The Republic of South Africa is a large and diverse country teeming with culture, wildlife, and adventure! It has a little bit of everything— high mountains, dry deserts, modern cities, subtropical woodlands, friendly people, rich culture and TONS of cool animals and plants!
So, when you plan on traveling to this wonderful country, here are the best adventures you should try!
Game Viewing
Being a wildlife paradise, SA offers plenty of game viewing adventures! This country is home to numerous national parks and wildlife reserves that are world famous! These places offer you seeing the big five together including rhinos, buffalos, leopards, lions, and elephants.
Game viewing here is done either in enclosed cars or open safari vehicles. There are some private reserves that offer night drives for game viewing and tracking games on foot.
Great White Shark Cage Diving
SA also offers extreme adventures for thrill-seekers. Get up close with the bad boys of the ocean through cage diving in some of the best white shark spots in South Africa. Great places include the great white shark capital of SA, Gansbaai and Mossel Bay on the east.
Adventure tours will take you out to the wide open sea, teach you shark etiquette and lower you down as sharks swirl around the cage.
Crocodile Cage Diving
If wading with sharks was not enough to quell your extreme desire to stare down teeth-bearing beasts, then why not try swimming with another one— the Nile crocodile? At 4 meters long with a bite power 4 times that of sharks, crocs will come and check if you are available for a little taste test.
The Cango Ranch in Oudtshoorn is one of the few places in the world crazy enough to offer such a nerve-wracking adventure! And although it might be more scary than fun, it is a good option for those who wish to sharpen their appetite for a scary adventure.
Climbing Table Mountain
Table Mountain is one of the most popular landmarks in all of SA. Rising up to 3,500 feet in the air, this mountain attracts millions of tourists annually. Although visitors can opt to take the cable car to the top, for the adventurous, hiking is also an option.
Climbing offers a unique experience and gives you spectacular views of the city along the way. Just make sure to check the weather forecast and consider car rental Cape Town to head there!
Doing a Skydive
Thinking about flying like a bird? How about hurling yourself out of a plane that is thousands of feet above the ground? And if you are going to do such an extreme sport, why not try it somewhere with a beautiful view like SA?
You can choose sky diving spots in Plettenberg Bay, Parys, and Cape Town. You can even catch an epic view on your way up.
Whale Watching
Want to watch the magnificent, gentle giants of the ocean? I’m talking about those amazing whales!
If time allows, you can visit Hermanus between July and November and experience the legendary whale watching, without even leaving the shore! You’ll get to see humpbacks and even killer whales waving around their huge tails!
Surfing, Snorkeling, and Scuba-Diving
Blessed with long, beautiful stretches of water, SA offers all kind of water activities. For one, SA is extremely popular for having some of the finest surfing breaks in the world. So take up your surfboards, head to Jeffrey’s Bay and try to catch some waves.
If you are not into fighting those big waves, try the best diving spots found in northern KwaZulu-Natal and say hello to colorful reefs and fish as well as experiencing underwater trails.
Fishing
If you prefer staying dry and sitting comfortably on a boat or on land, SA offers 3,000 km long coastlines and numerous rivers, dams, lakes, and streams, making it a fine fishing destination!
Whether you prefer catching trout in mountain streams or you’re after a game of fishing in the ocean, SA offers plenty of fishing options for everyone. For fly fishing, you should never skip the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga province.
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