. Ballroom – 11 tables, River Club – 20 tables, 166 Long St – 17 tables R2/game

Outdoor Activities

Abseiling - Abseil Africa - 021424 1580
Abseil Table Mountain, Chapman’s Peak

Archery - Protea Club Retreat - 021712 5520

Ballooning - Winelands Ballooning - 021863 3192
1 hr flight from Paarl Nov to May

Birdwatching - Rietvlei & Rondevlei - 021706 2404

Bungi Jumping - Face Adrenaline - 021712 5839

Canoeing/Rafting - Aquatrails - 021762 7916
Gentle & white water – Breede & Orange Breede, Orange, Winelands

Caving - Caving Club of SA - 021797 1718 ah
Sandstone caves on TM

Croquet - SA Croquet Assn - 021689 4432
Open club in Rondebosch

Cycle hire - Rent n Ride - 021434 1122
Day and weekly hire – 3 Anchor Bay

Cycling/Tours - Bikeabout - 021531 33274
Hire of bicycles : Organise cycle trips

Diving - Orca Training, boat charters, equipment hire

Equipment hire - All Sports - 021425 1056
Hire and buy all types of sports gear

4 x 4 - 4 x 4 Trails - 0834891204
Ride 3 tough trails, near Melkbosstrand

Fly Fishing - Ultimate Angling - 0836260467
Individual guided trout fishing in rivers

Flying - Flamingo Flights - 021790 1010
Fixed wing flights around the Peninsular

Game Fishing - Uwe Schmidt - 021783 2906
From Hout Bay – 06h00

Gliding - Worcester Gliding - 0825654627
Tandem flights through the Club

Helicopter flights - Court Helicopters - 021425 2966
Scenic flights from the V&A Breakwater

Hiking - Mountain Guide Assn - 021447 8036
Arrange Guides for any level

Hobie Cats - Fish Hoek Beach Sail - 021782 3205
Meet at the Club on Fish Hoek beach

Horseriding - Sleepy Hollow - 021789 2341
Beach rides

Jet Skiing - Rent n Ride - 021434 1122
Jet Ski from 3 Anchor Bay

Kayaking (Sea) - Coastal Kayak Trails - 021439 1134
½ & full day-dolphin & whale encounters

Kiting - Kite Shop W’front - 021421 6231
Power & aerobatic – Blouberg beach

Kloofing - Abseil Africa - 021424 1580
Swim, rock-hop & jump into mountain

Microliting - Louise van Wyk - 083 675 3541
Ride a lawnmower in the sky

Motor Biking - Mitaka Rent-it - 021439 6036/9
Scooters, cruisers, enduros, day rentals

Parachuting - WP Sport Parachute - 021462 5666
Tandem & 1 day jump course – Citrusdal

Paragliding - Parapente - 021762 6693
2 day training. High sites top flyers only

Quad Bikes - Cape Quad Trails - 083 321 6990
4 wheel trail thru sand & bush. 2 hr trails

Rock climbing - Ct School of M’tneering - 021619 604
Guides & training school

Rollerblading - Rent n Ride - 021434 1122
Hire of Rollerblades (in-line skates)

Rowing - Zeekoevlei Rowing - 021705 3373
Can get a row on Sunday morning

Rubber inflat’bl - False Bay Club - 021887 1872
Trips arranged in Rubber Inflatable

Sailing - Royal Cape Yacht - 021421 1354
Wednesday afternoons – social racing

Sandboarding - Downhill Adventures - 021422 0388
Down Betty’s Bay and Atlantis dunes

Scooter hire - Rent n Ride - 021434 1122
The best way to get around Cape Town

Surfing - Gary’s Surf School - 021783 2915
Beginners & experts – big waves off Kom

Tennis - WP – Rondebosch -021686 3055
Can arrange a game at most clubs

Theme Park - Ratanga Junction - 086 120 0300
Wild rollercoaster rides–N1 Sable Rd exit

Volleyball - Beach Volleyball - A net is always up on Camps Bay Beach

Waterskiing - Gary Walker - 083 731 4139
Also at Milnerton – Sat ph 082 809 1170

Windsurfing - Grant Ross - 082 449 9819

Yachting - Zeekoevlei - 021705 3373
Small class boats – can get a sail

Beaches & Facilities

NB The water on the Atlantic side is COLD. Less protection from the wind on the False Bay side. Take toilet paper, cool drinks (alcohol not allowed) and plenty of sunblock.

