South Africa: Famous Experiences With An Added Twist

South Africa: Famous Experiences With An Added Twist

Stand out from the crowds and enjoy some of South Africa’s most famous experiences, only with an added twist.

Table Mountain – the hard way

Everyone takes the cableway up to Cape Town’s most famous attraction, but far fewer come down by rope!

After posing for a selfie and taking in the fabulous views, get yourself strapped in for a vertical descent, abseilling down the side of the cliff 1000 metres above the city below.

Wine-tasting – on four legs

Wine-tasting in the Cape’s glorious wine region is always a wonderful way to pass the day, but to take the experience to the next level, join a scenic horseback ride through the Franschhoek Valley. Trotting through the vineyards and orchards, stopping at a glorious wine estate for a tasting and lunch - what could be finer? 

The Big Five – in electrifying fashion

A long-time haunt of the Big Five, the famed Kruger National Park now has a new species to add to its eco-credentials; the electric safari vehicle. These near-silent vehicles purr their way through the park allowing you to get up close to the game, whilst also enjoying the luxury of heated seats and USB charging points.

Penguin watching – without the huddle

Visitors stream to Boulder’s Beach to see the African penguins, but those in-the-know head instead to the Stony Point Nature Reserve. Located on the stunning but quieter R44 coastal drive, there are more penguins to see and fewer people to see them as they waddle along the beach and swim in the sea.

Robben Island – in the company of Mandela’s prison guard

A must-see on any tourist’s itinerary, but those wanting to really get under the skin of emotive Robben Island should book a private tour with Christo Brand. Being guided by Nelson Mandela’s former prison guard will be a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience for the lucky few.

Chapman’s Peak Drive – from a sideways view

The winding coastal roads of the Cape were almost built with self-driving tourists in mind, but to fully appreciate the magnificent vistas let somebody else take the wheel. Get kitted out with leather jacket, helmet and googles and take a seat in a vintage sidecar to see the breathtaking Chapman’s Peak Drive in all its glory.

Galleries & Museums – after dark

Cape Town is home to a thriving art scene and an ever-growing number of galleries and creative spaces, but time your visit right and see them in a completely different light - on the First Thursday of each month they stay open late and are joined by pop-ups and food trucks to create a unique, after-hours arts event.

Townships – with a purpose

Steer away from the normal township tours and go off-piste in Khayelitsha to make a real difference. Open your heath and mind and interact at a family counselling centre, visit a community pottery project, volunteer at a daycare centre, watch a dance school perform, help at a micro-farming association or listen to a youth orchestra.

The Drakensbergs – from a height

An awe-inspiring mountain range which is home to peaks, waterfalls, streams and caves, the Drakensbergs offer superb walking, cycling and hiking. Get a fresh perspective on this World Heritage Site however by taking to the skies and enjoying a thrilling helicopter ride over some of South Africa’s most dramatic scenery.

West Coast beaches - aboard a buggy

Home to never-ending beaches, fishing boats on the sands & superb eateries, the idyllic coastal village of Paternoster also plays host to one man and his beach buggy. Hold on tight as Deon Van Schalkwyk zips you along the coastal dunes, watching for whales and dolphins and regalling with tales of the village’s nautical history.