When it comes to being adventurous, there aren’t many places that can compete with Africa. Sure you have the safaris, wild animals and practically unchartered territory, but there’s much, much more to this country than just that.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie or are simply looking for your next great life experiences, then here are a few extreme sports to try when you’re in South Africa.
Sand Boarding
Wish you could go snowboarding but without the cold and snow? Well, unfortunately sandboarding is not quite the same, but it is pretty cool nonetheless! Jeffrey’s Bay is a great place to go sandboarding thanks to its awesome dunes – there’s different sized dunes to suit everyone from beginners to advanced snowboarders.
White Water Rafting
If you haven’t been white water rafting before then you simply have to try this awesome activity for yourself! There’s nothing quite as fun as tearing down the river, through the Richtersveld, and feeling the raft drop down the cascades and bounce through the currents. You’ll find plenty of prime locations for this activity in South Africa, from the Orange River to the Parys white water or even the Palmiet River running through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve.
Quad Biking
What better way to explore the great outdoors than sitting on a quad bike and making your way through tough-to-negotiate terrain. These tours take you through forests, mountains, valleys and streams to give you great views of South Africa’s beauty. Pick the Eastern Cape to see the Amatola and Stormberg regions, head to the Drakensberg Mountains or go to the Limpopo region and enjoy your adventure!
Shark Cage Diving
Want to face one of the world’s greatest predators on their own turf? For the adventurous travellers out there, Shark Diving is a great opportunity to face your fears. This isn’t a pure adrenaline trip however, expect a bit of time on a boat and cold water – but all of this will disappear from your mind the moment you see a Great White Shark stalk up to the cage.
Bungee Jumping
Thrill seekers rejoice! The world’s highest bungee jumping bridge can be found in South Africa, allowing you to drop a staggering 216 meters. Whether you’ve been bungee jumping before or if it’s your first time, the Bloukrans Bridge provides an experience like no other, providing you with a stunning view of the majestic valley juxtaposed by the excited screaming of adrenaline seekers launching themselves off a bridge attached to a long bungee cord.
Spelunking
Cave diving to me and you, is also known as spelunking and allows you to explore some of the best sights of South Africa – underground! That’s right, you can go on a full-on adventure in some of the most stunning caves in the world. If you want to get really extreme, take the Adventure Tour at Cango Caves where you wind your way through tight twists and turns with some points narrowing to just over 70cm high and 30cm wide!
Abseiling
Mountain climbing is fun, but it can be a bit tedious coming down. That’s not the case with Cape Town’s Table Mountains! Here you can abseil from 1,000 metres above sea level into pure vertical space. Not only is this a speedy, fun way to get down, but it gives you a chance to see South Africa from a perspective that’s completely different to the norm.
Ostrich Riding
You read that right, ostrich riding. Not only is this a pretty unique sport for South Africa, but it’s something that you’re unlikely to forget in a hurry! Take one for a stroll, go on an ostrich tour or maybe even take part in an ostrich derby and you’ll be sure to have a thrilling time. This is only available for people who weigh less than 75kg, for obvious reasons but this is a great experience that’s well worth trying.
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