Delpixel/shutterstock mooinblack/shutterstock at Waenhuiskrans, the Gamtoos and Storm’s River mouths in the Eastern Cape, and various dive sites off East London and the Wild Coast, to name but a few. For all of the above activities there are numerous clubs at all the major cities, towns and beaches, where visitors will find many locals eager to guide them around. There are a large number of scuba diving academies where novices can learn and be certified, or where gear can be rented. For those looking for charter opportunities or just wanting to learn more about the local yachting scene, there are world-famous yacht clubs like the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town (Tel: +27 (0)21-421-1354), the Royal Natal Yacht Club in Durbann (Tel: +27 (0)31 301 5425), or the Algoa Bay Yacht Club in Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Bay). The beaches at Table View, Big Bay, Melkbosstrand, Langebaan Lagoon and others along the West Coast are renowned as a global mecca for kite surfers, when raging Southeasters churn up these seas in summer and the kite surfers reach awesome speeds and jumping heights. (Contact the SA Kitesurfing Association at Tel: +27 (0) 829 0344/56 for more info). Shark cage diving is very popular too, and a large number of operators are found in coastal cities and towns from Cape Town to Sodwana Bay. The Mountains South Africa’s many majestic mountain ranges, from Table Mountain in the Western Cape, to the Drakensberg Range in the northeast of the country, offer superb opportunities for alpine climbers, rock climbers, traditional climbers, sport climbers, bouldering, top rope climbing, free solo climbing, abseiling, hang gliding, and more. Some of the more popular climbs are to be found at Waterval Boven and Blyde River Canyon in Mpumalanga; Magaliesburg in Gauteng; Table Mountain, Hottentots Holland Mountains, Cederberg Mountains, Du Toitskloof, Klein Winterhoek, the Swartberg and Outeniqua Mountains in the Western Cape; Hogsback and Baviaanskloof in the Eastern Cape; and the Drakensberg which can be approached from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, or Free State. For visitors a good starting point for advice and assistance would be the Mountain Club of South Africa (Tel: +27 (0)21 465 3412), which has 14 sections or branches distributed across the country. If you are less adventurous or daring and simply want to enjoy the mountains on a good walk, there are numerous lovely hiking trails ranging from absolutely easy to very difficult in mountainous areas all across the country. Local tourism organisations can provide details of these or you can call SANParks at +27 (0)12 426 5000. 56 |ISSUE 6|www.<strong>mzanzi</strong>travel.co.za | MZANZI TRAVEL
LouisLotterPhotography/shutterstock Andre Gie/shutterstock MZANZI TRAVEL| www.<strong>mzanzi</strong>travel.co.za|ISSUE 6 | 57