South Africa Hang Gliding - South Africa offers a wealth of hang gliding opportunities

Hang Gliding in South Africa - When you look up and see the birds soaring through perfect blue skies over beautiful escarpments, it’s hard not to be just a little bit jealous. Through modern technology this dream has become reality for thousands of hang gliding enthusiasts in South Africa.

Over the past 40 years hang gliding has progressed into a safe and reliable recreational activity and has proved to be the hobby of choice for thousands of pilots. There is simply nothing like the feeling of launching off a cliff or mountain and enjoying a smooth and silent flight, hundreds of meters off the ground whilst observing the beautiful South African landscape below. To have the perfect non-powered flight, you will require thermals winds or mountains with a good ridge lift.

Many South African coastal regions are ideal for this as they have outstanding coastal mountains which make for brilliant soaring and the flatter interiors, produce awesome thermals on hot summer days. In the right conditions hang glider pilots can fly sometimes over 500 km by simply using air currents and thermals. By using thermals you can stay aloft and enjoy the freedom and exhilaration for hours at a time. Because of the silent nature of hang gliding, birds will often accompany and fly alongside you. South African hang gliding enthusiasts who’ve had years of training and experience are also able to perform some incredible stunts - looping and spinning freely in the South African skies - quite a marvel to behold.

There are a number of great flying sites where you can enjoy hang gliding in South Africa. Cape Town is a spectacular city to hang glide over. From Lions Head mountain, you can soar over the beautiful city, gorgeous beaches and of course, around Table Mountain.

After a successful hang glide from Lions Head, you’re able to land on a large field right by the ocean below the bar and restaurant, Lamed. Once your gear is packed up, you can enjoy a delicious cocktail at watch the sunset - what could be better! In the Western Cape, the mountains of Porterville offer truly spectacular flying. They offer fabulous thermals so one can experience the beauty and treasures of the area for longer. The Wilderness in the Garden Route is another classic hang gliding site. Here, you’re privy to stunning mountains and gorgeous seas. From your unique vantage point in the sky, you’ll be able to spot whales and dolphins frolicking in the bay. In the Drakensberg in KwaZulu Natal, the Bulwer and Oliviershoek are fantastic spots to discover these mystical mountains. The Mpumalanga Escarpment also offers outstanding hang gliding opportunities.

If you’re keen to enjoy the wonders of hang gliding in South Africa, but haven’t yet received the training you need to get started, there are a number of hang gliding schools in South Africa that can take you through the basics. The Southern and Western Cape, Gauteng and Kwazulu Natal all offer brilliant hang gliding training courses which will have you sky high in no time. The South African Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) oversees all the licensing and registration that you’ll require before your first South African hang gliding experience.

So come and explore and discover all the treasures of this beautiful country from high in the sky with South African hang gliding.