Hit the Sky’s and Experience South Africa in a Completely Different Light
What a thing to feel that lift off and see the ground floating far below you. Many of us have flown in big airplanes at one time or another. That knowledge of going to some foreign destination in just a few hours where that same trip overland could have taken weeks or months in the past, it takes your breath away but then again many who fly nowadays don’t even bother to wonder about it as it is just a convenient thing now.
Air travel is a huge industry but there isn’t much adventure involved in it now. For those that like a slight thrill or romance in there lives then this article is for you.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to take a romantic balloon ride as the sun goes down over the African wild plains with a glass of bubbly in your hand as you watch life go slowly by? No then you haven’t lived, many of the national parks have some or other excursions to fly over them in one way or another. The best and most romantic though is by hot air balloon. There are many companies who would take you up but in South Africa the only way to go is to fly with a company that is a SATSA (South African tourism services association) approved member and that the Air service has a valid operating certificate that is issued by the CCA (commissioner for Civil Aviation). One such service provider is Bill Harrop’s original Balloon Safari’s who run there business in and around the Magaliesberg.
If you like things a little bit faster paced then why not try out microlights as an attraction. This can be in the form of a parasail with an engine or with a machine that looks as though it is a hand glider with seats and an engine attached and with the adrenalin pumping and your senses stretched as you soar through the skies then this is a definite adventure for those slight thrill seekers. If you want to become a Microlight pilot then you’ll have to get a MPL and radio operators license. More information can be found at http://www.otto.co.za/micro/micro1.htm.
Another good way to travel is by helicopter. There are a few companies that have tours around Cape Town and a few that do the rest of the country. If you’re interested in doing a helicopter tour around the cape then goes to http://www.uncoverthecape.co.za/outdoors/flying-helicopter-rides/ for information on that and other activities, such as abseiling and parachuting for those adrenalin junkies.
All in all when people say the sky is your limit then they mean just that. With all the above ground activities on offer there is never a reason to say there’s nothing to do.
Tags: Absailing, Flying, Freedom, Hand Gliding, Microlight, Parachutting, Romance, Safari