BLOUBERG: 2 beaches – Little Bay and Big Bay. Very pleasant on a wind free day. Little Bay is better serviced with toilets and showers and is very safe for young kids. Big Bay on a windy day is Windsurfer paradise – Phone Grant Ross on 082 449 9819 for Windsurfer hire.

TABLEVIEW: A beautiful long beach, the sea can be rough and the wind can really blow. Popular kiting beach – particularly power kites. Power boats can launch from the Blouberg end of the beach. Most facilities are at the Cape Town end.

CLIFTON: 4 small beaches – excellent out of season – crowded in season. Well protected from SE wind. Parking is impossible and the walk up the steps from Clifton 1, 2 & 3 is tough at the end of the day. One toilet on 4th beach, often locked. Vendors sell cool drinks and ice cream. Restaurant in the car park above 4th beach. Beach chairs for hire. Good body compulsory. Club Med the sunset place to be seen.

CAMPS BAY: The place to go after you are too old for Clifton. Family beach, but with a dangerous beach break and rapid drop off just beyond the water line – caution for kids. Windy in SEaster. There is a tidal pool near the braai area, but very crowded. Café society at various venues along the beach road. Good facilities. Volley Ball venue.

SANDY BAY: Lovely beach and granite outcrops. Nudist but also Gay pick-up. No facilities at all. Parking 20 mins walk from the beach.

HOUT BAY: Exposed to SE wind, very safe beach. Lots of dogs! Toilets, shops and eateries at Chapman’s Peak end. Mariners Wharf at the other end. Toilets in the harbour.

NOORDHOEK: Wonderful beach for sunset walks. Many dogs. Very primitive toilets at car park end. Wreck of Kakapo. Beach rides from Sleepy Hollow. Ph 789 2341. Great surfing at Kommetjie end.

BOULDERS: Tiny beach just beyond the Penguins. A jumble of granite boulders on the beach. They form excellent wind breaks and lagoons. Warm water, safe for kids, good for snorkelling. Entry fee R5 and R10.

FISH HOEK: Family beach, safe swimming, well protected by Lifesavers. Can get out of the wind in the southern corner. Concrete pathway across the rocks. Good facilities. R6 parking fee. Surf and boogie boards kept apart from swimmers.

MUIZENBERG: Safe swimming, windy but protection offered by beach huts and promenade. Full playground for kids with swimming pool. Bumper boats, putt put, fun fair, camel rides, super tube. 5 star toilets and change rooms. Patrolled by beach police. Nice to walk to St James along the walkway.

STRAND: Very flat, safe beach, great for kids, often surprisingly wind free. Lifesavers at Cape Town end. Popular with up-country visitors. Good facilities but far apart. Deck chair and umbrella hire. Indoor pool at the Pavilion. Shops along the beach road.

GORDON’S BAY: 2 beaches – Bikini is small and wind protected. The other is often very windy. The Harbour Island development has brought new life to Gordon’s Bay with shops and restaurants.

Hiking up Table Mountain

Hiking on Table Mountain is an enormously rewarding experience but it is a mountain that needs to be treated with caution. Although it is “only” 1000 metres (3500 ft) high, it is demanding. The top of the mountain is divided into 2 sections – the Front Table (the characteristic Table Mountain n) and the Back Table – 200 metres lower and extending all the way to Hout Bay. There is a useful map of the mountain that indicates the main routes – it is obtainable from CNA and Kirstenbosch.
¨ To walk up and down will take between 4 and 8 hours depending on your fitness. To walk
up and to come down by Cable Care will take 3 to 6 hours. Wear appropriate shoes.
¨ Although it is flat on top it is completely surrounded by cliffs – to get off the path is
dangerous.
¨ The weather at any time of the year can change within 30 mins from clear, sunny skies to
thick cloud and bitter cold so always take warm clothing.
¨ There are only 4 accessible routes where ropes or a Guide are not needed.
¨ Signage on the mountain is almost non-existent – keep to the main paths and take a map.
During summer there is no water, so take your own.

PLATTEKLIP GORGE: Up the front face of the mountain starting at the first stream that crosses the road past the lower Cable Station. The route ends at the top of the “notch” on the Front Face. This is the quickest route up (2 – 3 hours). The path is clear and has been well built up. It just requires a long hard slog to get to the top. At the top turn right for the Cable Station, and left for Maclears Beacon.

