Marketing South Africa as an adventure tourism heaven

Klerksdorp – It’s easy to tell any foreign tourist that he has landed in adventure heaven when his plane touches down on South African soil. Whatever his preference, there’s bound to be an adventure to keep him happy – and the adrenaline rushing.South Africa has some of the best climbing in the world, with Cape Town particularly well endowed. There are literally hundreds of bolted and natural routes on excellent quality Cape granite or Table Mountain sandstone within the city limits. There are climbing schools and mountain guides in all the main centres, and route guides are available from climbing shops.

River trips range from mostly scenic to grade five white-water washing machines. There are over a hundred listed paragliding or hang gliding launch sites, and many more less well known, with schools in every centre. Also up in the air, there are many opportunities for helicopter rides, balloon flights, aerobatics, skydiving and micro light flights.

Thousands of kilometres of hiking trails wind around the country, in desert, forest, mountain or coast, and many have mountain bike trails adjacent. Some hikes are a bit more luxurious – you walk from hotel to hotel and have your luggage taken round.

There are wonderful easy horse trails through vineyards, on the beach or in the mountains and, for the adventurous and more experienced, horseback safaris in big game country.

We have the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (at 216m), as well as lots of pretty abseiling and bridge swinging.

For something combining adrenalin, peace and tranquillity, and sheer beauty, suggest the treetop canopy tour in Tsitsikamma.

The art of canyoning – known as kloofing in South Africa – is another hot favourite, with self-guided and escorted trips.

Other popular events in adventure tourism are:
-    Shark diving
-    Abseiling, rap & bungee jumping
-    Paragliding, hang gliding and flying
-    Rock climbing and mountaineering
-    Mountain biking
-    Canoeing, rafting and kayaking
-    Hiking
-    Horse riding and trails
-    Skydiving and base jumping
-    Scuba diving

FREE  for 30 days

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