South Africa Adventure Travel Guide

Introducing South Africa (Continued...)

sitors than anywhere else in sub-Saharan Africa. World-class wildlife-watching, cosmopolitan cities like Johannesburg, stunning natural panoramas from Table Mountain National Park and vibrant cultures make the country appealing to almost every taste and budget. Geographically, its extremes include the arid semidesert of the Karoo, the snow-capped peaks of the Drakensburg Range, the lush subtropical coast of KwaZulu Natal and the fertile temperate valleys of Western Cape.

Flanked by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans South Africa has a varied climate with extremes of temperature and environment. Being in the southern hemisphere the summers run from October to April with a temperature range of 11C to 28C and relatively low rainfall. In the winter months of May to September the temperatures will drop as low as 8C and may perhaps squeeze up to 18C during the day. During these months rainfall is higher – jumping from only 25mm per month through the summer to approximately 110mm per month in June.

Air travel to South Africa is available from all major airports worldwide. The main international airports within South Africa are Cape Town International and O.R.Tambo International located in Johannesburg. Once landed with luggage in hand, South Africa transportation options are varied, providing distinctly different ways to experience the country and its bountiful offerings. Scheduled transport options include rail, flight and bus services, while car rental affords self-drive visitors great flexibility.

Scuba Diving

When considering any sort of Scuba adventure in South Africa there’s one specific type of marine species that immediately leaps to mind … Great White Sharks! To give yourself the ultimate eye to eye experience with one of the most awesome wanderers of the ocean then go straight to the Cape Town area on the southern tip of the country. About two hours up the coast from Cape Town is the town of Gansbaai and the Klenbaai Harbour from where most Shark Cage Diving boats will depart. The boats will run you out to Geyser and Dyer Islands for this adrenalin pumping adventure.
For a more sedate underwater experience then head up to the Eastern Cape for warmer waters and near Durban you’ll find the Aliwal Shoal, Protea Banks and one of South Africa’s best kept dive secrets, Rocky Bay. If you find yourself around the Eastern Cape during late May to late June you could witness the Sardine Run – A mass gathering of marine creatures all lying in wait for the Sardine’s to course past on their migration towards KwaZulu Natal.

Trekking

The most famous mount open to summit in South Africa is Table Mountain located just outside Cape Town on the Western Cape. Unlike any other mountain in the world it boasts a flat plateau that sits at 1086metres above sea level. There are a number of trails that run up to the summit and these vary in intensity. Other mountainous delights on offer around the Republic - The Otter Trail along the Tsitsikamma coast on the South Eastern Cape or the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape which offers miles of deserted beaches, wave-lashed rocks and occasional tropical forest. For the purists, the Cedarberg area, near Cape Town, or the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal offer trekking in designated wilderness areas with no markers or huts – so it’s just you and a map!

Surfing

Across South Africa there are literally hundreds of respectable surf sites that can cater for all levels and abilities. On the Eastern Cape around KwaZulu Natal you can base yourself in Durban and then venture out to a number of beaches. The highlights of this area include a visit to New Pier, Bay of Plenty or Cave Rock. These beaches offer hollow beach breaks, points and classic beach breaks as well as beautiful coastal scenery and high quality surf. Winter (May to August) is the best time to visit but the surf is up all year round here!
Further south on the Eastern Cape don’t miss the surf at Nahoon Beach and Port St’Johns. Another gem in this area is Jeffreys Bay just west of Port Elizabeth. Home to the Billabong Pro Surf event, it doesn’t hold this auspicious title for no reason and boasts some of the most consistent surf in SA. The main surf event is held in July and a real treat for any surf enthusiast to witness.
Over on the Western Cape the beaches are sandy, the scenery is breathtaking and although the water is considerably cooler the surf is again consistent. Travel down to Camp’s Bay, Clifton, Hermanaus, Muizenberg or Bloubergstrand to sample the great waves of the Western Cape.

Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing in South Africa is an exhilarating and awesome experience whether you’re a novice climber or of a more advanced level. The most popular location is Mpumalanga located in the east of SA, north of KwaZulu Natal and bordering Swaziland. Inside this region lies the Drakensburg Escarpment which rises to 3482metres. Of all the cliffs to explore the most famous is Waterval Bowen (also known as The Restaurant). Riddled with crags and cliffs this site is one of the best in SA and maybe even the world.
Also consider Table Mountain just outside Cape Town for you climbing adventure – the views and the sunsets are stupendous from the top! Further afield but still within the Cape Town area is the magnificent Cederberg. This is a world-class boulder area and boasts some of the best trad rock climbing routes in the country.

Whitewater Rafting

On the Buffalo River in Zululand you’ll find some of the most exciting white water rafting in South Africa, the river was rated one of the top ten best in Africa. Other WWR destinations include the Palmiet River in the Kogelburg Nature Reserve on the Western Cape which offers fantastic technical rafting opportunities as well as amazing scenery. Mpumalanga located in the east of SA has some of the most stunning rivers in the country. Check out Blyde River and be prepared for some steep gradients, some of the most intense in SA.
White Water Rafting is best experienced in the winter months between November to April, when the water levels are at their highest. Outside of this time it might not be possible to ride some of the rivers in SA.

Kitesurfing

Although a relatively new sport in SA, the geographic location and weather systems that swirl around the Cape make SA one of the best up and coming kitesurfing destinations in the world!
Cape Town boasts clean and consistent winds with great waters and a cosmopolitan base from where to get your feet wet. Further up the Western Cape is Langebaan – the afternoon conditions and consistency here are internationally recognised as one of the best kite surfing venues in the world. On the opposite side of Table Bay is the region of Blaauwerg and the beach of Bloubergstrand. Once again the conditions are brilliantly consistent with the added bonus of being able to marvel at Table Mountain whilst flying through the air. Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape is known as the 'Windy City' and has more than enough wind and beach to get you flying. 

Safari

Wildlife Safari’s are synonymous with South Africa. Kruger National Park, in the north east of the country, is perhaps the best known of the national parks and from here you can view the big cats, the mighty elephants and the elusive leopards, to name but a few. KwaZulu Natal is also a great safari destination. Whilst on the Safari you can also hike in the bush with local tribesmen and learn about their indigenous way of life alongside the big game of Africa. The lush, rolling Savannahs contrast beautifully with the mountainous escarpments and surging rivers of South Africa. Sit back, get your binoculars out and lap it up!

Classic Itineraries

To sample all of what South Africa has to offer would involve timeframes that most of us cannot unfortunately accommodate. To perhaps break the country in to regions and explore in manageable chunks is a good way to appreciate all that is awesome about South Africa.
From Cape Town, for example, you can choose from a selection of water borne activities like surfing, scuba diving and the ultimate wildlife encounter of cage diving with Great White Sharks. Head inland from Cape Town and there’s trekking around Table Mountain National Park – an absolute must for anyone wanting to check out the natural diversity of flora and fauna in this region. Then head back to the city and spend time relaxing in the cosmopolitan ambience and warm sunshine of Cape Town.