101 Activities in Cape Town for under R101

Picnic on the lawns or enjoy high tea at their Restaurant. Explore the Kirstenbosch Gardens with its indigenous trees, plants and ferns whilst taking in the magnificent mountain views. If you are in Cape Town on a Summer Sunday evening you can join the rest of Cape Town for one of the popular open-air concerts. Concerts last about an hour - very sociable vibe. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket!

LaserQuest is the world's most popular and exciting brand of Laser tag game. Whether you're 7 or 77 you'll love the adrenaline-pumping exhilaration of stalking your opponents and unleashing a volley of laser fire in the battlezone of the 21st century.

Just Nuisance was the only dog ever to be officially enlisted in the Royal Navy. He was a Great Dane who from 1939-44 served at HMS Afrikander, a Royal Navy shore establishment in Simon's Town. He died in 1944 and was buried with full military honours. You can read the full story about Just Nuisance at Time Magazine.

Visit the Simons Town Museum where the famous mascot is appropriately remembered in an exhibition of his exploits. In the collection you can view all Just Nuisances' official papers, his collar and many photographs. A special display and a slide show giving the story of this famous dog is shown daily to children and tourists from all over the world.

Have a night out and go watch one of the latest movie releases on circuit. With tickets and pop corn, you should still have change over from your R101.00. There are a number of cinemas around Cape Town including Ster Kinekor, Nu Metro and The Labia.

The Pumphouse at the V&A Waterfront now hosts daily interactive drumming sessions in conjunction with the internationally renowned Drum Café. Each person is provided with a traditional African drum and a team of master facilitators and musicians teach participants how to play and how to listen to one another. We have astounded audiences by transforming groups into percussive orchestras and within 15 minutes, the group will be making music together. Drum Cafe have access to the richest talent in South Africa and the artistic expertise of the hosts will no doubt make you have an experience to remember. Sessions on Mondays to Sundays at 15h00 and at 18h00.

Find races all around Cape Town that tickle your fancy. Whether it be cycling, running, triathlon, swimming or canoeing, Cape Town will have a range of races and fun events that you can take part in.

Tygerberg Zoo is Cape Town’s only zoo. With 24 hectares of land the Tygerberg Zoo is home to lions, tigers, zebra, cheetah, chimpanzees and marmosets. The zoo features 61 mammal species, 160 bird species and 63 reptile species. The zoo also specialises in the breeding of rare and endangered species so you will have the opportunity to see animals you would seldom see in the wild. For younger children there is the children’s farmyard and there is a shop where you can purchase refreshments.

The Olympic size ice rink situated within grand west is a very popular facility. The rink is open to the public with the hire of ice skates available. Whether you wish to organise a party or just go skating with some friends the ice rink is a whole lot of fun.

South African Astronomical Observatory's Cape Town headquarters, on the site of the former Royal Observatory (1828-1971) includes offices, the main library, computing facilities, engineering workshops and historic telescopes. Members of the public are welcome to visit the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town on the second Saturday of every month at 20:00. The gates will be open and visitors should gather by the pillars in front of the main building after parking nearby. After a brief introduction, the tour will introduce visitors to the work of an astronomer today (mostly with computers), show some of the curious instruments and devices of yesteryear, and (if the weather is clear) give everyone a chance to look at something in the sky through one of the telescopes. If the Cape Town skies are cloudy that night, a slide show will give an introduction to the Universe in one easy session.

Muizenberg, very popular during its heyday in the '60s and '70s, is where every surfer learns to cut his teeth and one of the most racially integrated beaches in Cape Town. Synonymous with the colourful beach huts that make their way onto picture postcards of Cape Town, this very long beach can get pretty busy during peak season but the waves are not too powerful and there are other facilities here such as put-putt courses and water slides so that it never feels crowded.

For every object on exhibition at the South African Museum, there are thousands more carefully stored away. The Museum houses more than one and a half million specimens of scientific importance. For nearly 200 years scientists at the Museum have been adding to these collections and studying them. The collections now range from fossils almost 700 million years old to insects and fish caught last week. There are also stone tools made by people 120 000 years ago, traditional clothes from the last century, and T-shirts printed yesterday. Open Mondays to Sundays, 10h00 to 17h00. Closed on Christmas Day and Good Friday.

The Cape Medical Museum, which was first opened in 1986, is housed in what was once the residence of the Medical Superintendent of the now defunct City Hospital for Infectious Diseases, built in 1900. Come and view the Cape medical history, including an intriguing display of indigenous medicines and medicinal plants. The Cape Medical Museum reflects medical history with an emphasis on both western and traditional medicine at the Cape. To see: Turn-of -the-century reconstruction of a consulting room / dispensary, dentist's room, operating theatre and hospital ward. Sangoma's bones, Flower of Fatima, Unique instruments and equipment and a whole lot more. Open to visitors, Tuesdays to Fridays from 09h00 to 16h00.

