SOFT ADVENTURE/DAY TRIPS
South Africa offers abundant experiences for those SOFT ADVENTURE lovers. There are many choices to make, offering something for everyone. The Western Cape ie Cape Town area offers so many different options. There again so does the Natal/Kwa Zulu area. What we have below are some ideas for various activities. We also offer Soft Adventure packages along the Garden Route, as well as Walking Safaris which is a incredible experience. These Safaris can be from Luxury or more basic Camping facilities.
Beaches:
Not exactly a soft adventure, but South Africa has beautiful beaches offering something for everyone.
Scuba diving and Snorkelling
Accredited dive schools offer courses from novice to instructor level, and hire gear at various centres in the Western Cape.. Qualified scuba divers can swim freely with rays, ragged tooth sharks and turtles -
Waterskiing, Wakeboarding, Parasailing
Waterskiing
Waterskiingis possible wherever there are facilities to launch boats, both inland on dams and along the coast. Favourite spots are at Grainger Bay, Langebaan Lagoon, Gordon's Bay, Hermanus, Theewaterskloof Dam, Misverstand Dam.
Surfing
If your ambition is to surf the best waves in the world, you’ll just have to come to South Africa. We have it all, from cute little beach breaks that 6-year-olds could learn on, to gnarly bone-crunching monsters that can compare with anything in the world. And, best of all, we have a whole lot in between, including some fantastic little bays where the backline just rolls in and the sea looks like corduroy to the horizon.
Cape Town is one of the best spots to base yourself, as the shape of the peninsula and the different prevailing winds and swells ensure that there is almost always something surfable. Further up the coast, you’ll find some legendary spots.
Jeffreys Bay (J-Bay) is probably the most popular surf destination on the coast, which is not surprising as there are some awesome waves, including the iconic Supertubes. Close by is the small town of St Francis Bay, where Bruce’s Beauties (officially one of the top ten waves in the world) works, when it feels like it – and when it does, you can follow the pilgrimage from J-Bay.
Port Elizabeth doesn’t have anything to match J-Bay but it’s a nice town with some cool waves, and it’s worth stopping in en route further up the coast. Your next stop could be Port Alfred, or Kowie, as the locals call it. Take a walk down to the pier and, if it’s working, go wild. If it isn’t, head off to East London. This sleepy little town has some of the best and most consistent waves in the country.
You might then want to head off to Durban, which is surf city deluxe. But, between East London and Durban is the Wild Coast (take heed of the name). Here you will find deserted white beaches with breaks you only ever dreamed of – and no hamburger stands, no freshwater showers, no parking. And no directions to get there. This is pioneering territory, and if you’ve got the time and the attitude, spend a week or two exploring here. But if you want to do the Wild Coast the easy way, head off to Coffee Bay, which offers fantastic surf without the hassle. A tarred road runs all the way and there is a really cool backpackers, which is filled with surfers (and run by a surfer of note). If you like slightly more comfortable accommodation, there is a lovely little hotel (but it doesn’t have the surfers).
Well, so much for the detour. Now how about Durban. There’s not much to say. There is almost always surf, sometimes absolutely awesome surf, and the beach is right in the town. If there are no waves, there should be something close by on either the North or South Coast. And if there really is nothing surfable, you can visit the country’s only surf museum – right on the beach.
If you look at a map of South Africa, and you’re of an analytical nature, you’ll notice a huge gap in the above description – the whole of the West Coast. Hmm. Definitely an oversight. There is some awesome surf on this, kinda bleak, but wonderful, coast. (And the water is not exactly warm.) Best spot to try is Elands Bay – only a few hour’s drive from Cape Town.
Outer Kom, Misty Cliffs, Jeffreys, St Francis Bay , Bay of Plenty etc- surfing spots known throughout the world by those who seek the ultimate wave. We offer Surf vacations please enquire
Boardsailing and Kite surfing
Wind speeds of 30 knots on inland waters like Sandvlei, Zeekoeivlei, Rietvlei and Langebaan Lagoon often occur in the summer months, in the Cape Town area, making ideal conditions for speed sailing. Just don't wipe out! Best-known spots for wave jumping - just off Milnerton, Big Bay at Bloubergstrand, Langebaan Lagoon. Why not try kite surfing if you're not already hooked - best at Milnerton, Big Bay.
Sea Kayaking, Paddleskiing, Surfskiing, Canoeing
There are few sights more spectacular than watching the sun rise as you paddle leisurely from Three Anchor Bay in the Cape Town area.. Seals and dolphins cavort around you, and more often than not, at the right time of the year, you will encounter whales gently basking.
Yachting
During the summer months, the prevailing wind is from the South East, which presents ideal sailing conditions along both coasts and in False Bay. Enjoy a leisurely sail from Table Bay to Clifton, anchoring off 4th beach, or join the Wednesday night sailors at Royal Cape, Hout Bay and Simons Town Yacht Clubs for an evening of fun. In December, top yachts from all over the country battle for Handicap honours in Telkom Week - the best vantage points are Grainger Bay, Mouille Point and Signal Hill. The popular West Coast Cruise takes place after Christmas from Port Owen.
Powerboating
Nothing beats the exhilaration of flying over waves, the taste of sea spray, with the wind blowing away all the cobwebs. Launch at Grainger Bay, Three Anchor Bay, Hout Bay, Gordon's Bay, Hermanus, Langebaan, all along the Garden Route resorts, and up the West Coast.
