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Outdoor Active Cape Town
Four day mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, sailing, and scuba diving trip.
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A four day trip that actively explores some of Cape Town's outdoor opportunities. Activities include mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, sailing, and scuba diving. By taking a little bit more time to enjoy the area slowly, you'll start to get a better sense of what the city has to offer.
 Day Note
The full day will only work on a Wednesday in summer so change the order of the plan if possible!! Grab a quick pastry from Le Bonjour Patisserie, and some picnic lunch things from Spar or Checkers on Kloof St before heading up the mountain. Make sure to bring plenty of water (at least 3 liters each, more on a hot day) and check out the weather forecast. If its cloudy on the mountain, change the order of your days- the mountain can be very unforgiving and there are rescues every week- dont make yourself one. Get a proper map of the mountain from any bookshop before heading up. There are plenty of routes up the mountain, maybe select one heading up the Atlantic Seaboard side then come down the front Table. Remember to ask locals about any recent safety issues regarding the mountain. Take the time to enjoy a few trails on the mountain away from the crowds, you can easily spend days on it and not see all it has to offer. Head down in time to get to the Yacht Club in time for their Weds evening sunset sails. Put your name on the board in front or simply walk the docks looking for someone that needs a hand (even if youre not experienced you still sail). After the sail, enjoy some drinks with the locals at the Yacht Club then head to Biesmiellah for lovely service and tasty Cape Malay food, the Butter Chicken is delicious! Remember that, as a Muslim restaurant, no alcohol is allowed here. Afterwards, go for a chill night at Cafe Vespa.
Cafe Vespa is the only place in Western Cape where you can rent a vespa. However, riding it is not the only activity you can indulge in. This is also a great place to unwind at after a grueling day of work. Treat yourself to the innovative Tapas menu, soak in the magnificent mountain top view or just relax with some cocktails. If you've come to recharge your jangled nerves, Café Vespa is your ride to rejuvenation.
Established in 1990, the Backpack is Cape Town's original backpackers lodge. It is a clean, spacious and well-organised hostel. There is a swimming pool, satellite TV, laundry facilities, a kitchen and a great bar area. This hostel is centrally located in Tamboerskloof, on the cusp of the City Centre - with all its distractions. Within the Backpack you'll find the Africa Travel Centre, your one-stop shop to making travel bookings for Cape Town and the entire continent.
Situated in the heart of the Bo Kaap and family owned and operated, this Cape Malay restaurant has no pretentions, just good food and warm service. Local specialtys are served on plastic covered tables with 80's-style placemats and gold framed pictures on the wall. Remember, this is a real Cape Malay restaurant- no alcohol is to be consumed or bought on premesis.
Standing guard over Cape Town, Table Mountain defines the city. For early seafarers, the Mountain signified arrival at this port of call. For the original inhabitants of the area, the Mountain was the source of myth and intrigue. For modern day Cape Tonians, Table Mountain is the heart of daily life. At 1086 meters and home to 1400 species of flora, Table Mountain is a spectacular nature reserve surrounded by a city. With hundreds of routes to ascend, the Mountain can keep an avid hiker and climber busy for years.
Situated in the Table Bay Harbour, and offering moorage facilities to a variety of small craft (yachts and motor launches) lies Cape Town's premier harbour. The clubhouse overlooks the moorage and has a bar and a restaurant facility for members. This venue is often used for functions such as weddings, parties, etc. In 1997, the club introduced a Sailing Academy for the previously disadvantaged groups in South Africa. Their aim is to develop the sailing and seamanship skills of different sectors of the Cape's society. Every Sa and Su between Oct-May, classes are offered to novice sailors. Tuition is free and students do not have to be club members to participate.
