Page 419 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

SPECIALINTEREST HOLID A Y S 417

Kloofing (or canyoning) is
an extreme adventure sport
involving boulder hopping
and wading while following
the course of a river. It requires
a good level of fitness and
daring, since it includes long
jumps into mountain pools,
which can be dangerous.
The Mountain Club of South
Africa provides information
for anyone tempted to try
this activity.
Fishing
Hot-air ballooning, for a fabulous view of the game
More than a million anglers
enjoy the local waters, Air Sports commercial challenge of its kind

which are subject to strict Throughout the country there in the world. This is operated by
regulations – enquire at the are opportunities for ballooning, Face Adrenalin, which also
nearest police station. More hang-gliding, microlighting and offers a bridge arch walk of
than 250 species of fish can parachuting. With a good head Bloukrans Bridge.
be caught through fly, line, for heights, there is no finer way
game, surf or reef fishing. to see the land than from the
The merging of the cool basket of a hot-air balloon.
Atlantic and the warm Indian Flights are available at many
oceans off the Southern Cape locations, but some of the most
coast creates the conditions popular are the trips over the
for a high concentration of Winelands or game parks. Early
game fish, including marlin morning or late evening, when
and tuna. Mpumalanga and the thermals guarantee plenty
KwaZulu-Natal offer excellent of lift, are the best times to
trout fishing. Kalk Bay in book. It is important to note
Cape Town has one of the that flights are sometimes
few line-fishing harbours in cancelled due to too much or
the world. too little wind. Given the relative
Almost all harbours and silence of the hot-air balloon, it’s
marinas offer the opportunity a wonderful way of getting a
to join commercial or semi- close view of big game animals.
commercial boats on short trips. Contact Airtrackers for game- Mountain biking in Knysna
In addition, many tour groups, viewing trips in Pilanesberg
including Big Blue Fishing Game Reserve (see p327) and Cycling
Charters in Cape Town and Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon In South Africa even the cities
Lynski Fishing Charters in Safaris for flights over the offer spectacular cycling routes:
Durban, offer fishing charters Magaliesberg Mountains (see at least 35,000 cyclists take
and expeditions. p322) north of Johannesburg. part in the annual Cape Town
Helicopter rides are widely Cycle Tour (the world’s largest
available and are an exciting timed cycle race) around the
way to take in the panorama of Cape Peninsula (see pp122–3).
Cape Town and Table Mountain Cycling organizations such as the
(see pp136–7). It is even possible Pedal Power Association and
to arrange a ride in a Huey Cycling South Africa organize
ex-military helicopter. weekend rides, which often
Paragliding and hang-gliding include off-road routes
courses (contact the South on otherwise out-of-bounds
African Hang Gliding and farmlands. Bikes can be rented in
Paragliding Association) and South Africa from numerous
tandem flights are also popular. outlets in holiday regions such as
Bridge jumping and bungee Cape Town and along the coast.
jumping can be found on the Tour operators can organize a
Garden Route, including the variety of cycling tours – both
spectacular 216-m (709-ft) off-road and on smooth tar –
Sport fishing at Cape Vidal, in the Bloukrans Bungee Jump, which along the Garden Route, for
iSimangaliso Wetland Park claims to be the highest example, and in the Karoo.