10 Ways to Be More Adventurous This Summer!
Being an adult doesn’t mean you can’t have fun anymore! Sure, we have responsibilities and all sorts of admin to sort out but summer is all about letting your hair down and having fun too! This summer, don’t forget to embrace your inner ‘kidult’ and go looking for adventure wherever you can. If you need a little inspiration then keep reading because we’ve got a list of 10 ways to be more adventurous this sunny season.
1. Start at the top
Reach new heights with a skydiving adventure. There are loads of reputable drop zones around South Africa, with first-time divers taking to the skies in a tandem dive where they’re strapped to an experienced instructor.
2. You might as well jump!
South Africa is home to some of the most exciting bungee jumping sites in the world, including the Guinness World Book of Records holder, Bloukrans Bridge, which is 216 metres high. Other great jump sites include Kings Kloof Bridge near Krugersdorp, and Orlando Towers in Soweto.
3. Abseil away
If you want to glide over the landscape, then abseiling should top your list. There are several canopy tour routes across the country, including near Hazyview, near Cullinan, and in the Magaliesberg. If you want to get into it with some lower-key courses, look out for Acrobranch venues across the country, where you can get into this sport with your children.
4. Splish splash
If getting wet is part of the fun for you, consider kloofing or canyoneering, where a rocky stream bed or river is all the hiking trail that you’ll need. You’ll get abseil through waterfalls, slip and slide over boulders, and glide down natural rock slides.
5. Four-wheeled fun!
One of the best ways to see the great outdoors is on a quad bike, with trails taking you over rocks, through mud, over dirt, through water, and possibly along some relatively flat and smooth dirt roads. Your best option is to find a quad biking centre near a nature reserve – you may be able to get in some extreme game viewing while you’re out and about.
6. Ready to rock?
If you’ve always wanted to try rock climbing then visit one of the many rock climbing gyms around South Africa to train for the real thing. Learn how to use your body weight to help you climb vertical – or horizontal rock faces – and find ways to stretch your body and your limits.
7. Just keep swimming
What about white water rafting? There are loads of operators that offer tours, whether it’s on the Crocodile River near Lanseria in Gauteng, or along the mighty Orange River. You may be at the mercy of the racing water, but you’ll come out the other side having conquered one of nature’s most irrepressible forces – rapidly moving water.
8. Like riding a bike
Get back on your bicycle. There’s so much more to cycling than road biking, with mountain bike trails established across the country, and an ever growing choice of stage events to choose from. Even if you’re not Cape Epic-fit, you’ll get a great kick out of events like the Berg and Bush, or even seven-day tours like the Jozi to Kosi event.
9. Paint the town red
If it’s combat style adventure you’re after then why not suit up and try paintball? There are loads of amazing courses on farms around South Africa and you can’t rent all the equipment you need from the paintball centre before hitting the fields. But watch out, this one’s not for sissies!
10. Jump around
Get ready to bounce at South Africa’s indoor trampoline parks. These parks offer loads of trampolining fun with foam pits, slam dunking, and dodge ball. The parks are a great way to work up a sweat and work on your acrobatic skills. For more information on trampoline parks in South Africa, read our articles on Bounce Joburg and Jump Around Cape Town.
List provided by Jeep Gecko Boots. There’s no point getting out there to do all these amazing things if you don’t have the right kit – and while there is certainly some equipment that’s very specialised, your first priority is to make sure that you’re comfortable. It also doesn’t hurt to look good.