The following articles will cover all aspects about South Africa like culture ad heritage, tourism, entertainment and leisure, great journeys, food and wine, nature, safari and wildlife, adventure and sport.

Today let’s discover the adventures.

South Africa has a coastline of 3 000 kilometres along with breathtaking mountains – often side by side. The country’s diverse terrain, together with an ideal climate for outdoor activities makes it the perfect ground for adrenaline seekers.

South Africa offers world-class climbing, surfing, diving, hiking, horseback safaris, mountain biking, river rafting and just about any other extreme activity you can name.

It’s famous for some of the best, and most diverse, rock climbing in the world. The cliffs are big, wild and still being discovered. Cape Town is particularly well endowed, but the action is far from limited to the Western Cape.

River trips range from mostly scenic, but also wild water adventures. The art of canyoning – known as kloofing in South Africa – is another hot favourite. You hike up a rugged river gorge arriving at a series of rock pools at the Kamikaze Kanyon where you can jump from 3 metres to 22 metres high.

There are over a hundred listed paragliding or hang gliding launch sites available. Up in the air you will find many opportunities for helicopter rides, balloon flights, aerobatics, skydiving and micro light flights.

Thousands of kilometres of hiking trails wind around the country in desert, forest, mountain or coastal terrain, many with mountain bike trails adjacent.

There are wonderful easy horse trails through vineyards, on the beach or in the mountains and – for the more adventurous – horseback safaris in big game country.

If it’s a very quick high you’re after, the 216 metre Bloukrans Bridge on the border of the Eastern and Western Cape has the highest commercial bungee jump in the world.

Those who love heights can abseil over crashing waves at the western head at Knysna, hang out a kilometre high over Cape Town, do a combination abseiling and canyoning trip on the Storms River Gorge, or rap jump down buildings in Durban or Johannesburg. You are surrounded by awesome views and the deep blue Atlantic at your feet. Pure adrenaline!

It barely qualifies as part of Africa as the countries are separated by hundreds of kilometers of sea and 165 million years evolution which is long enough for Madagascar’s plants and animals to evolve into some of the weirdest forms on the planet. No other place in the world consist over 70 varieties of lemur, including one that sounds like a police siren, the world’s biggest and smallest chameleons, and the last stomping ground of the elephant bird, the largest bird that ever lived.
Near Ifaty in Southern Madagascar you will see forests of twisted, spiny ‘octopus’ trees. Be on the look out for the carnivorous pitcher plant found around Ranomafana, there are over 60 varieties of them. Not for nothing is Madagascar regarded as the world’s number one conservation priority.
Madagascar consists mainly of a block of crystalline rocks. It is generally described as a plateau, rising sharply from the narrow plain of the east coast and descending in a series of steps to the strip of sedimentary rocks along the west coast. The high plateau is much indented and on the eastern edge, cut by deep gorges and waterfalls. There are numerous volcanic outcrops that produce heights over 6,000 ft (the highest point being Tsaratanan, at 9,450 ft) and two former volcanic areas, Ankaratra and Andringingtra, which are over 8,500 ft.
The eastern coast is almost straight and has very few anchorages. Behind its coral beaches there is an almost continuous line of lagoons from Foulpointe to Farafrandana.

The wildlife is astounding. There are 223 species of amphibians of which 221 are endemic. Out of the 340 species of reptiles, 314 are endemic. 2/3 of the 100 species of true chameleons are to be found on the island. There are some 240 species of birds on the island and half of them are endemic. Perhaps it has the planet’s highest endemic ratio of birds. Five bird families are unique to Madagascar. 97% of its mammals are endemic. There are some 131 species of mammals of which 31 belong to the bat phylum and all of which, except 12, are endemic.
One cannot say how many species of lemurs there are in Madagascar today because between 1997 and 2006 some 15 new species have been found in its forests. The list runs up to 75 species as of now, though some 15 species have gone extinct. Some of these extinct species may have been the size of a gorilla. Today some of the known species are in danger of extinction and others are vulnerable.

