7 Off-the-Beaten Track Adventures in South Africa

South Africa’s an adventurer’s haven with nationwide trips and activities designed to get your adrenalin flowing. Here’s our bucket list:   

Alexandria Hiking Trail

Alexandria, Addo, Eastern Cape

The spectacularly beautiful Eastern Cape Alexandria hiking trail is the most bio- diverse of all South African trails. It starts in the lush, green indigenous Woody Cape Nature reserve with its abundance of ancient yellowwoods, spectacular coral trees, and prolific bird and animal life.  

The trail then leads you onto the beach where you’re likely to see pods of dolphin and, if lucky, Southern Right whales. Hikers can take a dip in the sea flanking the six kilometres of protected untouched coastline and investigate the wreck of the old-steamer, Nidaros.  

Hikers can then choose between taking a path down the boulder strewn cliff, or setting off across dune fields, accessed by ladder. Both lead hikers to Woody Cape huts, the rest point. Here, nestled amongst aromatic coastal fynbos, in a thick coastal forest at the top of the cliff, you can see bird-island.  

The second day of the trail traverses the sand dunes of the largest coastal dune field in the southern hemisphere. This is home to jackals, duikers, and the endemic hairy-footed gerbil, which bears evidence of the strandloper people. This section of the hike should be tackled in the early morning to avoid the heat of the day. The hike ends in the beautiful indigenous forest.  

Bokpoort Cowboy Ranch horse riding trails

Golden Gate National Park, Free State

The Bokpoort family ranch, established in 1865, is found in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, surrounded by golden, deeply eroded sandstone cliffs. Trail horses are well trained as owners have 21 years expertise in this field.  

Day visitors can book one or two-hour horseback trails, enjoy beautiful mountain scenery and wildlife sightings such as zebras, antelopes, and birds. 

Those who become addicted to this experience can book themselves on the two-day Snowy Hill horse trail. The highlight of this adventure is the 2500 metre, magnificent 360-degree view of the Maluti Mountains stretching into Lesotho. 

Hennops Off-road 4x4 Trail

North West Province, Gauteng

Situated in the North West Province, Gauteng, this 4x4 trail is designed for both first timers and experienced drivers. It includes a wide variety of obstacles including mud-holes, steep rocky climbs, descents, and dongas. Tricky hurdles can be bypassed via detours and service roads by those still sharpening their skills. Sights to further pique your interest while driving include a wide variety of birdlife, kudu, zebra, blou wildebeest, blesbok, and other small animals. 

After the drive, you can enjoy a braai using one of the ten braais in the lapa picnic area where you also find ablution facilities. For exclusivity, you may pre-book a private lapa with three braais.  

Kowie Canoe and Hiking Trail

Port Alfred, Sunshine Coast

The Kowie River Canoe and Hiking Trail are designed for the fit who are able to canoe. This adventure can be completed over a day or two and includes canoeing from the Port Alfred Marina to the 10- kilometre hiking trail near the campsite and a return river journey. Most adventurers prefer to take two days as it is a strenuous trail.  

Check the tides before embarking on your trip because the Kowie River is tidal. It’s best to leave Port Alfred 30 minutes after low tide. Under these conditions, you’ll be able to use the rising tide to help you up the river. Should you decide to paddle into the tide, you’re advised to remain on the edges of the river, out of the main current. You’ll need to remember to carry your canoe onto the bank at night to keep it safe from being swept away by the tide overnight. 

Binoculars are a must for those wanting to enjoy the bird and wildlife and to ensure you spot the fish eagles along the river. 

Tsitsikamma Zipline Tours

Tsitsikamma, Garden Route, Eastern Cape

Get a fresh new perspective of the South African landscape by taking a ten slide, 91-meter zip line canopy tour of the Tsitsikamma indigenous forest.  Although exhilarating, safety is a key focus. Before setting out on your two- or three-hour zip line canopy tour, you’ll be given a safety briefing before being kitted up with full-body harnesses, pulleys, and other equipment.  

Groups are escorted through the forest canopy by a lead guide, who also explains the forest’s ecology. You won’t need to jump or climb during this adventure. 

While zip lining through this enchanted forest, you’ll see the giant Outeniqua yellowwoods, heart pears, giant yellowwoods, tree ferns, vervet monkeys, and other wildlife.

Sodwana Bay diving adventures 

iSimangaliso Wetland Park, KwaZulu Natal

Divers from around the world seeking the best deep-sea diving adventures flock to Sodwana Bay ranked as one of the world’s top diving sites. This UNESCO World Heritage site stretches along the Kwa-Zulu Natal coastline from Lake St Lucia to Mozambique.

Sodwana is renowned for its Big Five game reserve, shipwrecks, hard and soft coral sandstone base, and unique true coral reef structures. You will be enthralled by the 1200 species of fish (83 percent of the world’s marine species), as well as all sorts of invertebrates, turtles, rays, and sharks.  Whale sharks, humpback whales, and ragged-tooth sharks are seen seasonally, and nesting leatherback and loggerhead turtles can be seen from December to February. 

Sodwana Bay experiences predominating current flows from north to south making it a perfect spot for drift diving. Depending on the strength of this current, more than one dive site may be covered during a single dive.

Olifants River Whitewater Rafting

Bethal, Mpumalanga

The Olifants River, which flows through South Africa and into Mozambique, has its origin between Breyten and Bethal in the Mpumalanga Province. This is the spot where river rafting enthusiasts can experience the most thrilling, fun whitewater rafting in South Africa. Average fitness levels are needed to experience these eleven kilometres of adventure. 

Adventurers travel in two-man flexible, inflatable crocs, which handle the pools and drops with ease. You’ll enjoy the flexibility of the boats, which swing slowly into the current as it becomes a series of wave trains, standing waves, pour-overs and holes, all resulting in exciting and unforgettable rafting. 

The best time to go is between the summer months of November and May, but the section is very dependent on the rainy season and water levels so it’s best to check on conditions before setting off for your adventure. The trip is famous for its magnificent mountain scenery which passes through a remote tribal wilderness area, surrounded by spectacular cliffs.

The wilderness is calling, it’s time for you to choose your adventure. Brought to you by Dialdirect Vehicle Insurance and Value Added products.

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