Get ready to soar to new heights and experience the thrill of a lifetime with a diverse array of adrenaline-pumping activities scattered across South Africa’s breathtaking landscapes. Whether you’re yearning to glide gracefully through the skies like a bird or take a daring leap from towering heights, there’s something for every adventure seeker in this adrenaline-fuelled journey. From the majestic mountains of KwaZulu-Natal to the picturesque valleys of the Western Cape, prepare to push your limits and discover the true essence of adventure.
Wild Sky Paragliding, Bulwer, KZN
“It’s the closest thing to free flight a human can experience,” says Ria Fokkens, an instructor and chief of bookings and finances at Wild Sky Paragliding. “You soar with the birds, using thermals to gain altitude.” (For the uninitiated, thermals are columns of rising warm air that – if hit at the right angle – can extend your hangtime.)

Fokkens’ paragliding outfit is based out of Bulwer, a small town in KZN’s Midlands region hunkered in the foothills of the Southern Drakensberg. Sitting just an hour outside of Pietermaritzburg – or around two if you’re heading from Durban’s bustling city centre – you’ll cut through the aforementioned area, known for its rolling green landscapes and bounty of lakes, rivers, and crystal-clear waterfalls. While these sights are literal eye candy from the window of your car, they take on new, grandiose dimensions when you’re in flight. That’s exactly why Wild Sky will be your best wingman.
Clear the Air: Flying solo requires training – and the crew at this paragliding operation offers just that. But for a sample of what the sport offers, you can opt for an introductory tandem flight with a qualified instructor, says Fokkens. “No experience is required,” she adds. And even your kids can take flight – provided they’re six or older. This tandem ride costs R1 250 and you’ll bag up to 15 minutes of air time.
Plan It: If you’re heading out from nearby, you could squeeze a flight and a few pit stops into a single-day trip. However, if you’d like to taper off your adrenaline in countryside surroundings, the Mountain Park Hotel is a comfortable place to unwind. Built in the 1940s, the property exudes old-world charm and will situate you within a stone’s throw of the many other ground-level adventures available to visitors. Rooms start at R475 (per person sharing). Head to roomsforafrica.com to lock in a reservation.
READ MORE: 8 R&R Local Getaways You Need To Check Out
Bloukraans Bridge, Storm’s River, WC
Ready to take a leap of faith? The Bloukrans Bridge – towering 216m above a picturesque valley – will put your devotion to daredevil antics to the test. And when it comes to bungee, that elastic plunge that will snap anyone back to reality, this air-bound adventure is the highest natural variant of its kind in the world. See, we told you we’d help you take your adventures to new heights. Face Adrenalin, which oversees the plunges into the dark green valley below, makes use of pendulum bungee tech for a smooth and “comfortable” fall. So, when you’re jolted out of your free-fall, instead of bouncing at the end of a tether, you’ll immediately swing along the terrain below for an unparalleled view of the area’s lush flora.

Risk Rating: While you might be wary of leaping, the crew at Face Adrenalin has an unblemished safety record with zero accidents since they started their high-flying operation in 1997. Since then, more than 300,000 people have jumped from the fabled bridge.
Plan It: Nestled in the heart of the Tsitsikamma region, it’s an embarrassment of riches when it comes to accommodation. We recommend booking an oceanside bungalow at the nearby Storm’s River Mouth Rest Camp (base rate of R1 300) where you’ll have easy access to jaw-dropping ocean vistas, an abundance of hiking trails and the area’s famous (and Instagram-ready) suspension bridge.
Oribi Gorge, KwaZulu-Natal
Carved out by the flow of the Mzimkulwana River over millions of years, the area is characterised by steep cliffs, verdant growth and a plethora of outdoor activities. But to truly sample this unreal landscape, you’ll need to up the altitude. The Lake Eland Ziplines, situated in a sprawling game reserve, is one of the longest in the world, stretching across 4.5km of glide-ready real estate. Consisting of 14 interconnected lines – some sitting more than 650m above the terrain – you’ll be sliding at some serious elevation, hitting speeds of up to 160km/h. (That’s fast enough to net you a speeding fine on most highways.) Some sections take a massive dip, sending you hurtling across lakes low enough to dip your toes in the water.

Set Out On Foot: There’s more to this game reserve than slipstreams. Head out into the wild and you’ll find a suspension bridge, game drives, and even a fully-kitted paintball arena. Plus, there are three different mountain bike routes to tackle, so it’s worthwhile hauling your ride if you want to rack up some miles in a fresh setting.
Plan It: Situated just two hours from Durban, Lake Eland Game Reserve is an ideal weekend getaway. But we’d recommend a longer stay so that you can squeeze in a few hikes after you’ve conquered the park’s gargantuan zipline. The reserve’s sleeper chalets are encircled by vegetation, giving you privacy and access to some much-needed silence. A family-sized abode will set you back around R950 per night. Bargain? We think so.
READ MORE: 19 Amazing South African & African Eco-Destinations To Visit In 2023
Bodhi Khaya Retreat, Stanford, WC
Practising mindfulness can be a challenge at home – especially when you can’t even shut out the traffic. So, if you’re having trouble finding that coveted zone of eternal zen, it might be worth scheduling a meditation-focused retreat. After all, not only has “om” time been shown to ward off anxiety, and depression and help you get to sleep faster, but an analysis of 57 different studies by Saint Louis University, found that it could also do wonders for your stress levels.
Consider this spot a vaccination shot against workday worries. Bodhi Khaya Retreat, situated just beyond Hermanus in the Western Cape is a hyperbolic mindfulness chamber. (Any Dragonball Z fans?) With daily meditation sessions, yoga classes and feel-good, altruistic pursuits – like the retreat’s reforestation and regeneration project – you’ll tap into tranquility in record time. Catch up on those now easily attainable Z’s by booking one of the many single rooms or cottages available to guests (cottages start from R1 800 per night).
Caledon Hotel & Spa, Caledon, WC
Stress can have a knock-on effect on your body, often spiking your blood pressure and leaving you at risk of some serious health problems. Thankfully, there may be a way to tackle your stress levels and heartaches with one quick soak. A study published in the Journal of Physiology found that passive heat therapy – like lazing in natural hot springs for example – could help lower your blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. What’s more, some research says that a heated hiatus could also help you burn more calories and – if timed right – help you get to sleep faster.

