For over 20 years the authorities in Tanzania have strictly enforced the ban on the use of paragliders, hanggliders and mountain bikes in the Kilimanjaro National Park. In 2013, however, they will lift this restriction for a one time only event, Wings Of Kilimanjaro.
In February 2013, a group of 200 adventurers will therefore come to Tanzania to climb and fly from the highest free-standing mountain on the planet, the Kilimanjaro, for the first time ever!
Using Mt Kilimanjaro as the platform for their activity and the vehicle for their cause, it is Wings Of Kilimanjaro’s shared vision that they can utilise this rare opportunity to raise funds to support charities in Tanzania. Please check their website for more information and for how to get involved.
Para Taxi Tandem Paragliding is the first activity of its kind to to become Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA)-certified. The company, founded in 2005, is offering visitors and locals alike a once in a life time opportunity to experience fantastic scenic tandem paragliding flights in and around Cape Town. With their professional staff and qualified pilots they pride themselves as being one of the most reputable and safety conscious paragliding companies in the area.
Besides the fact that paragliding itself is an extremely green activity with no engine fumes or sound contamination,Para Taxi Tandem Paragliding also puts a huge amount of effort into promoting the sport, creating jobs historically disadvantaged individuals, respecting the environment and making flights possible for the disabled and physically challenged.
Hermanus, renowned as the best land-based whale watching location in the world, is situated along the Walker Bay on the south coast of South Africa's Western Cape. The town is located only about 115 km southeast of Cape Town, to which Hermanus is connected by the R43 (or coastal R44 scenic route) and the N2 motorway. The R43 continues to Cape Agulhas, the most southerly point of Africa. Hermanus is also only 40 km from Gansbaai, a famous spot for Great White Shark cage diving. And apparently Hermanus is also a famous paragliding spot...
btw - the dude in the video lands right in front of his hotel in Hermanus... not bad, right?
Tandem Paragliding in & around Cape Town
Since the late eighties, paragliding in South Africa has seen a tremendous growth. Presently the industry boasts more than 900 registered pilots and a staggering 1200 flying sites around South Africa.
The sport is normally considered to be "Extreme" and has a degree of danger appended to it. Most people have a small degree of vertigo and could never imagine themselves dangling alone thousands of feet in the air under a "parachute". Many paraglider pilots are even slightly scared of heights!
Tandem Paragliding is the solution - with an over-sized, specially designed tandem glider and two harnesses, the sport now invites all who wish to explore the skies and soar the mountain tops, but don't want to learn to paraglide on their own. Sites: Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Sir Lowries Pass, Hermanus, Franschhoek Pass, Dassklip Pass (Porterville), Noordhoek and the Garden Route from Wilderness to Port Elizabeth.
Where? Lion's Head, Signal Hill, Sir Lowries Pass, Hermanus, Franschhoek Pass, Dassklip Pass (Porterville), Noordhoek and the Garden Route from Wilderness to Port Elizabeth. Price: ZAR 1,150.00/person What? Since the late eighties, paragliding in South Africa has seen a tremendous growth. Presently the industry boasts more than 900 registered pilots and a staggering 1200 flying sites around South Africa. The sport is normally considered to be "Extreme" and has a degree of danger appended to it. Most people have a small degree of vertigo and could never imagine themselves dangling alone thousands of feet in the air under a "parachute". Many paraglider pilots are even slightly scared of heights! Tandem Paragliding is the solution - with an over-sized, specially designed tandem glider and two harnesses, the sport now invites all who wish to explore the skies and soar the mountain tops, but don't want to learn to paraglide on their own. With Tandem Paragliding, as a passenger you require no previous knowledge of the sport at all. The pilot will brief you on take off and landing shortly before the flight. The only important thing to remember is to listen to the instructions of the pilot and to have total confidence in his experience. Take offs are easy and Landings are soft and most often we land on large fields with no obstacles or dangers. Weather? Paragliding is weather reliant, but we can fly almost 200 days a year, throughout summer and winter. We do not specifically need any wind to get airborne but most suitable conditions range from 10kms per hour to a max of 30kms per hour to launch safely. The direction of the wind is also a deciding factor, the wind should be blowing directly up the slope or launching site, with a tolerance of 15 degrees off center being acceptable. Days where the weather is beautiful and clear with no clouds and good temperatures are not necessarily the most suitable conditions for paragliding, but mostly they are.
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