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Paragliding over Cape Town (South Africa)

Paragliding over Cape TownParagliding over Cape Town

When we started travelling full time 16 months ago one of my goals was to do more things outside of my comfort zone. Paragliding was one of those things.

Cape Town is the perfect place for paragliding. I booked with a couple of days in advance and waited. Lissette kept asking me “Are you nervous? You don’t look nervous. Why aren’t you nervous?” I can’t explain it but I didn’t feel at all nervous in the days leading up to the flight.

In fact, the only time during the flight itself that I ever got nervous was when Sammi handed me the controls and let me fly. You can probably see me tighten up on the video. Overall however, it was a glorious experience with incredible views that I wish I could do again.

 


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I really liked Sammi. He was enthusiastic from the moment I met him. Great energy and I laugh looking at the video because you see a smile on his face the whole time. He’s from Iceland and if he’s any indication of the people of Iceland we’ll have to go there one of these days.

 

 

 

Some information

– Book your paragliding adventure here. Make sure to pre-book, it’s a popular activity and might have to wait a few days for an availability. The meeting point is either Lion’s Head or Signal Hill – it depends on the winds on a given day.
– The flight can take anywhere between 7 and 20 minutes depending on the winds. I think my flight was probably in the 7-8 minute range. It wasn’t cheap considering the length of the flight but it was one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that you have to do.
– Meeting point: Either the Lion’s Head parking area or Signal Hill parking area. Both are on Signal Hill Drive.


Fantastic experience!

 


Would you do it? What’s the most extreme thing you’ll ever done?

 


 

 

Related: 15 Things to Do in and around Cape Town

Related: Hiking India Venster up Table Mountain

Related: Our Top โ€œTravel Experiencesโ€ over the last 10 years

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Filed Under: AFRICA, SOUTH AFRICA

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Joanna

    December 12, 2016 at 8:16 am

    If only I have the courage to do paragliding! that looks fun and the views are spectacular!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      December 12, 2016 at 8:26 am

      I think Cape Town probably one of the best places for someone who’s never tried paragliding. Was just a great experience.

      Reply
  2. Dana Carmel

    February 11, 2016 at 2:21 pm

    I actually would’ve thought that the cost would be more (not that it’s cheap, but I expected worse). You’re very brave. I’m afraid of heights so there’s no way I could’ve done it although it looks fun. With that said, I did go parasailing in Maui with my dad, so go figure. I guess I felt better being tied to a boat.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      February 11, 2016 at 5:35 pm

      I’m not a water lover, actually makes me more nervous the idea of being pulled by a boat, especially when starting off…I guess we all have our fears ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  3. Irene

    February 2, 2016 at 12:58 pm

    Aaah, this look so cool! I’d love to try paragliding one day. Everyone talks about sky diving or bungee jumping, but this looks far more relaxing (plus you actually get to enjoy the view). Your posts really made me want to visit South Africa – it looks amazing!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      February 2, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks Irene. South Africa is amazing and I’m already planning on coming back and seeing more of the rest of Africa as well.

      Reply
  4. Tom

    January 22, 2016 at 1:47 pm

    Tried sky diving and bungee. Sky diving is awesome.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      January 22, 2016 at 2:04 pm

      Sky diving next on my list! If I do that I don’t feel the need for bungee jumping ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  5. Jane

    January 6, 2016 at 12:38 am

    You certainly are escaping out of your comfort zone! Sounds like so much fun too, keep the posts coming!

    Reply
  6. Paula

    December 15, 2015 at 1:14 am

    My jealousy grows! Wow, what an experience, so worth the money. And, of course, you have to purchase the video – very helpful when senior moments kick in… later in life ๐Ÿ˜‰

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      December 15, 2015 at 6:15 am

      Thanks Paula! So you’d do it? Yeah, have to get the video, I may never do that again.

      Reply
  7. Andrew

    December 7, 2015 at 12:42 pm

    i think the price isnt too bad. 18 bucks for the photos totally worth it though – they came up really well and capture an unforgettable experience brilliantly

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      December 7, 2015 at 5:52 pm

      It’s something I may never do again – so I’m quite happy to have gotten it on video ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Reply
  8. Sand In My Suitcase

    November 29, 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Good for you, Frank, for going hangliding! Though we’d be like Spanky – sitting out on this one :-). The views sure look amazing though…

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 29, 2015 at 4:45 pm

      I know not your style…you guys too busy lounging around and sipping on cocktails on luxury yachts ๐Ÿ™‚ I think Spanky would rather be hanging out with you.

      Reply
  9. Nong Khai Silverback

    November 28, 2015 at 6:24 am

    Okay, we’re changing your name to flyboy. You were neither safe nor or sound mind but you lived to tell about it. Way to go; I’ll have to try it one day soon. When you return to Nong Khai I’ll send you scuba diving in the Mekong River while I safely watch from dry ground. That proves how daring I am.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 28, 2015 at 10:56 am

      I’m not a water person at all – I’d have to say no to the scuba diving…somehow I don’t think I would see more than a foot in front of me in the Mekong.

      Reply
  10. Nancy

    November 28, 2015 at 1:19 am

    You did something most people only dream of doing. And its impressive how well your photo’s turned out while swinging around in the atmosphere. I’m thinking if you could do it so can I!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 28, 2015 at 10:57 am

      Great! If I can do it then many others can certainly do it! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  11. Barry

    November 27, 2015 at 8:08 am

    Wow, Frank, this looks great! Tried bungee jumping but never been paragliding. It’s on the list now….

