The Best of... Outdoor Adventure

Abseiling

Abseil from overhanging cliffs on Table Mountain, over the waves off the Knysna Heads or down the spectacular Storms River Gorge along the Garden Route Contact abseil@iafrica.com
seals@mweb.co.za - adventures@gardenroute.co.za

Ballooning

The country's excellent climate provides ideal conditions for hot-air ballooning. There are opportunities to fly over the Magaliesberg and Crocodile River Valley in Gauteng; to view game at Hazyview in Mpumalanga or in the Pilanesberg, near Sun City; or to take in the Cape Winelands. - Contact info@balloonsoverafrica.co.za - Africa@balloon.co.za

Bungee Jumping

South Africa has the highest bungee jump (216 metres) in the world, at the Bloukrans River on the border between the Western and Eastern Cape. There is also a jump at the Gouritz River Bridge in the Southern Cape. - Contact extremeafrica@iafrica.com - info@wildthing.co.za

Climbing

There is a huge array of mountains to climb, the most popular being in the Western Cape and in the Drakensberg, KZN and Mpumulnga - See www.saclimb.co.za

Hanggliding, Paragliding & Skydiving

There are many opportunities at the coast and inland and at smaller centres such as Grahamstown and Pietermaritzburg, to soar above and through the clouds - See www.skydive.co.za - Contact info@bigskyadventures.com

Hiking

More and more visitors are taking to hiking and walking trails as a way of experiencing the country's scenic splendours. Guided trails are on offer in all the major game reserves and national parks. Among the most famous hiking trails are the Otter Trail through the Tsitsikamma Forest along the Garden Route, the Amatola Trail in the Eastern Cape, the Ngwanase trail in the Kosi Bay Nature Reserve near St Lucia and the many routes along the Drakensberg mountains
For more details, see National Parks or www.saclimb.co.za

Horse Riding

Horse trails and safaris are available throughout the country. Riding is particularly popular in the foothills of the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, in the northern provinces and in Lesotho.
Contact www.lvhsafaris.co.za - colinhb@iafrica.com

Hunting

Hunting is a growing, though tightly controlled sport in South Africa, the only country in the world in which the Big Five may be hunted. Standards are set for hunting camps, services provided and trophy presentation. - Contact www.besthunt.co.za

Motor Cycling

See www.motorcycling.co.za - www.zabikers.co.za

Scuba Diving & Snorkelling

More than 10 000 scuba-divers are trained in South Africa each year and over 100 000 dives are made in the coral-reefs of the St Lucia Marine Reserve in northern KwaZulu-Natal. The Aliwal Shoal off the KZN South Coast is another popular diving and snorkelling location as is the Tsitsikamma Coastal Park along the Garden Route which offers two underwater diving trails and great opportunities for marine photographers. One can also dive in the predator tanks at the Two Oceans Aquarium in Cape Town and at BayWorld in Port Elizabeth - See www.scuba.co.za

Surfing

SA has some of the best and least crowded surfing beaches to be found anywhere. Durban and its adjoining resorts is the most popular surfing area followed by Jeffrey's Bay and beaches in the Eastern Cape. Kommetjie on the Atlantic Coast near Cape Town is also known for its huge waves. - See www.wavescape.co.za

White Water Rafting/Canoeing

This activity can be as challenging as you like, depending on the river you choose. The mighty Orange offers leisurely canoe trips as well as white water-rafting. Canoeing may also be done on the Vaal River in Gauteng, the Tugela, Umkomaas and Umgeni Rivers in KwaZulu-Natal and the Breede River in the Cape. There are some great white water opportunities on the Tugela and Buffalo Rivers in KZN and on the Olifants River in Limpopo province.
Sea kayaking may be done at the coast and in the St Lucia Estuary.
See www.canoesa.org.za