Paragliding in and near Johannesburg

Paragliding Adventures

Many people are under the impression that paragliding is jumping off mountains with a parachute or being pulled into the air behind a boat with a parasail. This couldn't be further from the truth. Paraglider pilots fly off mountains, they ... more

With nearly 1200 flying sites scattered across the country, paragliding is becoming an increasingly popular sport in the country. It is the closest a human can get to truly flying like a bird and there could not be a better way to see the countryside. South Africa is an ideal destination for paragliding, for both experienced pilots or the visitor looking to try out this adrenaline-pumping sport.

Cape Town boasts many clubs and schools, and is one of the few places in the country where one can try out paragliding without any previous experience. Tandem flights take off from Lion's Head adjacent to Table Mountain or Signal Hill in the City Bowl. For experienced jumpers, there are dozens of jump sites in and around Cape Town and in the Cape Winelands, and tours are conducted. Schools also offer the opportunity to learn and gain your paragliding license.

For experienced pilots, the mountainous regions of the Drakensberg near Underberg offer several spectacular launch sites. It is also a location of an excellent school which offers package tours to learn to fly.

The province of Mpumalanga, especially the area near the town of Machododorp, also has top launch sites.