Backpack (The)
Day Note
Now that enough time has passed from your flight into Cape Town, you can go diving! Contact Scuba Shack beforehand to make sure a boat is heading out or someone can take you on a shore dive. If they cant, they will know someone available. Make sure you bring your scuba certification card!! They will also let you know whether there is a better day for diving (visibility depends on what the weather is doing, Cape Town's diving is affected by the South Easter and the Northwesterly winds/weather). Remember, Cape Town water is COLD, this is not diving in the tropics. Theres great coral, cow sharks, kelp forests, wrecks.
On your way to the dives, stop in at Olympia to grab some lunch goodies. After the dives, spend some time checking out the penguins at Boulders. Cruise on down to Kalk Bay, chill on the beach, walk around the town or harbour, then work your way to Brass Bell for a whole range of possibilities. Depending on what youre in the mood for, choose the more upscale upstairs dining, the bar/club outdoors area (often with live music), or the more chill open air outdoor seating area. You will have views of surfers, in fall, whales, and a good range of food to choose from.
Standing at just below a foot tall, the diminutive African penguins waddling onto shore, jumping into the sea or just sunbathing are quite a sight to see. Along the southern Cape Peninsula, just past Simonstown, there are several turnoffs for the Boulders Beach area. The second turnoff has the fewest tour buses and leads to a walkway above penguin nesting areas, to a beach where one can swim with penguins, or to another more secluded beach with fewer penguins but nice sheltered swimming areas and boulders.
Just across from the Kalk Bay Harbour is this popular local hangout offering everything from breakfast, pastries, and cakes to tasty dinner entrees. Expect a wait, especially on weekends as the whole community drops in. Around the corner the bakery offers fresh breads, spreads, and pastries.
Brass Bell
Cuisine: British & Irish, Central European
Three restaurants in one, this popular local restaurant has an upscale establishmet upstairs with views across the bay, a more low key patio dining area with clear barriers to protect guests from winds and waves, and an even more low key bar/pizza area. Food is good, the setting is stunning, and the locals are friendly. Enjoy whale watching while you have a leisurely lunch!
Come and experience the wonders of diving in the waters of False Bay and Hout Bay with the experienced and fully trained staff of Scuba Shack. Situated approximately 50 kilometres from Cape Town, it is close to the majestic naval town of Simon's Town. While making your way to Scuba Shack you will be able to view the oceans you are about to enter, both the cold Atlantic and the warmer Indian oceans. These oceans are where you will be able to experience the thrill of wreck diving two naval frigates (warships) in Smitswinkel Bay or simply glide with the fish in the colder Atlantic waters. The choice is yours to book the time of your life. Scuba Shack offers dive charters (night dives, wreck dives and day dives), PADI dive courses, equipment hire and air fills.
Scuba Shack
Day Note
Start your day off hiring a mountain bike from Bowman's Cycles or Downhill Adventures in town. Hire it for 2 days to cover your last day in Cape Town as well. Head on down to Cape Point, (pick an alternate route to the one you drove to Simonstown yesterday), pick up a map from the entrance to the park, and decide where you want to cycle. Taking the time out to enjoy the park a bit more slowly and quietly is definitely worth it. Its probably worth bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying it at an out of the way spot (as opposed to the restaurant at the actual point). Save some time to enjoy the drive back to town along the Atlantic Coast). Grab a snack in Noordhoek if you feel like it and make a quick trip to the beach if there's time or if you want to check out the surf. Back in town, head up Lions Head for a 360 degree view of the city, its a quicker walk than Table Mountain but really stunning. Drop back into the City Bowl for a great dinner and, if you feel up to it, the clubs of Long Street.
The charming character of this small village of white cottages set amongst large oak trees makes it an ideal venue for a relaxing afternoon. Soak up the sun while enjoying a leisurely lunch at the Enchanting Wood restaurant, housed in the historical Welteverden Cottage, or have a drink at the fully licensed Nag's Head Stable pub.
