10 Adrenaline-Inducing Adventures In South Africa

Add a little adventure to your trip to South Africa. These 10 adrenaline-inducing experiences are waiting to be had… if you dare.

1. Bungee jump the Bloukrans

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Leaping off the Bloukrans Bridge, you plunge over 700 feet into the gorge below. As far as adrenaline rushes go, you don’t get much better than a Bloukrans bungee jump, which also happens to be located in one of the most scenic corners of the country.

2. Fly high on a microlight

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Microlighting in South Africa is a visceral experience. You're up above the ever-changing landscape, along valleys and skirting ridges, the wind in your hair and the land far beneath your feet.

3. Face a predator during a shark cage dive

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Enter the domain of the great white shark from the safety of a shark cage and witness these uber-predators in their natural environment as they come over and check you out.

4. Battle the surf

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Surfing is an integral part of South African culture. From the colder Cape waters to the tropical warmth of the Indian Ocean, young and old mingle at popular surf spots from early morning until sundown with a single goal – to pick the best wave of the day and ride it all the way to the beach.

5. Swing from the Soweto Towers

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

The Soweto bungee jump adds a whole new dimension to sightseeing in this famous township. Bridging the gap between adventure and township tourism, it allows visitors to enjoy one of its most famous landmarks like never before.

6. Raft the Orange River Gorge

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Ride this legendary South African river through the Orange River Gorge and the Richtersveld National Park in an inflatable raft or Indian Mohawk canoe, with stopovers each night under the stars. It’s the closest you will get to pure nature, with skilled guides leading the way.

7. Soar on a canopy tour

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Canopy tours afford you a perspective on the fauna and flora of the forest that few human beings would ordinarily experience. See amazing sights while you learn about the forest and soar from platform to platform as free as a bird on a remarkable system of pulleys and wires.

8. Spot whales on a boat tour

Via Flickr: Visit South Africa

Whether you visit South Africa’s whale-watching capital Hermanus or choose a scenic spot along the Garden Route or Wild Coast, seeing these marine giants in their natural environment is an experience that you won’t want to miss.

9. Dive below the surface

Via Flickr: South Africa Tourism

Scuba diving in South Africa is among the very best in the world. You can explore the tropical waters of the east coast, the magnificent shipwrecks and kelp forests of the west coast, or even inland caves and quarries.

10. Hike the Drakensberg

Via Flickr: Visit South Africa

The Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Park boasts the highest concentrations of rock art south of the Sahara spectacular mountain peaks rich biodiversity and rare fossils bringing together the best of South Africa and Lesotho to form a spectacular cross border mountain paradise.