All nine of South Africa's provinces offer a wide range of activities from deep sea diving and shark cage diving to mountain climbing and abseiling, elephant-back
safaris, surfing, quad biking, whale watching... the list is endless.
SOUTH AFRICA ADVENTURE AND LEISURE PURSUITS
When visiting South Africa, whether you are young or old, there's an adventure option within your fitness range that will add a lot of fun to your stay. There are plenty of activities to choose from and the choice is growing all the time.
The daring, ultra-fit thrill-seekers opt for hair raising stunts such as bungee jumping, riding the rapids, diving with great white sharks, and leaping from the skies with parachutes strapped to their backs. Hikers follow adventure trails, climbers scale the mountain peaks, and anglers stand thigh-high in streams waiting for trout to snatch the fly.
Popular options for the less energetic traveller to South Africa include bird watching, snorkeling and the ever popular hot air ballooning. Another wonder is the airy views hot air ballooning. All you do is climb aboard a basket, wait for lift off, relax and enjoy fabulous birds-eye views of the countryside. The wind, the pilot and the crew do all the work, and at the end of the flight, a celebratory glass of champagne and scrumptious brunch await you.
White river rafting can be either gentle or terrifying, depending on the river. Some, like the Doring in the Western Cape are fast-flowing and steep. Others, including the Orange River, are calm and undemanding. You need to be reasonably fit for the really wild rivers, but most people who can swim can cope with gentle conditions. Thrills and occasional spills, tranquillity, bird song, great scenery and good company provide the ideal ingredients for a memorable excursion.
For snorkelling - the easiest (and cheapest) way of exploring the rich marine life of the underwater world - all you need is a pair of fins, a snorkel and a face mask. The rest is up to you. Scuba diving is in a different league altogether, and you should be a fairly good swimmer before thinking of taking the plunge. You'll also need specialized gear and a knowledge of the physical effects and potential dangers of the "foreign" environment. A course takes a minimum of five days and includes theory and practice sessions.
Horse riding is another great adventure to soak up the outdoors in full HD.
For more thrill-seeking options and outdoor activities see our menu of options alongside. For specific activities and ideas on what to do in the area you are visiting browse through our directory of things to do in SA for more specific details.
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Eastern Cape
Unspoilt beaches, majestic mountain hideaways, stark Karoo landscapes, and opportunities to experience Xhosa village life in the Wild Coast’s backpacker lodges.
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Freestate
The golden province at the heart of South Africa, with shimmering corn and sunflower fields, the arty town of Clarens and mountain views in the rugged Eastern Highlands.
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Garden Route
A popular and scenic stretch of the southern coast from Mossel Bay to Storms River, offering activities galore in its old-growth forests and lagoons.
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Gauteng
Bursting at the seams with Johannesburg, Soweto and Pretoria, the nation’s smallest province is its powerhouse and place to party-party. It’s a 24-hour hustle on these streets. Don’t be put off by Joburg’s rep; learn the good news and join the fun in hip neighbourhoods.
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Kwa Zulu Natal
South Africa really pulls out the stops in this eastern province, which boasts the Drakensberg mountains, Zululand, awesome parks and reserves like iSimangaliso (St Lucia), and the beaches and diving of Durban and the coast.
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Limpopo
South Africa’s northernmost province is home to the Venda region’s African artists and wild landscapes in Mapungubwe and the Waterberg.
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Mpumalanga
The main attractions of this scenic northern province are the Panorama Route, which takes in the awesome Blyde River Canyon, and the Drakensberg Escarpment.
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North West
The main attractions of this scenic northern province are the Panorama Route, which takes in the awesome Blyde River Canyon, and the Drakensberg Escarpment.
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Northern Cape
A vast and open area with exquisite scenery, made up of the semi-arid Karoo, Kalahari and Namaqualand, the latter carpeted with wildflowers in August/September.
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Western Cape
Rightfully a tourist magnet, the Cape couples its unique cultural and natural heritage with first-world infrastructure. Cape Town, the Winelands, the Overberg, the Little Karoo and the Cederberg are just a few areas to chill with killer views.
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