Adventurous Southern Africa Tour

Today, get ready for a bird’s eye view of the city. After breakfast, you’ll travel to the 2,195 foot-high Lion’s Head mountain, part of the iconic Table Mountain range. Prepare yourself for breathtaking scenery and wide-open vistas as you get strapped to your tandem paragliding pilot. Your instructor will brief you on the upcoming jump, and then before you know it you’ll be running down a slope. Experience a rush of adrenaline as you get swept up into the air. Once airborne, soar amongst the clouds and feel the wind in your hair as your pilot takes care of all the hard work. Enjoy your unique view of white sand beaches, rolling waves, and the concrete jungle of Cape Town spread out before you. Make sure you scan the ocean for signs of life - you might see dolphins and whales in the right season. Then before you know it, you’ll be preparing to return to earth for your landing.

Make sure you grab a hearty breakfast this morning, as you’ll need your energy for the day’s action-packed activities. You’ll begin on a guided awe-inspiring hike up Table Mountain using the region’s most popular, and direct, route - Platteklip Gorge. The Platteklip, or flat rock, route was first used to ascend Table Mountain more than 500 years ago. As you climb this historic path, make sure to be on the lookout for the mountain’s fynbos - local indigenous vegetation, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Watch out for local residents like red-wing starlings and dassies (or rock hyrax), a small mammal believed to be related to the elephant. On the summit enjoy superb panoramic views of the Cape peninsula and city bowl. After some free time, you’ll descend the mountain by cable car for the day’s next big adventure – a mountain biking tour. Feel the wind tugging at your hair as you race down sand paths alongside the majestic Table Mountain, and when you stop to catch your breath, gaze upon the spectacular views of the ‘Mother City,’ the affectionate local name for Cape Town. No matter what type of rider you are, this unique tour caters to all experience levels and offers an exciting and downright fun afternoon.

Today, you head into the Cape Winelands - heralded as South Africa’s world famous wine-making district. You’ll be taking in the sites from a uniquely distinctive vantage – horseback. Hear the thunder of hooves across the dirt as you explore the area’s local vineyards, which are framed by a backdrop of awe-inspiring mountains. Take in this rich, natural beauty before visiting a nearby orchard, then head up beyond the tree line to observe the multicolored fynbos. The tour caters to both advanced and beginner riders, so whatever your skill-level, you are sure to have a good time exploring the South African landscape. Round off the experience with sundowners before stopping in at a local gourmet restaurant for a delectable dinner.

Today, you leave Cape Town to travel to the scenic coastal town of Langebaan - known as the ‘jewel of the West Coast.’ The charming town borders the popular Langebaan Lagoon which draws tourists to its clear blue waters and white sand beaches. It’s here that modernity and nature live hand in hand. More than 300 species of birds call the picturesque lagoon home, and seasonally southern right whales can be sighted off the coast. The coastal winds and safe, flat lagoon waters provide ideal conditions for kitesurfing. It’s here, in the waters of Shark Bay (named after its harmless sand-sharks), that you’ll be spending your day trying your hand at this popular watersport. Pull on your wetsuit, wrap on your waist harness, grab your board and kite, and you’re ready to hit the water. Your instructor will be there to show you the ropes. Once you are strapped in, you’ll soon see why Langebaan provides the ideal learning conditions for this rapidly growing sport. In the evening tuck into a well-deserved meal from one of the various town restaurants before turning in for the night at your tranquil hotel.

After breakfast, you return to Cape Town to board your flight for the town of George. From here you’ll be transferred to the picturesque Plettenberg Bay, known locally as “Plett”, part of South Africa’s spectacularly beautiful Garden Route. Today, you’ll be pushing the limits for the ultimate rush. You’ll have the privilege of enjoying the views from a unique perspective - the air - with a thrilling tandem skydive over one of the world’s most awe-inspiring drop zones. After a short briefing, you’ll board a plane and climb to 10,000 feet. As you edge toward the opening, and the swirling clouds below, it’s now or never…then, suddenly, the plane is gone and cool air tugs at your clothes. The pure thrill of the 35-second free fall, where you reach speeds of 125 mph, will surely be the biggest rush of your life. Your body will be coursing with adrenaline, but you needn’t fear, as your jumpmaster will be in complete control. Enjoy panoramic views of the Plettenberg Bay coastline before gliding in for a soft landing. After your exhilarating experience, regain your breath in the tranquil surroundings of your evening accommodation.

Today’s adventures provide the chance to explore the rugged coastline and nearby Tsitsikamma National Park. First, discover the sights and sounds of the Indian Ocean as you board a surf ski (sea kayak) for a two-hour guided voyage past some of the area’s best sights. After a brief safety talk from your experienced guide, your adventure begins. Select your surf ski, or beginners can select an extra-stable craft, and launch into the waves. As you get into the rhythm of paddling, look out for ocean residents like mackerel and dolphins. Sometimes seals play around the kayaks and southern right whales breach nearby during the right season. One thing is sure - you’ll return to the beach feeling recharged by the sea air. Back on dry land, you’ll travel to the mountains of the Tsitsikamma (or “place of much water”) for an eco-adventure. Here you’ll wiz along a cableway with intersecting platforms for this afternoon’s alternative jaunt: a waterfall zip-line tour. Enjoy the beauty of the indigenous flora and fauna as your guides lead you down eight zip lines, sometimes 20 stories high, through a river gorge and over three waterfalls, in the very heart of nature.

You’ll leave early for a flight to the town of Hoedspruit this morning. Upon arrival, you’ll be collected to visit the 13,000-hectare Kapama Game Reserve, home to Africa’s Big Five. It’s here that you’ll embark on the experience of a lifetime – you’ll meet Africa’s largest mammal for a unique elephant safari. Enjoy views of the savannah as you search the plains for the majestic elephants. After an unforgettable morning, you’ll be transferred to your lodge, which looks out onto the majestic Drakensberg mountain range. Relax on your terrace which offers superb, and safe, views of the surrounding game reserve. As the sun lowers in the sky you’ll enjoy sundowners before returning to search the African bush – this time for its nocturnal inhabitants.

Awaken early to the sounds of the African bush, before enjoying a morning game drive. After enjoying your South Africa safari, you’ll depart for Nelspruit Airport and fly to the town of Livingstone, in Zambia. You’ll be staying at Zambezi accommodation, which borders Victoria Falls National Park and is literally on the doorstep to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" or the “Smoke that Thunders”, the 354-foot-tall falls are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Today, you will experience the falls up close as you tour the network of bridges and observation points spanning the crest of the waterfalls. The sounds of the falls roar from the gorge through the treeline of the surrounding forests and birds soar between the spray that you can feel if you get close. You can also walk amongst the wildlife that wanders through the trees on trails weaving in between the viewing platforms closer to the base of the waterfall. The experience is like no other, rewarding you with close encounters of the renowned natural water feature.

The mighty Zambezi River awaits you today. These waters are world renowned for one popular watersport: white water rafting. The steep gradients, rapids and large drops of the river offer an adrenaline-fuelled day of adventure. As you raft along the thrilling white water (which reaches grade 5) be enthralled by the specular scenery, from rugged terrain to thick vegetation. You’ll be provided with all your rafting gear, including helmets and lifejackets, and before entering the white water your crew of eight will receive training from an experienced skipper.

Today, you leave for home. Take one last walk down to the thundering falls and gaze in wonder at the world’s biggest curtain of falling water. As you step onto your plane to return home (international flight not included) reflect back on your trip. In the past few days, you have experienced more adrenaline-packed adventures than most people could ever hope for in a lifetime.