Page 420 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

418 TRA VELLERS ’ NEEDS

tour operators around the
country, and some of the best
rivers for foamy rapids are the
Vaal River (in Gauteng and the
Free State), Blyde River
(Mpumalanga), and the
Umkomaas and Bushman’s
rivers (both in KwaZulu-Natal).
For the ultimate thrill, cage
diving takes participants as
close to a great white shark as
they would ever wish to be. A
popular venue is Shark Alley,
near the village of Gansbaai (see
p228). Several guests at a time
are lowered from a catamaran in
a steel cage fitted with viewing
ports. White Shark Ventures
offer one- to 10-day tours that
include accommodation and
A close encounter with a great white shark, while cage diving equip ment hire. Apex Shark
Expeditions’ trips depart from
Water Sports
which takes advantage of the Simon’s Town, near Cape Town.
South Africa has 2,500 km country’s abundance of massive They offer the smallest groups in
(1,553 miles) of coastline and sand dunes. the industry (6 to 12 people) and
many rivers. The coast is defined Scuba diving is widely the longest trips.
by a series of points and bays, available – instructors should
and the country has some of be accredited to the National
the world’s greatest surfing, Association of Underwater
which is a hugely popular Instructors (NAUI) or Prof-
pastime. Some of the best spots essional Association of Diving
are at Jeffrey’s Bay in the Eastern Instructors (PADI). South Africa’s
Cape, Muizenberg in Cape best diving site is Sodwana Bay
Town, the Golden Mile in in the iSimangaliso Wetland
Durban and up the West Coast. Park (see p300–301) on KwaZulu-
Wavescape is the leading Natal’s northern coast. This has
authority on the sport and the most southerly coral reef in
publishes daily surf reports, lists the world, teeming with tropical
locations and even runs an fish, turtles, sharks and game
annual surfing film festival. fish. In Cape Town, wreck-diving
Windsurfing and sailing and exploring kelp forests are
are also popular, and many popular activities. Visitors enjoy pony-trekking in Lesotho
resorts rent out equipment. Canoeing on the Orange (see pp272–3)
The beaches are also ideal River in the Northern Cape
for sand boarding, the land- has a growing number of fans. Horse Riding and
based version of surfing, Cape Town-based Amanzi Pony-Trekking
Trails and Umkulu provide Equestrian options range from
transport and both also have spending an hour or two
base camps on the river where ambling through vineyards to
you can park and leave luggage. multi-day wilderness treks.
Two-person inflatable canoes Many private game reserves
are used and nights are spent offer horseback safaris. For
camping under the stars on families, Cape Nature runs
the riverbanks, making for a horse trails in the Goukamma,
gentle and relaxing trip. Anysberg and Marloth reserves
One of the most popular sea- in the Western Cape, as does
kayaking trips in South Africa is Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in the
with Kaskazi Kayaks in Cape uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park
Town, who offer guided tours in KwaZulu-Natal.
along the Atlantic Seaboard Malealea Lodge & Pony-
with the opportunity of Trekking in Lesotho offers a
spotting dolphins and sea birds. real African experience. Guides
Canoeing on the Orange River (see More exhilarating white-water accompany riders through
pp354–5) rafting is offered by a number of unfenced landscapes to see