Ever craved travelling to a place where you can connect with nature in its purified form? Then, South Africa is the place to visit. If you need a steady injection of adrenaline coursing through your veins, South Africa got it all.
From Bungee jumps to shark cage diving, South Africa is an adventurer’s playground supreme for thrill-seekers.
If you are headed to the sunny shores of South Africa in search of thrilling outdoor activities, check out these top 6 outdoor thrill-seeking activities for an adventurous holiday escape.
1 – Abseiling Table Mountain
Table Mountain in Cape Town is a must-do when in SA. Dangling from a vertical cliff face, you’ll enjoy incredible views of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Catch the cable car up the mountain and enjoy the scenery before heading over to get strapped into your harness. Here is the scary bit, standing backwards on top of the mountain, heels over the cliff edge, and leaning back into thin air. Once you’re in position, walk yourself backwards down the sheer wall or jump if you’re a pro.
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The last part is simple. After the rock falls, you will be lowered to the ground. Enjoy stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, Lion’s Head, Camps Bay and Robben Island around you.
It’s one of the best things to do in South Africa. The entire process takes about an hour, leaving you with time to explore the mountain.
2 – Bungee Jumping
As far as adventure goes, this is the ultimate rush. Bloukrans bungees is the highest bungee from a bridge in the world.
No point pretending it isn’t scary: it is terrifying. As you get weighed and step into your harness, comfort yourself knowing that Bloukrans has a 100% safety record.
Walking along the bridge’s metal grill walkway to the platform, you’ll get an eyeful of what awaits: a 200-metre drop to the river below. After being strapped onto the bungee by an ankle brace, you’ll be lifted onto the platform to throw caution to the wind, smile for the camera, and jump.
The bungee will give you a head rush of notes, and all thrill seekers need to give this one a try. The views of the Bloukrans Valley from Africa’s highest bridge are majestic and tranquil.
3 – Shark Cage Diving
Another thrill-seeking outdoor activity in South Africa is cage diving with the fascinating great white sharks. Gansbaai has the highest concentrations of Great White Sharks in the world.
Think of it as a backwards visit to the zoo – instead of animals being caged, you are. They attach the cage to the side of the boat and sit just below the surface of the water.
If you don’t like that, go on breaching tours to spot the sharks leaping clean into the air as they hunt seals.
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A seal decoy and ‘chum’ attract the sharks to the boat, which is a mixture of fish guts and blood. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see the curious shark up close as it swims around the boat to investigate.
Don’t worry, shark cage diving is safe. The galvanised steel cage made with extra steel mesh will protect you from the sharks.
4 – Insane zip lining in Hottentots Holland
Who doesn’t love a dose of zip-lining? Jump into your harness and head into the mountains to fly across valleys and soar over woodland.
The appeal of zip-lining is that it isn’t as scary as it looks. Although launching yourself on a platform might seem challenging, the cable angle means you’re moving forward, not straight down.
A clip on the front of the harness, and a safety wire, are attached to the cable. Then, lift your legs be heaved off the platform, let your body weight carry you to the next station with plenty of time to enjoy the landscape and feel the wind on your face.
If that sounds a bit tame, let the guides give the cable a yank, to bounce up and down along the wire.
5 – Kloofing Down Suicide Gorge
Kloofing involves hiking, cliff jumping, rock climbing, sliding and swimming while traversing deep ravines and gorges. The most popular thrilling spot in South Africa is Suicide Gorge in Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve near Grabouw.
I should mention that once you start down the first jump, there is no turning back because the only way out is to go forward.
6 – White River Rafting
Experience the power of nature as the fast-flowing river hurls you along the white water rapids in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. You’ll be given wetsuits to keep you dry, but make sure you pack shoes or booties that can get wet. The river has over ten rapids on its 4km stretch. Enjoy the craggy peaks and lush greenery around the Palmiet River.
