Summary For South Africa Adventures
Overall rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – 4+ adventure travel stars
The recurring theme throughout South Africa is diversity. You’ll find it in the people, the culture and the landscapes.
The diversity of South Africa adventures certainly extends to its adventure travel experiences where you’ll find all kinds of activities to be enjoyed on the land, in the water and in the air.
Safaris are one of the biggest reasons people explore adventure excursions to South Africa, and you’ll find some of the best safari experiences in the world here.
There is a vibrant mix of cultures and lifestyles starting with the indigenous influences and then blending in the contributions from Europe and Asia. You’ll experience the fusion of these cultures in the music, art and cuisine, and it’s this interesting mixture that shapes and inspires this amazing country.
As you travel through this wide-open country you’ll also enjoy breathtaking scenery from the grass filled plains and the rolling hills to the gold-sand beaches and stately mountains.
If you’re a meat lover you’re sure to enjoy the cuisine of South Africa where much of the socializing is done at a “braai” (barbecue). The South African people are a delight to be with because they are kind, upbeat and hospitable, and they have a great sense of humor.
South Africa Adventures – The bottom line: There’s a reason South Africa vacations have been growing by leaps and bound. It’s due, no doubt, in large part to the exceptional mix of incredible adventure travel experiences. South African safaris are among the best in the world.
Exotic Factor
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – 4 adventure travel stars
With the diversity inherent in South Africa comes an exotic atmosphere as you’ll hear many different languages spoken, an interesting mix of tasty and unusual foods placed before you and strange, extraordinary animals roaming the national parks.
Imagine driving along in your Land Rover, fumbling with the CD player and then looking up to see a pride of lions shading themselves under a tree almost oblivious to your presence. As you make your way by a body of water you see crocodiles on the shore, hippos in the water and giraffes off to the side waiting to get a cool drink of water.
When you take a South Africa safari in one of the many national parks – like the well-known Kruger National Park – you can make that adventure dream come true.
South Africa is full of unique, exotic treasures from the many interesting cultures to the mystery and allure of incredible wildlife. You’ll also find gorgeous beaches along deep blue waters filled with fierce and exotic creatures.
Cultural Factor
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ – 4 adventure travel stars
Other countries can boast of their diverse cultural experiences, but few have the depth of you’ll see in South Africa. In fact, this land of many peoples is referred to as the “Rainbow Nation.”
The most common indigenous cultures include the Nguni, Sotho, Shangaan-Tsonga and Venda. There are also two large sub groups of the Nguni, which are the Zulu and Xhosa. For those who enjoy cultural tours you’re going to love South Africa.
The diversity of South Africa also applies to the cuisine. There’s the Cape Dutch cuisine loaded with spices and known for the hot peppers. The Indian cuisine will satisfy your craving for curried dishes, and the Afrikaners contribute delicious stews with lamb or mutton with tomato and onion sauce.
You’ll also find excellent restaurants for most of the major international cuisines, and South Africa has developed an excellent wine industry as well.
Adventure Factor
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 adventure travel stars
South Africa safari tours top the list with some of the finest in all of Africa. If you’re in the market for luxury, try a South Africa luxury safari. You’ll be amazed at the amenities you can have while out in the wild.
For those looking for adventures in the air you can paraglide, bungee jump or go on flying adventures. Scuba diving, sea kayaking and white water rafting are popular water activities, and there are plenty of eco tours, trekking excursions and quad biking tours for the landlubbers.
Just take a look below for a list of more thrilling South Africa adventure travel experiences.
Hard
- Bungee jumping
- Camel riding
- Canoeing
- Dog sledding
- Elephant riding
- Four wheel drive trips
- Hang gliding
- Hunting
- Ice climbing
- Jungle exploring
- Motorcycling
- Mountain biking
- Mountain climbing
- Orienteering
- Overlanding
- Paragliding
- Rappelling
- Rock climbing
- Rogaining (navigation)
- Scuba diving
- Sea kayaking
- Skydiving
- Snorkeling
- Snow skiing
- Soaring (gliding)
- Spelunking (caving)
- Surfing
- Survival training
- White water rafting
- Windsurfing
Soft
- Birdwatching
- Cultural tours
- Eco tours
- Nature trips
- Walking tours
- Whale watching
Could be either
- Backpacking
- Bicycling
- Camping
- Canopy tours / Ziplines
- Fishing
- Flying
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Hot-air ballooning
- Quad-biking / ATVs
- Safaris
- Sailing
- Trekking
- Wildlife watching