SKELETON GORGE: Up the back of the mountain starting at Kirstenbosch and ending at Maclears Beacon. A very attractive way up, along a very well maintained path (Smuts Track – after General Smuts, the war-time leader of South Africa.) The first part of the route is through indigenous forest, then rock-hopping up a stream and then a beautiful open walk from the Back Table to the Front Table. The route up to Maclears Beacon will take between 4 and 5 hours. There is then a spectacular walk along the front face of the mountain to the top Cable Station – this will take an additional 2 hours.

KASTEELSPOORT: The only acceptable route up the Camps Bay side of the mountain. Starts at the traffic circle at Kloof Nek and follows the Pipe Track (so called because of the water pipeline) until you reach the second clearly defined route up the mountain. It is signposted. It takes you up to the Pump station at the reservoirs on the Back Table. The rest of the route is the same as the Constantia Nek route. The whole route takes between 5 and 6 hours.

ACROSS THE TABLE: An easy walk. Take the Cable Car to the top, then follow the path away from the top Cable Station. It will take you through a small valley (the top of the Platteklip route) and onto the Eastern Table. Follow the signs to Maclears Beacon. Below the beacon is a plaque to Jan Smuts and leading away from the plaque is a clear path. It traverses across the front edge of the Mountain with spectacular views over the city. The path eventually comes back to the top of the Platteklip route.

WALKS ELSEWHERE N THE TABLE MOUNTAIN CHAIN

LION’S HEAD: A there-and-back route that starts approximately 1 km from the Kloof Nek circle on the Signal Hill Road. There is a stand of Pines on the right side of the road. Park there and follow the obvious jeep track opposite the trees. The route is a 360 degree rotation around the lower slopes of Lion'’ Head. There are 2 rock bands that one has to get through to reach the top. To assist getting through them there are 2 sets of chains that one can use to pull oneself up. Alternatively, there is a path on the south corner that one can take to avoid the chains.

DEVILS PEAK: A there-and-back route that starts on the road that runs past the lower Cable Station. Follow the road until you reach the corner beneath the saddle between Devils Peak and Table Mountain. There is a clear, zigzag path that leads up to the saddle. From there, there are two parallel paths that lead to the summit of Devils Peak.

CONTOUR PATH: An easy walk that starts at Constantia Nek and leads the whole way around Devils Peak and onto Kloof Nek. There are about a dozen paths leading down from the Contour Path to different parts of Kirstenbosch, Newlands Forest and Rhodes Memorial. Where you start and how far you go depends on how long you want to keep walking but getting back can be a problem, so a there-and-back route is best.

SILVERMINE NATURE RESERVE: There are two easy but spectacular routes in the reserve, on either side of Ou Kaapse Weg. The flowers are always good and the views are excellent.
1) Muizenberg Mountain : going from Constantia to Sun Valley turn off left into the pines just after the top of the pass. There is a jeep track leading to the top of the range with small foot paths leading off it. Provided the weather holds this is a good area to ramble – just keep one eye on the jeep track to get you back.
2) Constantiaberg : going from Constantia to Sun Valley turn off right into the reserve at the top of the pass. Follow the tar road to the reservoir where you can park. From there follow the paths toward the Constantiaberg – the peak with the antenna. By bearing right you can get up to the Elephant’s Eye and by bearing left you get to the top of the cliffs looking down onto Hout Bay – a spectacular sight.

CAPE POINT NATURE RESERVE: There are trails all around the shoreline in the reserve. The ones on the Atlantic side are spectacular in bad weather – an ideal place to walk if you’ve had enough of the City. Take along a book that described the flowers and life on the seashore – you will be well rewarded.

CHAPMAN’S PEAK: Probably the most spectacular view in the Peninsula. The path starts at the last bend before the top viewpoint on the Hout Bay side of Chapman’s Peak Drive. The path bears right as you climb, passes through a beautiful stand of Protea bushes and ends after about an hour on Chapman’s Peak. Views into Hout Bay, Noordhoek, Cape Point, Constantiaberg and the back of Table Mountain. Can be closed because of rockfalls in rainy weather. Ph 790 1520 to check.

Day Excursions

TOUR OF THE WINELANDS:
Don’t try to get to Paarl, Franschhoek and Stellenbosch all in one day – choose 3 estates. The large estates get crowded – smaller estates are excellent for the personal touch.

