If you’re planning an adventure holiday in South Africa, there’s good news: your next adrenaline rush just got a whole lot safer.
At Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA) unveiled a major update to the region’s adventure tourism safety standards. New toolkits and Codes of Good Practice have been launched to help ensure every zip line, hike, paddle, and off-road ride meets international safety benchmarks, giving travellers total peace of mind.
The newly released guidelines cover five key adventure categories:
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Aerial Non-Flight Activities (zip lines, rope courses, canopy tours)
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Wheel-Based Activities (mountain biking, ATVs, skateboarding)
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Boat-Based Activities (shark cage diving, whale watching)
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Paddling & Rafting (kayaks, canoes, SUPs)
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Hiking & Trekking (from short trails to multi-day treks)
Whether you’re tackling wild rapids or trekking remote mountain paths, these updated resources are designed to help operators align with global best practices and help travellers feel safe and supported while exploring.
A brand-new Self-Assessment Tool is also now available, allowing operators to evaluate and improve their safety, sustainability, and service levels. It’s free, accessible via the SATSA website, and part of a broader push to raise the bar across Southern Africa’s adventure sector.
“South Africa isn’t just chasing the title of ‘adventure capital of the world’,” says SATSA CEO David Frost. “We’ve already got over 100 unique experiences on offer – now we’re backing them up with world-class standards.”
Get involved
Adventure operators can take the Self-Assessment Tool and join the upcoming webinar on 28 May to learn more. Full resources and toolkits are available at www.satsa.com.
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