A look at some unusual things to do in South Africa

Although many people will head to South Africa to get close to the penguins at Boulder’s Beach or to check out South Africa’s Big Five, this isn’t all the country has to offer. South Africa is also home to some unusual things travellers will not want to miss out on.

The world’s highest abseil, Cape Town

When it comes to heights there will never be a more adrenaline pumping experience than tackling the highest commercial abseil in the world – Table Mountain. Table Mountain is an exceptionally flat mountain which looms over the Legislative Capital of Cape Town and is known as one of the natural Seven Wonders of the World.

Image: Abseil Africa

Visitors can test their nerves and get their blood pumping by abseiling off of this incredible mountain. With beautiful landscapes and panoramic views to be seen on the way down, this is one of the best abseiling opportunities in the world. Travellers who choose to tackle this abseil will begin around 1,000 metres above sea level and work their way down the 112m descent in this extreme sports experience.

Adventure tourism in South Africa is rife, from both a local and international perspective. There’s plenty of extreme sports opportunities to take part in such as bungee jumping at Bloukrans (the world’s highest bungee bridge) and cage diving with the country’s infamous Great White Sharks. Travellers looking for an adventure full of extreme sports should always turn to South Africa.

Take on the casinos in Cape Town

Cape Town is South Africa’s largest gambling city, and although many people don’t generally head to South Africa in order to take on the casinos, it is a good way to spend a night out. One of the more unusual games that travellers may find in Cape Town in the casinos is an Afrikaans Jass Game known as "Klawerjas", although this is generally played in local communities.

However, travellers looking to stick to one of the more popular casino games are certain to find plenty of blackjack tables along the way. Knowing the basics before you attempt to take on the casinos is important, and the Ladbrokes Online Blackjack Guide is just one of many blackjack and table game guides that can help those looking to head to the casinos in Cape Town to beat the dealer and take home the winnings.

NJR ZA via Wikimedia Commons

The Big Pineapple, Bathurst

Bathurst is known as the pineapple capital of South Africa, and if travellers are looking for an unusual photo opportunity, then the Big Pineapple should be a definite tick on a bucket list. Pineapples are grown and harvested in this area of South Africa, and to celebrate this, the area erected the largest artificial pineapple in the world, which stands 70cm higher than the Big Pineapple on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. Big Pineapple visitors have access to an auditorium where they can watch a 12-minute film which includes the local pineapple production, an exhibition, and an observation deck.

Many travellers have had their photo taken by the Big Pineapple and is easily one of the most unusual things to do in South Africa. Other large artificial monuments located in South Africa also draw a lot of tourism, with the Giant Post Box in Calvinia, Northern Cape being noted as another site that shouldn’t be missed.