TOUR OF THE CAPE PENINSULA:
If you have time, do the trip in 2 days. Visit Rhodes Memorial – have
tea at the tearoom, then Kirstenbosch and a couple of hours looking at the flowers, lying on the lawns and visiting the Conservatory. Next, Groot Constantia for a wine tasting and visit to the Manor House. Then a drive over Constantia Nek to Hout Bay for a Seal Island trip.
On the 2nd day, spend some time exploring Simonstown, visit the Penguins, perhaps a swim at Boulders, then go into the Nature Reserve and explore some of the lesser known covers. Lunch at Scarborough and then over Chapman’s Peak to Hout Bay.

A BIRD WATCHER’S GUIDE TO THE CAPE:
Particularly good spots are Rondevlei, Rietvlei, Kirstenbosch and West Coast National Park. Kirstenbosch and Rondevlei will give you a good variety.

THE RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY OF THE CAPE:
Visit the Bo Kaap Mosque, St George’s Cathedral, St Mary’s, The Groote Kerk, the Lutheran Church and the Gardens Synagogue – check opening times. St George’s Cathedral has some of the most beautiful stained glass in the world.

EXPLORING THE CAPE FLORAL KINGDOM:
Kirstenbosch, Cape Point, Helderberg, Harold Porter and Fern Kloof Nature reserves have superb natural displays. Muizenberg mountain is beautiful.

EXPLORING THE PENINSULA’S SEA SHORE:
The Atlantic shoreline is particularly rich in Marine life. The rock pools off Sea Point, Oudekraal, Kommetjie and the whole of the Cape Point Nature reserve shoreline are full of different plants and animals. Get a booklet on the shorelife – available from any bookstore. The fusion of the Malmesbury Slate and Granite in front of the President Hotel is a geologist’s dream.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF NELSON MANDELA:
A trip to Robben Island (departing from the Waterfront at 09h00, 10h00, 11h00, 12h00 and 14h00). Tour of Parliament (by appointment Ph 403 2537).

THE PUBS OF CAPE TOWN:
Provided someone sober is driving, a Pub tour of the Peninsula is a good way to meet the locals. Try this route, the Perseverance (Town), Foresters (Newlands), Pedlars (Constantia), Brass Bell (Kalk Bay), Red Herring (Noordhoek), Dirty Dicks (Hout Bay), La Med (Clifton).

A DAY IN HERMANUS:
From July to October the Whales come to visit – walk along the cliffs between the old and new harbours to see them best. Fernkloof Nature reserve has an amazing variety of wild flowers. Rotary Drive is a spectacular route to Hamilton Russell Wine Estate for superb Pinot Noir.

EXPLORING THE WEST COAST:
The beaches of Blouberg, Melkbos are beautiful and uncrowded. The Langebaan Lagoon wetlands are renowned for their birdlife and wildflowers in September.

MILITARY HISTORY IN CAPE TOWN:
Include the Castle, Ysterplaat, The Maritime Museum at the Waterfront, the Green Point Battery, the Noon Day gun, the gun emplacements on Table Mountain Road, Simonstown Museum and Naval Dockyard and the East Fort at Hout Bay.

TABLE MOUNTAIN:
Walk along the Contour Path from Newlands to Rhodes Memorial, or along the Pipe track from Kloof Nek above Camps Bay or across the top from the Cable Station to Maclears Beacon. All easy – take water & a map – even better – go with a guide. (NB see P12)

KIDS MEETING ANIMALS:
Take exit 47 off the N1 (R44). All within 3 or 4 kilometres there is the Tygerberg Zoo, Die Vonds Snake Centre, Drakenstein Lion Park, Heen en Weer Ostrich Farm, Butterfly World, Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm and Wiesenhof Game Park.

AN EYE OPENING EXPERIENCE OF UBUNTU
Ubuntu refers to the sense of community, hospitality, friendship and belonging that one experiences in black African society. Most Visitors experience 1 side of Cape Town – the scenic “European” side but miss the vibrant, human “African” side. Unjustly, a visit to the Townships is said to be dangerous (more often said by people who have been into the Townships).

A TOWNSHIP TOUR allows one to experience the effects of 300 years of discrimination. Start in the Bo Kaap and District 6 then go into Langa, Gugulethu, Nyanga, Khayelitsha. Experience the strong community drive to improve the lot of the people through education, recreation and trading despite the appalling living conditions. The end result is a message of hope for the further of SA.