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 27, 2015 at 3:13 pm

      Bungee Jumping something I don’t know if I could do. They have one of the highest in the world though not far away on the Garden Route. I’m almost tempted to at least go watch people do it.
      Thanks for taking the time to comment Barry! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  12. Patti

    November 26, 2015 at 8:33 pm

    I actually paragliding off the back of a boat in Mexico. I landed on the beach and promptly threw up. I can’t believe I even did it because I have a wicked fear of heights, but I think being attached to the boat allowed me to somehow convince myself I could do it. Once was enough, thank you.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 26, 2015 at 8:36 pm

      Oh well, you did it once and if anyone asks you can say you did it.
      So I guess you won’t be skydiving anytime soon? ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
      • Patti

        December 16, 2015 at 2:05 am

        Not in this lifetime. I don’t even like to fly inside of a plane!

        Reply
        • Frank (bbqboy)

          December 16, 2015 at 5:26 am

          That’s ok, for all her big talk Spanky ended up bailing out of the idea…

          Reply
  13. Kemkem

    November 26, 2015 at 6:48 pm

    I know everyone is pulling for Spanky to try it, so l will leave it at that. I come from a place where we try not to push our luck.. ๐Ÿ™‚ , so l would never try anything like that, no matter how safe it is. I do understand going outside of your comfort zone, but l will stick to trying frog legs or something like that, l will leave this to braver souls like you ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ ๐Ÿ™‚ .

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 26, 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Hehe. I bet if they did a study they’d find that more people die chocking on frog legs then paragliding! What do you think of that huh? ๐Ÿ™‚
      But thanks, it’s better than some other people telling us horror stories then finishing off with “I hope Spanky does it”.
      Spanky appreciates you looking out for her well-being. You guys would get along great.

      Reply
  14. Tony

    November 26, 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Phenomenal Frank ! Fantastic trip – and video production … video captures the sensations in no way that photos can… and goes especially well with the perfectly appropriate music. When you are up on the Garden Route there are several great paragliding sites and outfits, one of the ‘easiest’ (not nearly as spectacular as CT though…) being up above the Wilderness (believe they are somewhat cheaper too) Would make a terrific Xmas present for Lissette ? Go Lissette Go !!!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpInN2A8jR0

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 26, 2015 at 5:13 pm

      Thanks so much Tony. Actually our new Icelandic friend Sammi mentioned paragliding in Wilderness and said that if interested I could take a 2-day paragliding course and get a certificate of some sort. I don’t think I’d do that. But if cheaper I would for sure do it again now that I’ve lost my virginity…

      Reply
  15. Elizabeth Hampton

    November 26, 2015 at 11:58 am

    That is so awesome! Cape Town is so beautiful! I really wanted to try it here in Brazil but I’m afraid of heights. Just when I had finally talked myself into trying it, we met a Brazilian couple in Rio that told us a horrible story about their friend that went paragliding. Long story short they survived and are fine, but the story really freaked me out! But your video makes it look really fun and not tha scary at all! I hope Lissette tries it! I may gather up the courage at some point.

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 26, 2015 at 5:10 pm

      “Horrible story” and “I hope Lissette tries it” isn’t really the greatest combination. Thank you so much Elizabeth. Yeah, thanks.
      The difference is that here in Cape Town it’s professional A+ and from talking to many people there are no bad stories out there. In Brazil – based on our experience there – well, I’ll leave that unsaid….

      Reply
      • Elizabeth Hampton

        November 27, 2015 at 6:33 pm

        Ha ha! I didn’t mean that I hope something horrible happens to her! I just meant that I was all geared up and this couple freaked me out. I hope she tries it despite being scared because sometimes the things we fear are the most awesome experiences! I’m too big of a chicken right now but I know it would be worth it. I’m glad they are so professional in Cape Town. I worry about that in Brazil from time to time too, mainly when flying on Brazilian airlines in thunderstorms! eeeekkkkk!

        Reply
        • Frank (bbqboy)

          November 27, 2015 at 6:54 pm

          I didn’t mean it that way Elizabeth. It was more like “I love elephants and one of the best things to do in Africa is going on a safari” ๐Ÿ™‚ combined with “a friend of mine was stomped by an elephant and her mashed up remains eaten by a pride of lions”. ๐Ÿ™ uhh, methinks I don’t go on safari now…
          Flying in thunderstorms – yeah, that’s scary
          Just teasing you Elizabeth ๐Ÿ™‚

          Reply
  16. Sarah (Jetsetting Fools)

    November 26, 2015 at 8:34 am

    Love this!!! What an incredible experience! Love the video ~ especially the end ๐Ÿ˜‰ Lissette, I hope you do it, too!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 26, 2015 at 8:46 am

      I screwed up at the end not standing up when I was supposed to…ended up on my knees and almost flat on my face in the grass ๐Ÿ˜‰ . But by then we had come almost to a full stop and there was no impact at all. It’s something I’ll always remember and I love re-watching the video.
      Yes, I hope Lissette does it. She’s talking big but I’m not so sure…

      Reply
  17. Andrea Leblang

    November 25, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    Killer video!! Loved the song as well – great choice. Furthermore, I’m incredibly impressed that you were able to hold the GoPro stick on your own. I could not have pulled that off! You’re next, Lissette!

    Reply
    • Frank (bbqboy)

      November 25, 2015 at 10:13 pm

      Thanks so much Andrea! My only regret is that it couldn’t have lasted longer. It really was a fantastic experience.

      Reply

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Hi! We are Frank & Lissette from Canada. We sold our home in 2014 and have been travelling the world ever since.

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