The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Adventure Travel

  • by Jacqueline van Strijp
  • 16 May, 2023
When thinking about how to travel sustainably, one of the simplest ways is to take less long-haul flights. But for those travellers who want to witness Africa’s mesmerising landscapes and remarkable wildlife, there are ways to go on eco-holidays in Africa and make your trip more sustainable.
Our Ryan was fortunate enough to be hosted by SATSA (Southern African Tourism Service Association) for a familiarisation trip to Cape Town to gain a better understanding of the adventure offerings in the area.  Read more about her experience here:

Our adventure began at the Hotel Sky Cape Town a 27-storey modernist building that used to hold the title of the city’s tallest skyscraper where we made our way to Witzands Aquifer Nature Reserve with Jeep Tours  a female owned adventure tourism company based in the beautiful Cape Town region of South Africa for a dune adventure second to none.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Atlantis Dunes in an open-top Jeep Wrangler appreciating the beautiful scenery while the experienced drivers took us to the various points of interest. Later on we partook in sandboarding, this is a one of its kind must-do experience and Table Mountain makes for the perfect back drop on a clear day. We were treated to a fantastic lunch while we surfed and laughed from the dune hills of Witzand Aquifer Nature ReserveFrom there, we headed back to our hotel for a very exquisite dinner at the Infinity Restaurant.

The following morning we got geared up in retro leather jackets, goggles, bandanas and helmets with Cape Sidecar Adventures towhizz along the Cape Peninsula in a 1950s sidecar for incredible coastal views. We headed out along the Atlantic Seaboard through suburbs like Clifton and Bantry Bay. With the ocean on the right and the Twelve Apostles mountain range on the left – it’s a beautiful drive. When you’re whizzing along on this noisy, 70-year-old sidecar you get lots of smiles and waves. Many people haven’t been on a motorbike before but within 20 minutes we were all relaxed, laughing and enjoying the ride.

Lunch was served at Fish on the Rocks in Hout Bay,  amongst hovering seagulls and lazing seals.  This time worn establishment is situated on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean with a stunning backdrop of Chapmans Peak and passing fishing boats.

After lunch, we made our way back to the Hotel for our next adventure. We fast tracked up Table Mountain to abseil down one of the 7 Wonders of Nature and as you're lowered into the vortex, the cast blue ocean stretches out before you, and the Twelve Apostles, Lions Head and Camps Bay form a panorama of splendor. The views and the memories of dangling 3200 feet above this beautiful city are not to be missed.

Following that amazing adventure, we made our way to the V & A Waterfront for a Sunset Cruise.  Cape Town has one of the best locations to see the Sunset from the Sea. With the Atlantic Ocean stretching away from the majestic Table Mountain range, this is certainly a ‘must do’ cruise for locals and tourists alike. I can't think of a better way to end the day.

Being an adventure fanatic, I have strong opinions about sustainable travel and how sustainable adventure travel can advance society. As a result, it's important for us to comprehend the many activities and services we provide, as well as how we can use them to disseminate sustainability awareness.

The next day we enjoyed a guided Sea kayaking paddling experience from the V & A Waterfront with Waterfront Kayak.  There are certain moments in life that are hard to describe. Watching a school of dolphins power through the deep blue water beneath your kayak, just centimetres from your awaiting fingertips, is one of them.  This is just one of the wonders that lie in store for those who choose to venture out into the open sea and paddle along the coastline.  We all took a plunge in the Atlantic Ocean to seize the moment.

Drenched we made our way to Ferryman’s Irish Tavern  for lunch the original Waterfront tavern, is a popular local spot for mediterranean food, tapas and daily live entertainment. This historical old locomotive shed has been carefully converted, preserving the quarried bluestone, the Oregon wooden beams and the solid teak pillars. 

The next day we drove to Trail’s End Bike Hotel situated in Grabouw, Africa’s first bike hotel this is the perfect base to relax, have fun and explore all the delights the Overberg has to offer. Whether you’re hungry to catch some air on ther scenic trails, find your next adventure, sample some of the country’s finest beverages or unwind after a week wrapped up in the city life – you’ve come to the right destination.  With limitless routes, a museum, and a pool to cool off, this four-star hotel  is a dream come true for any cyclist.

In the evening we joined around the fire to hear from several vendors about their incredible products that support this amazing industry, which was followed by an authentic african braai!

Before the break of day we traveled to Cape Canopy Tour to zipline more than 100 meters above the ground. This is arguably one of the most exhilarating experiences the Elgin Valley has to offer. Just imagine the thrill of swooping from platform to platform suspended via super-strong cables, soaring across breathtaking valleys and waterfalls.

There is good reason why more than 85 000 visitors to the Cape Canopy Tour have experienced the adrenaline of gliding from platform to platform. The 13 cliff-side platforms, built masterfully into the mountainside allow you to soar above the very heart of a previously inaccessible ecosystem, a World Heritage Site within Cape Nature’s Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve.

My time in Cape Town was brief yet full of adventure and sharing insights with other people seeking to see the growth of our lovely South Africa has been such a heartfelt moment.

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