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Ballooning
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An early morning balloon flight over the Magaliesberg area north
of Johannesburg is dream-like experience as you drift over luscious
valleys and a large lake in a 6 to 10 man balloon and enjoying champagne
in flight.
Balloon trips are also a superb experience over the Pilanesberg
National Park with the thrill of sighting a spectrum of wildlife
including Africa's Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and
buffalo.
Flights are always followed by a sumptuous brunch to celebrate.
Safety and requirements
The balloon company has been in operation for 20 years and has had
over 3000 very happy passengers. A professional and responsible
attitude is adopted by the qualified pilots at all times.
Passengers should be able to climb in and out of a basket and stand
for the duration of the flight. Warm clothing is required for early
mornings.
Variety of flights
Flights over Magaliesberg, north of Johannesburg, or Pilanesberg
National Park. Special game viewing balloon safaris can also
be tailormade to suit your needs.
Best times to go
Available most of the year round but subject to prevailing weather
conditions. Nearly all flights carried out at dawn.
Prices per person
Current
prices range from R2 300 per person per flight.
Please contact Julie
for further details
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Birding
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The contrast of terrain in South Africa from mountains to tropical
forests to desert to savanna make the country an ideal visit for
the avid 'twitcher'. While Southern Africa boasts 10% of the world's
population of birds in 920 species, South Africa can proudly claim
well over 500 of these.
In Kruger National Park
over 500 species exist alone, owing to an incredible diversity of
eco-zones and 200 plant species. The coastal areas in the Western
Cape (Cape Peninsula
and Tsitsikamma National
Park) are home to a variety of their own species, including
sunbirds, Narina Trogon, Black Oystercatcher and Knysna Loerie.
In contrast the mountainous Drakensberg may give you the opportunity
of seeing the rare bearded vulture or 'lammergeier', a raptor entirely
suited to the altitude. The desert region of the Kalahari specialises
in raptors amongst its 260 species of birds, including tawny and
bataleur eagles.
Requirements
A mild degree of fitness as birding will probably be combined with
a guided nature walk. In expected warm temperatures, plenty of drinking
water should be carried.
Variety
There are over 500 species of birds, both resident and migratory.
Included are kingfishers, storks, bee-eaters, egrets, herons, and
numerous raptors including eagles, buzzards and vultures. Special
sightings may include the rare Narina Trogon, black oystercatcher
and the Bearded vulture or 'lammergeier'.
Tailormade birding safaris may be organised with a few renown ornithologists
at top birding locations around the country or other southern African
countries.
Recommended lodges and camps that have excellent birding:
Kruger National Park:
Ngala
Game Lodge, Chitwa
Chitwa Game Lodge, Djuma
Game Reserve, Elephant
Plains Game Lodge, Inyati
Game Lodge, Londolozi
Game Lodge, Selati
Lodge.
Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park: National Parks camps
of Twee Rivieren, Mata Mata and Mana Pools.
Tsitsikamma National Park: Hog's
Hollow Country Lodge
Pilanesberg National Park: Kwa
Maritane Game Lodge, Bakubung
Game Lodge, and Tshukudu
Bush Lodge.
Greater St Lucia Wetland Park:
Phinda
Mountain and Forest Lodges.
Best time to go
The warmer months of October - March are best as resident as well
as migrant birds are around. However it must be noted that there
hundreds of resident species so the dry winter months are also prolific.
Prices per person
Please contact Julie
for current rates and further details
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Bungi Jumping
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> send me holiday options that include bunji-jumping
At 216 m the Bloukrans Bridge bungi is the highest commercial jump
in the world, double the next highest at the Victoria Falls bridge.
There's no experience like it, the build up as you're checked again
and the countdown begins...
Both bridges are on the Garden Route in the Western Cape; Bloukrans
just east of Plettenberg Bay (4 hours from Cape
Town) and Gouritz just west of Mossel Bay.
Safety and requirements
The staff have over 10 years experience in bungi jumping and development
of safety standards for a controlled and safe environment. A full
body harness is used and all attachments are double and triple checked.
Age limit is 18 years old for Bloukrans and 14 years for Gouritz Bridge.
Clients are asked to declare any relevant medical conditions that
may be affected by the jump such as pregnancy, high blood pressure,
heart conditions, neurological disorders, epilepsy and acute or chronic
knee and back disorders. Any person with declared medical conditions
will not be permitted to jump UNLESS a medical certificate approving
the jump signed within the previous thirty days is obtained. The original
is to be handed in on registering at the bridge.
Variety of jumps
An alternative is the Bridgeswing at Gouritz River Bridge where you
experience the freefall then the added dimension of a massive high-speed
pendulum swing.
The tandem special is also very popular on the bridgeswing at Gouritz.
Best time to go
Open all year round.
Prices per person
Please contact Julie
for current rates and further details
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