South Africa Guide
Cape Town
Outdoor activities and sport
1 Cricket 61 Campground Rd, Newlands 
021 657 2003 This is keenly followed by a wide range of Capetonians. The city's cricketing heart is at Newlands Cricket Ground (also known after its sponsors as Sahara Park). One of the most beautiful grounds in the world, Newlands nestles beneath venerable oaks and the elegant profile of Devil's Peak, and plays host to provincial, test and one-day international matches.
2 Rugby The Western Cape is one of the world's rugby heartlands, and the game is followed religiously here. Provincial, international and Super 12 contests are fought on the hallowed turf of Newlands Rugby Stadium, Boundary Rd, Newlands ( 021 659 4600).
3 Soccer Though soccer matches aren't as well attended as cricket or rugby, Cape Town soccer is burgeoning with talent and is likely to get a huge boost now that South Africa is hosting the 2010 World Cup. The dusty streets of the Cape Flats have produced superb young footballers such as Benni McCarthy (Porto, Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo) and Quinton Fortune (Atletico Madrid, Manchester United). The most ambitious and professional club in the city is Ajax (pronounced "I-axe") Cape Town (www.ajaxct.com), jointly owned by its Amsterdam namesake. The most exciting games to attend are those between a local outfit and one of the Soweto glamour teams, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs. Matches take place at Green Point Stadium, off Beach Rd; Athlone Stadium, off Klipfontein Rd, Athlone; and Newlands Rugby Stadium.
4 Abseiling 021 424 4760 You can abseil off Table Mountain with Abseil Africa for around R395 for a half-day trip (excluding cable-car fee). They also do full-day trips (minimum group of 4) that include kloofing, hiking, abseiling, breakfast, lunch and a light supper, for R595, or a summit walk on Table Mountain for R120, which you can combine with abseiling for R495.
5 Bird-watching The peninsula's varied habitats attract nearly four hundred different species of birds. Good places for bird-watching include Lion's Head, Kirstenbosch Gardens and the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, as well as at Kommetjie and Hout Bay; you can find out about knowledgeable guides through the Cape Bird Club (t021 559 0726). For a more institutionalized experience, try the World of Birds in Hout Bay.
6 Cycling Cycling is popular all over the peninsula, and is a great way to take in the scenery. For information about the Cape Argus Pick ‘n Pay Cycle Tour, the largest individually timed bike race in the world, contact Pedal Power Associates ( 021 689 8420, 
www.cycletour.co.za ), which also organizes fun rides from Sept to May.
7 Golf The Milnerton golf course, Bridge Rd, Milnerton ( 021 552 1047), is tucked in between a lagoon and Table Bay, and boasts classic views of Table Mountain. Other popular local courses are at Rondebosch Golf Club, Klipfontein Rd, Rondebosch ( 021 689 4176), and Westlake Golf Club, Westlake Ave, Lakeside ( 021 788 2020). Prices are around R190/400 for 9/18 holes; clubs can be rented for R150 and caddy fees are R130. Booking is essential.
8 Horse Trail Safaris Indicator Lodge, Skaapskraal Rd, Ottery (east of Wynberg across the M5 021 703 4396 Riding through the dunes to Strandfontein and the False Bay coast as well as overnight trips. Around R300 for 1hr 30min.
9 Sleepy Hollow Horse Riding Sleepy Hollow Lane, Noordhoek 021 789 2341 Horseriding trips that cover the spectacular Noordhoek Beach. Around R300 for 1hr 30min.
10 Real Cape Adventures 021 790 5611 or 082 556 2520 www.seakayak.co.za Company offers a range of half- or full-day sea-kayaking packages that include trips around Cape Point, to the penguin colony at Boulders Beach and around Hout Bay. The company organizes trips of several days around the peninsula, on which you spend nights at guesthouses, and longer safaris all over South Africa and even further north. The cheapest trip costs R200 per person for two hours' kayaking.