The island of Madagascar offers a variety of possibilities for the adventurer and the seeker of new experiences. Every visitor finds the ideal vacation thanks to the different climate and area zones on offer on this fascinating island. Adventure seekers find an excellent area to indulge their pleasures there.
Madagaskar offers great fishing possibilities in Belo Tsiribihina, Morondava, Mitsio island, Nosy Be island, Sakatia island, Sainte Marie island, Ifaty, Anakao and also in Fort Dauphin. These are only the best known.
Great fishing possibilities are offered in Belo. Some anglers who have gone to these regions thought it was a paradise and even an improvement on Mauritius, which is particularly renowned for fishing.
Mountaineering is great in Tsaratanana Mountains, the Tsingy D’Ankarana and the Tsingy de Bemaraha.
Also, discover the grottoes of Andranoboka at Mahajanga, the caves of Andavadoaka at Morombe, the grottoes of Sarodrano at Anakao, at Mahasoabe near Fianarantsoa and many caves in the Tsingy of Ankarana.

Opportunities to go river rafting with a rubber dinghy are offered just the same as tours by dug-out canoe or river steamer. Well known is the adventurous river journey of Miandrivazo to the west coast on the Tsiribihina river.
For fans of horse back riding there is the possibility to hire a horse and to explore and enjoy the area on its back. Best places for this activity are Antananarivo, Antsirabe, Mahavelona, Mantasoa, Tamatave and Ramena
The popular windsurfing is already possible at very many organized sites on Nosy Be and Sainte Marie.
Well-equipped diving centres can be found on the island of Nosy Be, at Sakatia, Sainte Marie, Anakaoa, Ifaty, Belo Tsiribihina and Morondava. The hotels of Sainte Marie and some plants at the coast send boats out with well-informed skippers for whale observation from July till October.
There are many options for wandering and trekking due to the different landscape zones, so that for every taste something is available. Examples of beautiful walks include the Tsingy d’Ankarana, from Apefy to the Lily waterfall, along Canal de Pangalanes in Abohitsara, and the many walks in the separate reservations.
Highly recommended walks are the smugglers path of the Lac Alaotra, the Masoala trek of Maroantsetra, trekking routes in the Isalo National Park and also in the sacred Andringitra mountains where adventurous travellers can climb the Pic Boby which is the second highest mountain of Madagascar and offers some of the best trekking on the island. Explore!

Mozambique features 2500km of pristine beachfront on the mainland, with a number of good natural harbors.
If you love isolated places, conservation, safaris or activities like fishing and diving, keep an eye on the remote Mozambican province of Cabo Delgado, where one of Africa’s most exciting new eco-ventures is taking shape.

In an untouched area, the Cabo Delgado Biodiversity and Tourism Project will offer a rare combination of big game safaris and tropical coastal activities while funding comprehensive conservation and community development initiatives! Cabo Delgado has been declared among its most important African conservation projects.

Mozambique has an exceptional biodiversity, with over 15 different land habitats, including endangered coastal forest. Viable game populations include Elephant, Buffalo, Hippo, Lion, Leopard, Wild Dog and several Antelope species.
A marine survey revealed rare habitats such as sea-grass beds and found coral reefs that are among East Africa’s richest, with diverse fish life and endangered species including turtle, humpback whales, dugong and whale shark. It makes Mozambique one of the world’s most fascinating places for diving and snorkeling.

Mozambique is also a great adventure for 4×4 enthusiasts. There are more than enough 4×4 routes for the rough and tumble brigade although the less adventurous can explore the island in random 2 wheel drive car.
Investment in the road infrastructure has ensured that visitors can now travel further than in the past and is allowing visitors to the country more options for their beach holidays.

Several small island paradises can be found off the coast, including the Bazaruto Archipelago made up of five islands, some of which are protected national parks. The islands offer beautiful beaches, abundant bird and marine life, and lovely coral reefs.
Fishing is world class and includes salt water fly-fishing and big game fishing for marlin and sail fish (tag-and-release)
Over 1200 species of fish have been identified in the coastal waters of Mozambique.

Mozambique has been included in a vast transfrontier park incorporating wilderness reserves in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Called the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, it is the world’s largest reserve and infrastructure for visitors.