Coming to South Africa is an experience on its own, but coming to Cape Town is a must and where your dilemma starts – what are you going to do, what do you have time to do and what do you want to do? The options are endless; you just need to pick the right one.
Tandem paragliding in Cape Town has become a very popular experience for tourists and locals alike and we can see why. Your launch sites are either Lion’s Head or Signal Hill and you’ll land on the grassy, popular promenade. If you think this is something you would like to try, then you have come to the right place.
Let’s woosh through some paragliding background
Tandem Paragliding in Cape Town was started by Manu Wegmershau in 2007 after he moved to Cape Town in 2005. He was born in Germany, lived in Zimbabwe but has been paragliding since he was only 14 years old. This man knows what he is doing and paragliding has been his passion for years.
Your tandem paragliding experience will start at your launch site, which is dependent on the changing weather and wind conditions. You will launch from one of two sites – Lion’s Head or Signal Hill. Because the weather cannot be predicted or controlled launch sites may change throughout the day, but luckily for you, both launch sites are two of Cape Town’s most beautiful settings.
One thing you can be certain of is that your pilot is highly experienced, passionate and fully certified by the South African Association of Paragliding (SAHPA). You will be looked after your entire trip!
One thing you need to remember is that you will only fly if launching and landing conditions are safe. Your pilot will do their utmost best to ensure that you have the longest, most gratifying flight possible. Each tandem paragliding trip in Cape Town will last anywhere from 5 – 30 minutes depending on the weather.
There are other launch sites for tandem paragliding in Cape Town that are equally as beautiful. These can be found Franschhoek, Hermanus and Sir Lowry’s Pass. All three is of these places are worth a visit regardless of a paragliding expedition.
Paragliding in Cape Town, important things to know
Tandem paragliding requires no previous experience and your pilot will brief you before your flight so you will know what is happening always. Your pilot has the experience and know-how to get you through your trip in the skies so listen to what he says and have confidence in their mad skills!
The Tandem Paragliding team is full of surprises and good things because even people with disabilities can experience paragliding.
What should you wear?
- Lace-up shoes and socks – the tandem paragliding team recommend this
- Long pants are recommended
- A light jacket or windbreaker – it can get a bit chilly while you are up there
- Sunblock, a hat and sunglasses
Important things to be aware of
- You may bring your own camera up with you, but the tandem paragliding team will not be responsible for any damage or loss of your personal belongings
- While you are up there your pilot will use the awesome technology of the GoPro and you will be able to purchase your photos and videos after your flight at a small extra cost
- Please note that you are not obligated to buy your photos and video
- If you launch from Lion’s Head in Cape Town, you will have to make the hike up to the launch point. It is not a hard hike but please wear sensible shoes as the hike is on gravel
- Launches are easy, just a few steps off your launch ledge
- Landings are simple, soft and easy – always remember to listen to your pilot
What is a Tandem Paraglider and how does it work?
- A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launching aircraft
- Your pilot will sit in a harness that is suspended below the fabric wing (sounds scary we know, but it’s not!)
- The shape of the paraglider is formed by the pressure of air entering the cell openings in the front
- Paragliders are light and fold up easily which makes them easy to store and move around
The paragliding team are not just enthusiastic, passionate and good at their jobs, they also speak a few different languages which makes is easier to chat to tourists about what they should expect. English, Afrikaans, German and Spanish is just a few of the languages that you can expect to hear while up in the Cape Town skies.
If you think that this is something you would like to experience, then you have come to the right place because the Tandem Paragliding team in Cape Town will give an exclusive, exhilarating experience that will last you a lifetime. Pack your things, book your trip and let’s get up high in the sunny Cape Town skies.
Tandem Paragliding is one of the many activities included in the Cape Town City Pass.
Scroll Through Some More Attractions
Table Mountain Cable Car
City Sightseeing Bus Tours
Waterfront Charters Sunset Champagne Cruise
Cape Point Explorer Tour
Groot Constantia Wine Tasting and Tour
Two Oceans Aquarium
Tandem Flight Co.
Marine Dynamics Shark Cage Diving
Great White Shark Tours
Drumbeat Charters Seal Colony Cruise
PADI Discover Scuba Diving Experience
Mojo Market R100 Bar Voucher
Urban Oasis Eatery & Bar
Fish & Chips in Hout Bay
Enjoy a Free Burger & Chips in Camps Bay (sit down only)
Acrobranch Constantia
Acrobranch Stellenbosch
Ocean Experiences
Helicopter & Ocean Combo
Flying Dutchman Funicular
Zeitz MOCAA Museum
Mama Africa Restaurant
Circe Launches Seal Island Cruise
Cape Town Helicopters’ Twelve Apostles Scenic Helicopter Flight
Beerhouse on Long
PlayDate SuperPark
Gold Restaurant – African Dining Experience
Stellenbosch Vineyards
Aquila Game Reserve and Spa Afternoon Safari
Vredenheim Winery & Big Cat Sanctuary
Cobra Experience
Free Tasting at Woodstock Gin Company
Franschhoek Wine Tram Explorer Tour
World of Birds Wildlife Sanctuary and Monkey Park
City Sightseeing Bo Kaap Walking Tour
Spier Wine Farm
Shimansky Rockwell Diamond Experience
Iziko South African National Gallery
Bo-Kaap Museum
Iziko South African Museum
Norval Foundation
Iziko Slave Lodge
Franschhoek Adventures Historical Village Walk
City Sightseeing LaGuGu Township Tour
The Franschhoek Cellar
Tour and Tasting at Pienaar and Son
Cape Town Diamond Museum
The Diamond Gallery
Cape Wheel
Avontuur Estate Farm and Wine Experience
Le Bonheur Reptiles and Adventures
SUP Cape Town (Stand Up Paddle Boarding)
City Cruiser Bicycle Rental
Dyer Island Cruises Whale Watching
Castle of Good Hope
Alpaca Loom Barn Tour & Coffee Shop
Rush Trampoline Park
Simonsig Wine Estate
Franschhoek Winelands Luxury Cycle Tour
Stellenbosch Winelands Luxury Tour
Cape Peninsula Pedal
Stellenbosch Half Day Winelands Cycle Tour
Stellenbosch Vineyard Meander
Stellenbosch Adventure Ride
City Sightseeing Historic City Walk
City Sightseeing Imizamo Yethu Township Tour
Eagle Encounters
Waterfront Charters Harbour Cruise
South African Jewish Museum
City Sightseeing Harbour Cruise
City Sightseeing Canal Cruise
Heart of Cape Town Museum
Waterfront Charters Harbour & Bay Cruise
Cape Side Cars Chauffeured City Tour
Cape Town Holocaust Centre
District Six Museum
TOKARA Wine and Olive Farm
Scratch Patch
Lovane Boutique Wine Estate and Guesthouse
Cave Golf
Honest Chocolate
Tanzanite International
Diamonds 27
Sport Helicopters Huey City Hopper Flight
Cape Explorer: Wine Tour & Tasting Full-Day Excursion
City Grill Steakhouse
Wharfside Grill at Mariner’s Wharf
Moyo Restaurant, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Cape Town Tandem Paragliding
Two Oceans Aquarium Diving and Penguin Encounter