Tourism Update rounds up six great ideas for adventurers.
- White sharks – up close and personal
Charmaine Beukes, Marketing Manager for White Shark Projects, says shark diving has become a popular adventure experience in South Africa and the company has compiled one-week expeditions for travellers who want more than just a “once-off thrill of looking a Great White in the eyes”. During these expeditions, travellers embark on four days of White shark diving and viewing while also attending lectures. “This placement would suit people with an interest in research and conservation, who aren't afraid of working closely with Great White sharks!”
On this project, travellers learn a lot about the Great White and then put that knowledge to use by assisting in conservation and research into this awesome animal. Beukes says: “The expedition will leave you with a good understanding of the White shark and a greater appreciation for shark conservation. You'll receive training in White shark biology, research, behaviour, conservation, changing attitudes, shark attacks, basic seamanship, underwater filming, still photography and shark tourism. Weather permitting, you will go to sea frequently. At sea, you'll get involved as much as possible with all aspects of sea work. This will focus on working with the sharks from above and below the water.”
- Touring SA by motorcycle
Drifters recently introduced a new tour that sees travellers cross South Africa from Cape Town to Kimberley on an Enfield Motorcycle. Ken Hill, CEO Drifters Adventours, says the uptake for the motorcycle tour product has been fantastic. “Interestingly, we recently exhibited at the 1 000 Bike Show and it was the ladies who were attracted to the stunning looking bikes – they loved the idea of combining slow pace off-the-beaten-track motorcycle riding with fine accommodation, fine food, fine wine, and unique experiences!”
During this once-in-a-lifetime trip, which combines the nostalgia of riding a Royal Enfield motorcycle with a taste of South Africa, travellers will visit historic landmarks, taste the best wines, traverse remote valleys and wildlife areas, stay at working farms and swim in rock pools. This adventure traverses landscapes that vary from the lush Cape winelands to the high mountains, wide-open plains of the Karoo to the Kalahari bushveld and takes travellers truly “off of the beaten track”. Although not specifically a history tour, the theme is to follow in the wagon tracks of the early diamond prospectors and the later 1899 British Army advance to relieve the siege of Kimberley.
The daily rides will be easily achievable and will include a combination of road surfaces, smooth asphalt, hard packed gravel district roads and even short sections of Jeep track. The emphasis is on enjoying the riding, the surroundings, the excursions and the comfort that each night-stop provides.
- Stand-up paddleboarding
Cape Town is the place to be for travellers seeking adventure, as the Mother City offers a host of activities, from tandem skydiving to the depths of the Atlantic Ocean; from sandboarding down the white dunes of Atlantis to scaling a climbing wall.
The latest fitness craze that has blown over from Hawaii to the shores of South Africa is stand-up paddleboarding or SUP’ing. This off-shoot of surfing gives you an epic core body workout, while having serious fun in the sun. The canals around the V&A Waterfront provide a safe environment for getting the hang of it while taking in the many city sights from a completely new perspective.
"With our wealth of natural beauty, unrivalled mountain trails and scenic backdrops, it’s really not hard to understand why the Mother City is such an attractive destination for adventure tourism," says Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy.
- Put on your walking shoes
Walking holidays or experiences are definitely one of the most sought-after experiences for travellers to Africa. Trish Mambinge from Shearwater Adventures, says hiking and walking trails have become so popular because, for the younger generations, walking has become a ‘unique’ experience. “As a result of civilisation and urbanisation, there are no more open spaces for people to just enjoy nature any more.”
According to Thierry Pagnot, owner of Biwakwango, walking safaris are a big hit with adventure travellers. He says adventure travellers are not only looking for safaris; they also want to walk in the Drakensberg or other mountain ranges. “Walks don’t have to be restricted to mountains either. Deserts are very appealing to many people and we have plenty of arid places and deserts in Southern Africa too.”
Jayne Harley, Marketing Manager of Sunway Safaris, agrees. She says one of the most in-demand tours at the moment is the ‘Walking South Africa’ tour, which includes eight incredible walks that range from easy to challenging. “The clients have game walks on a reserve that is part of the Greater Kruger National Park, they walk in Blyde River Canyon as well as in Malalotja in Swaziland and False Bay. They do the Fugitives Trail in Zululand and then two wonderful walks in the Drakensberg – one in Royal Natal and one at Witsieshoek where there is a chain ladder section.”
Sarah Drew, Director Active Escapes, also says hiking is still the most in-demand experience. The Pondo Hopper Hike, which traverses the northern Pondoland stretch of the Wild Coast, is one of the most remote and ruggedly pristine stretches of coastline and is a big hit with adventure travellers. “The overnight tented camps are a joint venture partnership between the local community and Drifters Adventures. There is very little in the way of development on this stretch of coastline – just a few cottages and some small rural communities, and there are some amazing natural features such as waterfall bluff – an 80m waterfall that plunges directly into the ocean. There are few such examples in the world – and cathedral rock, a freestanding rock stack.”
- MTB is back
Mountain bike holidays have definitely made a comeback in South Africa. Mark Brown, co-founder of Canopy Tours SA, says a three- or four-day guided MTB trip anywhere along the Transkei coastline makes a fantastic adventure holiday.
Travellers will be able to appreciate the dramatic cliff faces, jutting headlands, natural waterfalls and deserted beaches of the Wild Coast from their bikes. MTB holidays also allow travellers to stop and interact with the colourful, friendly villagers that they meet along the way – an important plus factor for adventure travellers.
- Touring with a music band
Adventure travel is not only about adrenaline activities any more. Increasingly, it is about meeting people and cultures and is about unique experiences. Rock the Route is a small tour operator specialising in road trips. One of its unique road trips on the Garden Route sees travellers following a music band as they travel along from venue to venue.
On the Road, travellers will get to meet and befriend some talented musicians and hang out with them after their shows. It could be a small flamenco band from Argentina or international rock band doing an acoustic tour and travellers will be on the bus with these artists and see the show every night.