Fire It Up: Just outside of Greyton, a town encircled by mountains, farmlands and the well-known river without end (Riviersonderend) in the Western Cape, you’ll find cascading pools bubbling with 65-degree, heart-helpingly warm H2O. The water has a distinctive brown tinge because of its rich iron and mineral content. Entry to the pools will only set you back around R200, giving you generous hours to let the nature-heated elixir work its magic.
Plan It: Cap off a warm soak with a cold toast to your adventurous spirit with a stay at the Old Potter’s Inn & Brewhouse in Greyton. It’s part bed and breakfast, part brewery – mainlining you with a sweet supply of soft sheets and savoury ales. The inn offers beer tasting from Wednesday to Saturday and rooms start at R940. (oldpottersinn.co.za)
Pilanesburg, Northwest Province

Born from the molten remains of an unerupted volcano, this game reserve was forged by fire. Over millions of years, erosion has eaten away at the landscape to reveal magma-born rock foundations in a series of concentric circles stemming from the failed eruption’s epicentre that now looms over the park. Craig Nicol of Pilanesberg Safaris says the area’s fiery origins have resulted in an otherworldly landscape that’s unique to the province. “It’s also just one of three of its kind in the world,” he adds. Bonus: it’s a short(ish) drive from the major hubs of Pretoria and Joburg.
READ MORE: Tips For Easy Travel
But the park isn’t all rock and roll. Teeming with wildlife, animal sightings are almost a guarantee – so a game drive is almost always worth the price of admission. While you could opt to stay in luxury accommodation on the outskirts of the park, Nicol says that Pilanesberg is best experienced from under a stretched tarp. “You’ll want to spend at least two or three nights in the park,” he says. That’ll give you a chance to camp out watering holes for those dawn and dusk hours when members of the Big 5 are most likely to make an appearance.

That’ll give you a chance to camp out watering holes for those dawn and dusk hours when members of the Big 5 are most likely to make an appearance.
Plan It: If sleeping under the stars isn’t your scene, the Tshukudu Bush Lodge will let you keep your eye on the wild with all the comforts of home – and more. Take up residence in one of its six free-standing chalets where you’ll find sunken bathtubs and leather sofas that’ll help you relax and – if your significant other is in tow – reap the rewards of a romantic getaway, too.
Farmhouse Fitness, Gordon’s Bay, WC
Working off your stress doesn’t mean tapping out on your workouts – especially if you want to bring the heat all year round. Situated in Gordon’s Bay, Farmhouse Fitness is a formidable gym with a twist. Instead of being sequestered between towering highrises and bustling corner stores, the fitness destination is surrounded by vibrant green fields.

The barn-like facility might look rustic from the outside, but step through its giant doors and you’ll find a modern workout space equipped with everything you need to fire on all cylinders. With a variety of boot camp classes that’ll help you torch calories with ease, you can cap your session by soaking in the scenery outside. If you’re looking for more than just a quick fire starter, the facility also offers week-long retreats where staff will take care of your meals, schedules and workout plan so you can sweat it out on autopilot.
Magaliesburg, Gauteng
When you think of Jules Verne’s “Around the World in 80 Days”, what comes to mind? If you’re like me, you probably imagine the industrious traveller Phileas Fogg boarding a hot air balloon at some point during his lengthy roundtrip. The mode of transport has become practically synonymous with the novel and its enigmatic protagonist. However, while he might’ve made use of steamboats, trains and even elephants to complete his journey, Fogg never stepped foot on this fire-powered vessel. We think he missed out.

Float Above the Clouds: Hot air balloons give you the chance to float through the air at lofty heights, granting near-static vantage points of the world below. Where the adventures on the previous page give a similar perspective, there’s little time to relax as you’re always hurtling towards the ground. Above Magaliesburg, a town sitting in the shadow of the Witwatersrand mountain range in Gauteng, you’ll get a chance to tap into traversal tranquillity as you get a birds eye view of the surrounding landscape. AirVentures offers a “classic” flight that’ll float you over the Cradle of Humankind or Magaliesburg (dealer’s choice) while sipping on a glass of champagne.
Plan It: Flights will set you back R2 950 per person (air-ventures.co.za). Situated just over an hour from Joburg, you can sneak in a sky adventure, trail and lunch before heading back to urbanity.
A version of this story appeared in the Sep/Oct 2023 issue of Men’s Health.