The farm stall also serves light meals and has a delicious range of fresh farm produce and organically grown vegetables for sale. There is a gallery displaying the work of many local artists, a jeweller and a range of quality craft shops selling African handicrafts, wooden furniture, beautiful handmade glassware and ethnic clothing. The garden has a play area for children.
One of the most beautiful drives in the world, Cape Town’s Chapmans Peak Drive is a spectacular 10 km coastal drive linking Noordhoek to Hout Bay. In spring (Sept-November) Southern Right Whales can be spotted in Hout Bay. Year round there are stunning views from numerous viewpoints and picnic spots. A trail to Chapman’s Peak itself starts just before the highest viewpoint on Chapman’s Peak Drive. If the road is closed or if one only wants to access the portion of the road closer to Hout Bay, a complimentary day pass can be acquired from the toll booth.
Based at the southern end of Chapman's Peak Drive, Noodhoek beach is well known to locals, horseriders, kite flyers, and the like. The longest of any of the Atlantic Seaboard beaches, Noordhoek offers great sunset views and hours of walking. Watch out for windy days though, the beach is exposed and the sand can whip up.
More varieties of burgers than you could ever hope for- twists on the old fashioned meat patty, phenomenal seafood burgers and around ten different vegetarian burgers (and were not talking the old soymince patty) to choose from. Fantastic milkshakes as well from chunky banana peanut butter to avocado and lime. Very popular bar and club upstairs in a converted city loft with private nooks, rooftop access, and a comfortable lounge area.
Guarding the western edge of Cape Town, Lion’s Head offers hiking with views over the Atlantic Seaboard, Robben Island, the Cape Town city bowl, and Table Mountain. For those who prefer having their feet off solid ground, tour companies operate tandem paragliding from Lions Head’s slopes to the Atlantic coast. Locals can be found hiking Lions Head daily but full moon evening is often popular for sunset drinks on the summit.
The southern tip of the Cape Peninsula is allocated to the Cape Point Nature Reserve. The most famous feature within the reserve is the actual point itself along with the lighthouses that mark its location for sailors. However, at 78 square kilometers and stretching along 40 kilometers of coastline, the rest of the Cape Point Nature Reserve definitely deserves more thorough exploration by visitors. In addition to unique flora, the Reserve is home to numerous species of antelope, ostriches, tortoises, and baboons.
Noordhoek Beach
Day Note
If singletrack riding is your thing, you'll be pretty happy in Tokai. Remember to pay at the entrance to the picnic area (before you get to the mountain biking area) and be sure to get the map. If you happen to ride on a Saturday, be sure to head over to the Porter Estate Market before 1 to get some tasty food. If its not a Saturday, pop into Steenberg Village and grab some picnic lunch stuff from the Woolies or Pick n Pay. Head on up to Silvermine for some sport climbing. If you didnt bring your own gear or dont have a climbing parter, call in at City Rock and see if they know of people looking for partners.
Hidden local italian treasure- some of the best Italian food in town and far from the mainstream crowds. Super thin based pizzas, divine pastas and salads served in an old victorian house.
A fantastic network of jeep track and twisting singletrack wind around the mountain within the Tokai forest plantation. There are maps and permits (R10) available at the picnic area kiosk. Routes can extend from a few kilometers on up, depending on time, skill, and fitness. Bikes can be rented from Bowmans Cycles in Cape Town.
In our modern hurly burly world (although this quite possibly excludes Cape Town), any excuse to beat the hell out of a drum must be accepted with open arms. This popular venue offers regular drumming and drum circles, including a women's drum circle (women only before 10:30p) on Monday evenings. So drop that civil attitude and get your tribal passion going. Catch live bands and other acts over the weekends. The food is simple - cakes, muffins and snacks are served.
Overlooking the Cape Flats, False Bay, and Noordhoek, the two sections of Silvermine offer hiking, mountain biking (in one section only), rock climbing, and bouldering. Part of the Table Mountain National Park, Silvermine feels like it should be hours from any city yet is in the middle of it all.
Drum Café
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