It is also a chance to meet, and talk with a hugely friendly people, to experience a lifestyle and culture totally different to one’s own and a change to meet craftspeople, herbalists, micro entrepreneurs, shebeen owners, housewives and children.

It is in the Townships that you can experience the history of Apartheid. And it is that legacy that could benefit from your visit. There are a number of Tour Operators who specialise in tours t the Townships – they are able to provide background and insights that make a Township as much a part of visiting Cape Town as a trip up Table Mountain. (P29 for specialist Operators & P 30 for local Tourism Bureau.)

Cape Town Crafts

Every visitor to the city should want to take a piece of it home with them. The Mountain isn't going anywhere, but there’s nothing stopping you from getting something just as unique...
Cape Town’s Craft markets reflect the many cultural influences on this city, selling a wide selection of food, clothing, arts and curios from all over the continent. Wire Art, the sculpting and crafting of works of art using wire, beads, tin cans and other recycled goods as a medium, is perhaps more than any other art form, one that can lay claim to being truly and uniquely South African. Origionally born out of poverty and lack of resources, wire art is today a thiving and legitimate artform, with many ’wiremasters’ supporting their families by selling their creations on the street corners, at craft markets, in shops and selected art galleries. Products range from CD stands, keyrings, picture frames, baskets, vases, wine racks and egg cups to beaded sculptures and working wire radios - all functional as well as aesthetically appealing. Two Cape Town Organisations have recognized the commercial value of the artform while at the same time the need to ensure that the potential benefits are shared amongst those who deserve and need them most. Streetwires and African Allsorts are commited to tackling the problems of umemployment and both believe in community upliftment and individual empowerment. By providing people with skills, support and raw materials, they ensure not only employment, but a sense of purpose and means of creative expression as well. Streetwires was started in 2000 with 2 artists. Today over 100 formerly unemployed men and women now work for them. They currently export wirework to 15 countries and supply large retailers and corporations. Africa Allsorts was established with similar aims and provide a platform for talented, creative artisans and introduce fresh, innovative ideas to the artform. Both plan have big plans for the future and aim to continue empowering people in underprivileged areas. Be sure to take home something that is unique to South Africa and Cape Town!
For more info, check www.streetwires.co.za and www.africanallsorts.co.za

Outdoor Adventures

The tip of the Peninsula has more outdoor stuff than the Discovery Channel
The South Peninsula is affordable and easily accessible for novice adventure seekers or hard ore adrenalin addicts. So get on your bike, wriggle into a wetsuit or lace up your hiking boots. The Cape Point Route spans two coastlines wrapped around a National Park and runs from Hout Bay along the Atlantic coastline to Cape Point itself, then back along the False Bay coastline to Muizenburg.
With cycle fever in the Cape, hop on a bike and do it with wheels! Road or mountain bike, you can use the entire Cape Point Route with the wind in your hair, mountains on one side and sea on the other. For visitors, bike hire is available at Noordhoek Farm Village (Tel: 021 789 2654) at the southern end of Chapman’s Peak Drive. Grab some refreshments for the trip from the farmstall or come back afterwards for some pub and grub.
For the runners, if you prefer to stay off the tar there are dozens of run trails, like the Vlakkenberg route to Hout Bay which is one of the most challenging yet rewarding routes with fantastic views.
This part of the Cape is also perfect for waterbabies...Scuba dive into the depths and discover huge kelp forests, reefs and ghostly shipwrecks (Pisces Divers tel: 021 782 7205)
Or for the penguin viewing experience with a difference head to Simon’s Town waterfront and sea kayak south of the harbour to Boulders Beach to see the penguins from the water. Seals will do a slow paddle alongside and the birdlife is astounding. You don't have to be a professional or even experienced - the kayaks are stable and safe (Sea Kayaks Simons Town tel: 021 501 8930)
For land lovers, hiking is one of the most popular ways to get the best views with no crowds. Hot spots for hiking are Silvermine Nature Reserve, Chapman’s Peak Drive, Cape Point Nature Reserve, Kalk Bay Caves or Elsies Peak.
So there’s no reason not to get out there…. It’s as easy as falling of a couch! For more information about activities in the area, see www.capepointroute.co.za