Mountain biking

Mountain Biking is a great way to experience Cape Town. Take an easy trip through the Cape Point Nature Reserve or hurtle down a steep mountain pass.

Kloofing at Kamikaze Canyon

Enjoy a great day of hiking, kloofing and a 65m abseil through Thunder Falls. A leisurely walk also takes you to the rock pool where you can kloof from heights of three to 23m.

Table Mountain National Park

The Table Mountain National Park encompasses the Table Mountain Chain, which stretches from Signal Hill in the north to Cape Point in the south and the seas and coastline of the peninsula.

At Cape Point you will find over 250 species of birds and animals including buck, baboons, and the dassie or rock hyrax, a small rodent-like mammal that is the closest relative of the elephant. The park is perfect for walking, hiking or swimming at one of the secluded beaches.

Table Mountain National Park

* Website: www.tmnp.co.za
* Tel: 021 701 8692

Rondevlei Nature Reserve

Established in 1952, and located in the False Bay area, this wetland reserve centres on a large vlei, or lake, surrounded by coastal dunes. The six bird hides from which white pelicans, African spoonbills, greater flamingoes and Caspian tern can be seen will liven up the visit of any budding ornithologist. Some 230 different species of birds have been sighted at Rondevlei.
Children will enjoy the freshwater aquarium and snake house and the resident porcupines. Grysbok, Cape clawless otter, Cape grey mongoose and a family of hippo can also be seen.

Rondevlei Nature Reserve

* Website: www.rondevlei.co.za
* Address: Fisherman's Walk, Zeekoevlei
* Tel: 021 706 2404

Game watching

Because of the fantastic conservation programmes in the waters around the Cape, whale watching has blossomed in recent years and there are any numbers of operators who organise whale-watching tours. About an hour out of Cape Town, Hermanus is a great spot to whale watch from the walking route along the cliff tops, and this quaint town hosts an annual Whale Festival. False Bay, too, is good. The winter months are the best time for the whales.

There are countless opportunities for the budding ornithologist. For easy access and safety, the sanctuary at Rondvlei, adjacent to Zeekoevlei, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are great sights to see some incredible birds.

In Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve you are bound to catch a glimpse of the endangered African black oystercatcher. While the jackass penguin colony at Boulders Beach beyond Simon's Town is famous for being the only continental colony of penguins in the world.

Helderberg Nature Reserve
Website: www.helderbergnaturereserve.co.za
Tel: 021 851 6982