Outdoor Activities in Johannesburg

Outdoor activities in Johannesburg can only be described with one word- unlimited! Whether you take to the skies, the water, or stay on the ground, the amount of activities to choose from is mind-boggling. Activities include horse back riding while viewing game, clay pigeon shooting, archery, ice skating, skate boarding, endurance off road tours on dirt bikes, racing in an F1 car, to being taught how to handbrake turn in a 2 seater V8.

Hire a Harley Davidson or BMW motorbike, and go on your own tour. Fly in a combat jet, or charter a helicopter, why not try your hand at  sky diving, hang gliding, or parachuting- all less than an hour away from Sandton.

Bungee jumping at the first bungee site in Gauteng with a 50m drop, or a slightly shorter jump at 45m, or if you would like five hours of pure fun, foefie sliding, abseiling, and bridge-swinging, the Sports park has it all to offer, as well as various water sports, like cable water- skiing, scuba-diving, and jet-skiing. Nearby water sports include white water rafting, kayaking along the Crocodile or Vaal rivers, boating, kite boarding, fishing, surfing, wake boarding and tubing, are just some of the water fun to be had at Sun City’s Waterworld. Dragon boat races are becoming increasingly popular as a corporate team building event.

 Elephant back safaris in the malaria free zone of the Pilansberg Game Reserve, and having lunch with these gentle giants, or going for an elephant back safari at the Elephant Sanctuary with dinner as an optional extra, visiting Heritage sites like one of the oldest mine shafts in South Africa, namely the  Old Kromdraai Gold Mine, or the Sterkfontein Caves which is 2 billion years old situated in an area known as the Cradle of Humankind.

If its animals you want to see, and haven’t the time to go to a Game Reserve, there are plenty of animals to be found at the Lion Park, just outside of Sandton, which is home to lions, including white lions, cheetahs, leopards, antelope, wild dog, and hyenas, or visit Hartebeespoortdam, about an hours drive away,  where the amount of activities make it worth while spending more than just a day- the longest monocableway in Africa allows you uninterrupted views of the beautiful Hartebeespoortdam.

With tranquil surroundings offering paragliders and hangliders a chance to soar with the endangered Black Eagle, or spotting a Fish Eagle or White-Backed Vulture, Hartesbeespoortdam also offers you the chance to visit traditional villages, with dances and African food from around the continent to sample. Ferry boat cruises or party cruises on the dam can also be arranged.

The zoo exhibits lions, tigers, panthers, cheetahs, to name a few, and is also world renowned for its breeding campaign for endangered species. There is also a Snake and Reptile Park, with the finest reptile collection in South Africa. Close by, cave rappelling or mountain climbing or biking can be done in the oldest mountain range in Africa,  the beautiful Magaliesberg, where canopy tours( which have you safely suspended by ropes high above the tree tops), looking down at fauna and flora, can leave you feeling breathless.

Fly fishing in the nearby Magaliesberg River, quad biking, or overnight 4x4 trails are also on offer.  Tranquil yet exhilarating, hot air ballooning is another favourite in this area. Abseiling into a cave, or abseiling down the mountain’s magnificent face, are all on offer with professional guides, and all equipment is supplied. Whatever your choice of outdoor activity, they’re all just a telephone call away-please note that most activities need to be booked in advance.

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