The weather may be cooling down, but in South Africa, adventure always awaits, no matter the weather. Whether you adore activities that challenge your physical fitness, love to travel, or want to be one with nature, our country is rich with outdoor adventures for you to explore. To help you get inspired, we’ve put together a list of cost-effective, adventurous bucket list items for you to try in South Africa. There’s something for everyone to add to their list!
What’s more, we all know that to enjoy any adventure you need the right adventure gear, so we’ve gone ahead and cherry-picked some of the best sports and outdoor gear for South African terrain, so you know just what you’ll need before heading out the door.
PriceCheck tip: On any adventure or trip, remember to pack a first-aid kit for any emergencies or medical needs. Find the best deals on first-aid kits on PriceCheck.
River rafting
River rafting is always a great idea for a family adventure. Take your loved ones out to enjoy the calm and tranquillity of South Africa’s rivers such as the Orange River and Vaal River while being surrounded by nature.
Top gear picks: Keep your feet protected with a great pair of aqua shoes while rafting through the river’s rapid flows.
Conquer one of the world’s leading tourist attractions
Ranked the number one outdoor activity in Cape Town, and a playground for nature lovers and adventure seekers, Table Mountain is one of the seven wonders of the world. Whether you hike up and down, or hike and catch the Cable Car one-way, this is one tourist spot well worth tackling. Hiking has health benefits, such as body rejuvenation, and can be the perfect outdoor activity if you want to clear your mind and recuperate your thoughts.
Top gear picks: The weather at Table Mountain constantly changes, so make sure you’re ready for anything with a good quality, high-tech wind and waterproof jacket. If you’re an avid hiker, then you’ll also want to ensure you invest in a pair of hiking boots to tackle the rugged terrain.
Take a leap of faith In Soweto
The Soweto Towers is one of many tourist attractions in Soweto. Originally, it was used as the Orlando coal-fired power station in 1943 and commissioned at the end of World War II. It is the perfect destination to spend time with friends and family while learning about the history of Soweto,
Top gear picks: To capture every moment of the adventure, don’t forget your GoPro with a GoPro chesty harness and other GoPro accessories to capture immersive footage while you jump off those towers!
Catch the sunrise or sunset on top of the world
Lion’s Head is another popular hiking trail in Cape Town. The hiking trail is a popular morning and afternoon hike, with nature lovers enjoying a quick cup of coffee, or a sundowner, at the top – depending on which time of day you decide to hike.
Top gear picks: Hiking at dawn or dusk is a great way to avoid midday heat, but it can be a bit scary, therefore it’s essential you carry a reliable light source such as the Petzl Tikkina 250L Headlamp while hiking the Lion’s Head. A reliable headlamp is an essential piece of hiking gear, as it can help you navigate your way to the top of the mountain, enabling you to see the trail ahead or spot wildlife before you bump into them.
Lunch at The Valley of Desolation
The perfect destination for an outdoor lunch or picnic. You can also catch a glimpse of the endangered Cape Mountain Zebra, plenty of Kudu, Buffalo, the majestic Black Eagle and the Kori Bustard – the heaviest flying bird in the world.
Top gear picks: Take your own coffee and ensure it stays warm for hours in a Stanley Flask.
Catch The Big Five
Spend the day with nature and animals at the Kruger National Park and get to enjoy some of the best game viewing in Africa, spectacular unspoilt landscapes and complete solitude of the wilderness.
Top gear picks: Catch all the action on your self-drive safari with reliable and state-of-the-art binoculars.
Explore Cape Town from the sky
Let the wind guide you and take you through the city of Cape Town while paragliding and enjoy Table Mountain, Signal Hill and Lion’s Head from a bird’s eye view.
See the streets of Braamfontein and Soweto on two wheels
Book a cycle tour of the city and explore the streets of Braamfontein and Soweto on just two wheels.
Top gear picks: Pick up a Hydration Backpack to stay hydrated and keep your gear secured during your cycle adventure.
Explore the Cradle Moon Hiking Trail
Just half an hour’s drive from Sandton Central, this expansive lodge in the middle of a 160 hectare conservancy in the Cradle of Humankind is popular with mountain bikers, trail runners and open water swimmers. For hikers there is a popular and very easy-going 10km route which traces a path around the Cradle Moon dam, look out for zebras, springbok, and if you are lucky, giraffes along the way.
Top gear picks: Protect your feet, and they will carry you on your hike and make your trail experience all the more enjoyable. Invest in a good pair of hiking boots, and you’ll be singing your way to the top of the trail.
Set off for The Garden Route
Everyone loves a getaway, even if it’s just for the weekend. For a road trip to remember, head off on a trip to The Garden Route and explore the beguiling diversity of wide sandy beaches, lovely lakes and lagoons, shady evergreen forests and protea-studded slopes. Visit the Storms River Mouth or bungee jump from the world’s highest bridge if you dare.
Top gear picks: Explore off the beaten track with the waterproof and durable Handheld GPS unit you can trust to get you to your destination and beyond.
