There is no shortage of things to do in Cape Town! I spent 6 months living and working there and still feel like I didn’t have enough time to do everything. Whether you’re planning a short trip or have a few months to spend exploring South Africa, you can’t miss out on paragliding in Cape Town.
My experience was so much fun, so today I’m diving into the details.
Let’s get into it!
Why Paragliding in Cape Town?
You might be wondering what’s so special about paragliding in Cape Town. Personally, I think it’s one of the coolest places to paraglide because of the unique views you won’t find elsewhere.
Cape Town is situated between the ocean and mountains, so you’re basically guaranteed a picture perfect experience.
Where to Go Paragliding in Cape Town
There are a couple of places people typically go paragliding from in Cape Town.
The most popular spot is from Signal Hill and this is where I went paragliding.
There’s a great spot to run off the side of the hill and catch the wind so it’s where most companies operate from.
Depending on the conditions, you might jump from Lion’s Head instead of Signal Hill. This is another popular spot for tandem paragliding flights, only this spot is a little higher up!
I secretly wanted to jump from Lion’s Head but I let my instructor choose when the time came because safety was my number one concern.
There are many other places around South Africa where you can go paragliding, one of which is along the Garden Route (a popular road trip route).
What to Expect/Tips
Starting point – Depending on the day, you’ll either start at the top of Signal Hill or a few minutes up Lion’s Head. Lion’s Head is rare but a cooler experience (in my opinion) because you’re taking off from a higher elevation.
Price – Wondering how much it costs to go paragliding in Cape Town? You can expect to pay around R1800 (price January 2025) for the flight with videos and photos. It’s best to pay with cash but if you only have card, there is a small additional fee.
What to wear/bring – Wear closed-toed shoes, pants and a sweater/jacket. Depending on the time of year, it can be quite cold so dress accordingly and remember it gets super windy! You don’t need to bring anything with you but if you have a backpack, purse, phone, etc., your instructor will put it in the bag that’s attached to the harness so you fly down with your things.
Choosing the Right Company
When I decided I wanted to try paragliding, I had no idea what company to go with. There are many options for paragliding in Cape Town, so it can be a tad overwhelming trying to make a decision. After a bit of research, I found out that most charge about the same fee.
With the price not being much of a determining factor, you’re left to choose one randomly if you don’t know anyone who’s been before. I sent a few paragliding companies messages, asking about their rates and best dates to fly.
Not many got back to me but Handre from Sky Safari Adventures was the first to respond to my WhatsApp message. He was incredibly friendly, professional and helpful, answering my questions promptly and scheduling a suitable day to fly.
My Experience Paragliding in Cape Town
I’m not going to lie, I just about gave up on my dream of paragliding while I was in Cape Town. I had initially wanted to go early April for my birthday but the weather wasn’t cooperating! I had been in touch with Handre every few days to try and find a time with good wind and weather conditions to fly.
Paragliding is a time-sensitive experience because it’s so reliant on the wind and weather. Whenever there was some good wind, I wasn’t able to meet Handre in time to have a good flight. He was extremely patient with me and said he would be in touch to coordinate. This is why it’s so important to book your paragliding session at the start of your trip, as it could take a while to find a good day for it.
By chance, Handre got in touch with me one day before I was scheduled to fly out of Cape Town. I was working from a cafe in Sea Point and catching up with a friend and you better believe I hopped in an Uber right away to meet him at Signal Hill. When I got to the top of Signal Hill, he explained how the experience would work. He packed up my backpack with my laptop and phone into the bag attached to the parachute and got everything set up.
Then once I was in the harness I walked down the edge of Signal Hill and was told to stand still as they brought the parachute up. When it was time for take off I simply took a few steps forward and we were flying. Handre was great the entire time and told me about his years of experience. He even let me take control of the parachute for a bit and do a few turns!
After getting a few photos and videos on his GoPro, we flew down over Sea Point and did a couple of fast turns before landing. The landing was incredibly smooth and the entire experience lasted about 15-20 minutes.
10/10 would recommend flying with Handre and Sky Safari Adventures!
What’s the Best Time To Go Paragliding?
As I mentioned above, your paragliding instructor will get in touch with you to let you know when the best time to go is!
This will vary from season to season, depending on the wind levels – because you need a LOT of wind to safely paraglide.
Always give yourself more than a couple of days to try and paraglide, in case the conditions aren’t great.
Wind levels are pretty strong in the spring and fall so you might have better luck booking a paragliding session during those seasons!
How Long is the Tandem Flight?
The length of your tandem paraglide will differ depending on where you jump from, as well as how strong the winds are.
The jump I did lasted about 20 minutes but it can be as short as 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
Even though it’s a quick experience, it’s definitely worth it and when you’re up in the air taking in the views, time slows a little.
Can You Go Paragliding Off Lion’s Head?
YES – Paragliding off Lion’s Head sounds like an incredible experience.
You don’t get to choose if you jump from Lion’s Head, but if the opportunity presents itself, I’d say to take it!
Can You Go Paragliding Off Table Mountain?
NO – Unless you’re a licensed paraglider, you won’t be able to paraglide from Table Mountain National Park.
Table Mountain is at a much higher altitude than Lion’s Head or Signal Hill and can be a much more dangerous spot to jump from. It’s for highly experienced paragliders only.
If you want to experience the best of Table Mountain, I highly recommend that you try one of the many hiking routes or take the cable car to the top!
Paragliding Views: Everything You’ll See
You’re going to be AMAZED by what you see while paragliding in Cape Town! No matter where you jump from, the views are going to be spectacular because it’s a stunning city.
You’re going to be surrounded by the ocean and mountains so you really can’t go wrong.
Can Kids Go Paragliding in Cape Town?
If you want to take your kids paragliding with you, some companies allow it!
Depending on who you go with, sometimes the minimum age is 14 (with consent from a legal guardian), otherwise the minimum age would be 18.
Some operators also have a minimum weight requirement of 20-25 kg or 44-55 lbs.
Video recap
Want to see what my experience was all about? Check out the video I posted on TikTok below!
Other Cape Town Blogs You Might Enjoy
- The best and worst Cape Town hostels
- An in-depth guide to hiking Kloof Corner
- 13 incredible places for sunsets in Cape Town
- The perfect itinerary for a layover in Cape Town
- My all time fave cafes in Cape Town
- 26 amazing and fun activities to do in and around Cape Town
Would you give paragliding a shot?
It’s definitely not as scary as it seems and a great way to see Cape Town. I’ll be back next week with another blog but in the meantime you can connect with me on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube!
Cheers,
Amy xx