11 Kite Shop At the Waterfront, Shop 110, Ground Floor, Victoria Wharf 021 421 6231
Kites of all shapes, colours and sizes.
12 Downhill Adventures Downhill Adventures is the pioneer of this latest adventure sport. Boards, boots and bindings are provided, as well as expert instruction for beginners. Half-day (R450) and full-day (R595) trips take you to the finest slopes in the area.
13 Scuba diving While the Cape waters are cold, they're good for seeing wrecks, reefs and magnificent kelp forests. False Bay is invariably warmer than the Atlantic seaboard and thus preferred in winter. Short dives cost R200 from the shore, up to around R300 from a boat; expect to pay R400 to rent all the gear. An internationally recognized PADI open-water diving qualification can be completed for around R2500. To arrange scuba-diving courses and equipment rental, contact Orca Industries, corner Herschel and Bowwood rds, Claremont ( 021 671 9673); or the Scuba Shack, Shop 3, Glencairn Shopping Centre, Glencairn ( 021 782 6279).
14 Skydive Cape Town 082 800 6290 www.skydivecapetown.za.net The ultimate way to see Table Mountain and Robben Island is from a tandem jump 3000m up. Price: R1250
15 Surfing Top surfing spots include Big Bay at Bloubergstrand (competitions are held here every summer), Llandudno, Muizenberg, Kalk Bay and Long Beach near Kommetjie and Noordhoek. For information on competitions contact Surfing South Africa ( 021 674 2972), or check out www.wavescape.co.za , the best place on the Web for everything you want to know about surfing in SA, including what the waves are up to. To learn to surf, contact Downhill Adventures, corner of Kloof and Orange streets ( 021 422 0388, www.downhilladventures.co.za ).
16 Swimming In the summer there are surf lifesaver patrols on duty at Milnerton, Camps Bay, Llandudno, Muizenberg and Fish Hoek beaches. For pools, try Long Street Baths, Long St ( 021 400 3302; daily 7am–7pm), Cape Town's only public heated indoor pool; or Newlands Swimming Pool, corner of Main and San Souci rds, Newlands ( 021 674 4197; daily: April– Sept 9am–5pm; Oct– March 7am–6.30pm; R12.50, children R6.80), an Olympic-sized chlorinated pool, which isn't heated (the water temperature drops to an unappealing 15°C in winter). The excellent Sea Point Swimming Pool at Beach Rd, Sea Point ( 021 434 3341; adults R12.50, children R6.80), is an Olympic-sized chlorinated seawater pool.
17 Walking The best places for gentle strolls are Newlands Forest, up from Rhodes Memorial, and the beaches. For longer walks, head for anywhere on Table Mountain, Tokai Forest, Silvermine Nature Reserve or Cape Point Nature Reserve. High Adventure does guided hikes up Table Mountain, geared to your level of fitness and with experienced guides (half day R350, full day R500 including a packed lunch). If you want to go further afield, they'll arrange multi-day trips where you can opt to have your bags carried or have food prepared for you.
18 Windsurfing While most Capetonians moan about the howling southeaster in summer, it's handy if you're into windsurfing; not much happens in the winter, as the winds just aren't as good. Langebaan, a 75min drive north of town, is one of the best spots. For further help, contact Cape Sport Centre, Langebaan ( 022 772 1114, www.capesport.co.za ), which also does kitesurfing. Prices for windsurfing start at R295 for 2hr for rigs, while instruction for beginners starts at R250; a 10hr kitesurfing package costs R1850 including gear and instruction. Otherwise, the place to go in Cape Town is Bloubergstrand. Blouberg Windsurf and Leisure ( 021 554 1663 or 082 420 2990, 
blouwind@mweb.co.za) rents equipment, cars with racks and has long-term accommodation at Bloubergstrand, as well as being able to offer general advice to its clients, such as information on which airlines offer free carriage of windsurfing equipment.