Conservation village, wild beauty and you won't see droves of tourists. You will be sharing the beach with +/- 20 other visitors unlike other beaches in Cape Town where you might fight for towel-space. Take your own drinks and food because the nearest shop is +/- 2km away. Also recommended on one of Cape Town's Winter days (no swimming though because of the cold Atlantic Ocean). But take a group of friends, a picnic and beach games for a little bit of 'Summer in July'.

SANCOB = South African National Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds. Injured or oiled sea birds (including penguins) are captured, stabilised, treated, washed (if necessary) then maintained until waterproof and ready for release. Visit their website for additional information.

Combine the spectacularly scenic drive along Chapmans Peak with a picnic along the way. Pack your own basket and choose one of the many stops along this well-known drive. There is a small fee to drive along Chapman's Peak, but it's worth it. The views are spectacular.

Mosterts Mill was built on a farm in the valley of the Liesbeek River at the end of the 18th Century. The farm was 'Welgelegen', the property of Gysbert van Renen, a member of one of the foremost families of the Cape. It is believed that the windmill was built by him in 1796 the year after the 'Battle of Muizenberg' when the British took control of the Cape. Until then, under the rule of the Dutch East India Company, building and operation of mills were strictly controlled and private mills were rare.

Mosterts Mill is open to the public most Saturdays when volunteer millers operate the mill. If you would like to see the Mill in operation or purchase some flour, the "Millers" would be delighted to see you and show you around this delightful example of "Living Heritage".

At the tip of the Cape Peninsula you will find Cape Point within the Cape Peninsula National Park. The treacherous cliffs forming the most south-western tip of Africa are some of the highest in the world. Inside the reserve you will find a variety of animals including buck, baboons and Cape Mountain Zebra as well as over 250 species of birds and indigenous flora that is found nowhere else in the world. Take a scenic drive, stop at one of the many picnic spots and tidal pools and travel to the Lighthouse lookout by funicular or on foot for spectacular views.

Sandy Bay, a bit of a clamber across the boulders from Llandudno or a walk from the car park, is enclosed by sand dunes and well protected from the wind. It’s Cape Town’s nudist beach and not as busy as the other beaches, possibly because of the walk. But you can escape the crowds here and don’t have to be naked in order to experience the beach.

La Med is very popular as a summer sundowner spot, a great Cape Town tradition. With a beach setting and an incredible vibe, this is one of Cape Town's best offerings. Once the sun has gone down DJs host theme parties, and there is live music on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Food here is inexpensive South African and State-side fair. There's a full bar, with beer and wine also available. Monday to Sundays from 12h00 till late.

Head over to the Obz Cafés and try one of their famous cocktails. The House speciality is "the long island ice tea" - be warned, it packs quite a punch! Obz Café is open all day for light meals, excellent coffee or cocktails, great salads and sandwiches. The deli has a wide variety of delicious snacks to choose from. Open 365 day a year from 09h00 until 22h30 (kitchen) and 14h00 until 02h00 (bar).

For years it was customary for the Club to alternate a Saturday afternoon hike with a full-day Sunday hike, but the enthusiasm of the members has lately resulted in two and sometimes even three hikes being organised per weekend. Check out their Hiking Programme to see what's coming up in the near future. If you're interested in doing a permit hike book early as the numbers are limited to 12 and the hikes are very popular. Visitors are welcome to join up. Visit the Ramblers website for more info and contact details.

The Kalk Bay Theatre (KBT)is a 79-seater theatre/restaurant located in the old Kalk Bay DR church, built in 1876 and is a heritage protected building. The building has been lovingly converted into an intimate theatre with the restaurant on the upper floor. KBT offers a unique night of entertainment. Dinner, theatre and quality time with friends all under the same roof.

The market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock on Saturday mornings which is a feast of food and interesting designer objects from art to clothes to books. This is as much a source for farm fresh as well as organic foods and locally produced specialty goods, as it is a meeting point. Saturdays from 09h00 to 14h00, enjoy live musical performances or bring a vinyl record to play at our Bring and Play station. Sit at the big table and enjoy your eats and drinks.

For a fun afternoon with the family (or without), head to the Putt Putt (mini-golf) course situated on the promenade in Mouille Point / Sea Point. Try your hand at a round of mini-golf on this landmark - the putt-putt course situated, which is situated on Beach Road. Fabulous sea views and great fun for everyone.

Buy an ice cream or pancake and walk along Blouberg beach front – the forgotten beach front! Watch dozens of kite surfers – quite a sight in the sky. Beautiful views of Cape Town and the mountain from 'the other side'. Clean safe beaches, lots of restaurants, overlooking the sea. Sit and watch the sunset with a sundowner. Every kind of food catered for within a short distance from each other. Market stalls selling various goods on Saturday and Sunday.