While the weather is still warm, here are a few outdoor adventures for you to try.
Durban
Swim with the sharks with Blue Wilderness Adventures
South Africa is one of the best countries in the world to swim with the infamous fish, and while Cape Town might be the best known their great whites, Durban’s waters are rife with tiger, ragged-tooth, dusky, blacktip, and whale sharks.
Blue Wilderness Adventures have been hosting shark dives for over 22 years. They offer a large variety of tours for people of all ages (children as young as 7 are welcome on cage-diving and -snorkeling tours) and skill levels.
Where: 7 Cordiner St, Scottburgh, Kwa-Zulu Natal
When: Monday to Sunday 5:30 am to 8:00 pm
Cost: Cost of tours vary and often include several optional extras, therefore cost is only available on request.
Contact: Visit bluewilderness.co.za
Swing Low at Moses Mabhida Stadium
If you want a real adrenaline rush, book a ride on the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s Big Rush Big Swing – measuring 88m with a 220m, it holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest swing, and is an exhilarating trip that anyone in the Durban area should try!
If you want something a bit tamer, go for a ride on the Moses Mabhida Stadium’s SkyCar. Built for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the stadium large arch is actually stable enough to walk on, and is a great place for people who want an amazing view of Durban and the Indian Ocean.
Where: 44 Isaiah Ntshangase Road, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
When: Monday to Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: Tickets for the Big Rush Big Swing cost R695 per person, no children under 10, booking is essential; tickets for the SkyCar cost R60 per adult, R30 for children under 12, children under 6 ride for free.
Contact: To book for the Big Rush Big Swing call 031 312 9281; for more information on the SkyCar call 031 582 8242.
Johannesburg
Take the plunge at Orlando Towers
Thrill seekers in Johannesburg can go bungee jumping at the Orlando Towers. The 100m leap takes place between two out-of-use cooling towers, decorated with spectacular graffiti.
While the bungee jump is a world-first, and incredibly safe; people who would prefer to keep their feet closer to the ground can try scale the 25m climbing wall, or play a round of paintball at the base of the tower.
Where: Corner of Chris Hani Road and Dynamo Street, Soweto, Gauteng
When: Thursday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm; Friday to Sunday, and Public Holidays, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Cost: Bungee jumps are from R550 per person; use of climbing wall costs from R60 per person; and paintball costs R200 per person
Contact: Call 071 674 4343
Explore the ancient past at The Cradle of Humankind
Maropeng, as far as we can tell, is the ancestral home of humanity – and a wonderful place for the adventurous to explore and learn. You can take a tour through the museum at the Visitors’ Centre, and the famous Sterkfontein Caves.
The caves are home to many famous palaeontological discoveries which are vital to understanding the story of humanity – including “Mrs Ples” and “Little Foot”, two of the oldest human ancestors ever discovered.
The walk through the caves is easy enough for just about everyone, but remember to wear good walking as it can get slippery.
Where: Sterkfontein Caves Rd, 1739 Kromdraai, Gauteng
When: Monday to Sunday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Cost: Combination tickets for both Maropen and the Sterkfontein Caves cost from R190 for adults, R125 for children aged 14 to 4, and free for children under 4
Contact: Call 014 577 9000
Cape Town
Snorkel with Hout Bay’s seals with Animal Ocean
Hout Bay is famous for its fun-loving seals and you can take a dip with them thanks to Animal Ocean Seal Snorkeling Tours.
They will take you out to Duiker Island in Hout Bay, which is home to over 5 000 Cape fur seals. The area is protected by shark nets, and forms part of the Karbonkelberg marine protected area in Table Mountain National Park, so it’s safe and well-regulated.
You can go diving with scuba-gear so long as you can prove you are certified. As for snorkelling anyone, over the age of 10 is welcome on the tour (children aged 10 to 16 require a guardian). If you’re not a strong swimmer probably give this one a miss, as you’ll be in the water for 45 minutes to an hour.
Where: NSRI Station 8, Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town, Western Cape
When: Monday to Saturday 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: Tours cost from R800 per person
Contact: Visit animalocean.co.za
Scale down Table Mountain with Abseil Africa
If you want to see Table Mountain from a unique angle why not try abseil down its iconic cliffs?
Abseil Africa allows you to take the cable car, or hike up the Mountain and then zip down it easily.
You’ll be accompanied by experienced guides, who will give you a safety briefing before you go, and will be there to help you all the way – so it’s really safe, and no previous abseiling experience is required.
Where: 297 Long Street, Cape Town, Western Cape
When: Monday to Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: From R895
Contact: Visit abseilafrica.co.za