Golf
With over 400 Golf Courses, there is something for everyone. We offer a variety of Golfing vacations see our Cruise, Spa and Golf section
Hiking
South Africa offers more than 300 hiking trials, including the BLYDE RIVER CANYON, the Third largest Canyon in the World.The Drakensbeg Mountains has beend elacred a United Nations Heritage site.There is no better way to experience wild places than to put your boots on and put your feet on the ground, one in front of the other. We have some awesomely wonderful, fantastically scenic hiking trails. Some highlights follow (there are so many this is going to be hard, but I'll try).
The Otter Trail along the Tsitsikamma coast is probably the most popular hike in the country. Lush forests, rugged shorelines, mountain streams and waterfalls and fragrant fynbos together make this a really special one. It is pretty strenuous with lots of ups and downs, but the distances are not enormous.
If you want the scenery and walking with a bit less slog and a lot more luxury, you have to try the Dolphin Trail. It traverses similar terrain to the Otter (in fact if joins up with it) but instead of staying in hiking huts, you stay in fully catered guesthouses with wonderful views and excellent cuisine. Your pack, of course, is transported to your next overnight spot by vehicle and you carry only a daypack with lunch, water, camera and a swimsuit. Now that's hiking with a difference.
You can do a similar thing on the Wild Coast in the Eastern Cape. Once part of the nominally independent bantustan of the Transkei, this coast is so beautiful. It's very different to Tsitsikamma - miles of deserted beaches and then perhaps a small community. You may come across a young herdboy following his charges as they wander onto the beach for who knows what bovine purpose. And you stay in coastal hotels instead of huts. Accommodation is not quite up to the standard of the Dolphin Trail and the usual is to carry your pack, but you can arrange to have it driven around, if you plan ahead.
For any purists out there wrinkling their noses up at this, don't worry. There are miles and miles of unspoiled hiking trail traversing high mountains, deserts and forests where the accommodation is the usual hiking hut, and the cuisine whatever you decided to carry with you.
For an even wilder experience, you can hike for days in the Cedarberg, near Cape Town, or the Drakensberg in KwaZulu-Natal, without seeing a hut or a route marker. These are designated wilderness areas and you simply take a map and a permit and set off, sleeping under the stars or in convenient caves.
Of course, the most important aspect of a hiking trail is that you don't constantly bump into other people - that really would defeat the object. And the only way to ensure that is to limit numbers, so that means you have to book. You really have to.
Day hikes, Camping & Picnicking
Cape Town has so much to offer in the way of Scenic Day Hikes.. including Wildflower walks at different times of the year..The Garden Route and the Drakensberg in Natal offer beautiful walking/hiking in different types of terrain
Cycling & Mountain Biking
MTB heaven! There are so many fantastic trails it will just blow you away.
Around Cape Town there are some wonderful single track routes on the mountain and in the pine plantations. You could also do an escorted trip – choose between a nice downhill run on Table Mountain, a dirt-road doddle through the Constantia winelands and an on-road cycle in the Cape Point section of the Cape Peninsula National Park.
The scenic De Hoop National Park near Swellendam, up the East Coast from Cape Town, has a number of dedicated, easy trails. There are a few pretty hardcore trails near Swellendam, and then onto the Garden Route, which is just fantastic.
There are four superb, laid out circular tracks in the Harkerville Forest, ranging from mellow to a hectic red route. And nearby are two long, quite strenuous linear trails, Homtini and Petrus se Brand.
Local and international visitors alike agree that the last 6km of Petrus se Brand is the most fun single track ever – moderately steep and with a soft forest floor, it snakes between some big old trees.
Port Elizabeth has a number of dedicated trails, including one traversing a green belt, which cuts right through the middle of the city.
An annual MTB race on the Wild Coast set a precedent for pedalling this fantastic area. KwaZulu-Natal has its share of routes, with many great ones in the Drakensberg or the Midlands. The Free State has some of the most hectic trails and often has competitions - there's one called the Two Mountains Race, which should give you an idea of what you'd be in for. And, of course, Johannesburg has a huge active MTB population so there are a lot of trails nearby.
Many of these urbanites head out to the wonderful trails in Mpumalanga, where you'll find lots of opportunity to get down and dirty.
South Africa is a great place for bikepacking. The most popular areas are the Garden Route, Mpumalanga and the West Coast, but you could buy a good map and cycle many areas, either on or off road.
Walking Safaris/wilderness Trail
Seeing big animals from the security of a safari vehicle is pretty exciting. In fact, it’s very exciting. But it is nothing compared to standing on your own two feet, deep in the bush, miles from the nearest road and vehicle, and getting a close-up view of a black rhino. Or an elephant, or a giraffe, a zebra or an impala.
Once you have stood in the silence, hearing only your own heartbeat, and surrounded by the scent of crushed turpentine grass, in the middle of a wilderness area, you will begin to have an idea of what the world was like when it was young. And innocent. And intimidating.
All walking safaris are undertaken under the direct supervision of armed rangers and trackers and no unnecessary risks are taken. So, yes, although it sounds adventurous to be on foot only metres from a pride of lions, your experienced trackers will utilise all their skills to ensure you don’t. But, the beauty – and the risk – of the bush is that anything can happen. Truly – this is one way to experience Africa as few people have.
The most popular areas for wilderness trails are the game parks of KwaZulu-Natal and the Kruger National Park, where there is a choice of seven different trails, each with its own special character and attractions.
The list goes on.....
Horse riding
4x4 trails
Helicopter flips
Horse racing
Rock Art
If you like a active vacation please let us know
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