Cape Town Tandem Paragliding :: Lions Head :: Signal Hill :: Table Mountain :: Professional paragliding flights in Cape Town South Africa :: Learn to paraglide :: Buy paragliding gift vouchers

Tandem Paragliding Flight:	R950
Cross Country (XC) Adventure:	R1500
Inflight Photos/Video:	R200
T-shirt:	R150
Transfers:	R100

(More information)

Tandem paragliding is fun and easy.

Tandem Paragliding in Cape Town

Cape Town is one of the most spectacular places in the world to paraglide. Lion's Head is the site that we fly from most commonly because of its location and the stunning views of Table Mountain and the Cape Town area. However, there are many other excellent flying sites nearby, including Signal Hill, Sir Lowry's Pass (just past Somerset West), Franschoek and Hermanus. Tandem paragliding instructional flights are a great way of getting into paragliding or just experiencing the joy of freeflight. Flights last anything from 10-30mins.

No Experience Required

As a tandem paragliding passenger you do not require any previous knowledge of paragliding at all. Your pilot will brief you on everything you need to know shortly before the flight. It is important that you listen to the instructions of the pilot and to have total confidence in his abilities. Take offs are easy (just a few steps usually) and landings are soft (most often we land on large grassy fields with no obstacles or dangers.

We meet at the Lions Head parking area at the start of the Lions Head walk.
You reach this by turning up Signal Hill Drive from Kloof Nek (opposite the cable car road).
Drive up Signal Hill Drive for 300m. You should see some large gum trees and cars parked along the side of the road. Park here!
On the opposite side of the road is a small National Parks hut.
You will also see the dirt track going up Lions Head with a metal boom at the start of it.
Wait for us at the wooden hut.

We have a large metallic blue Toyota Condor with a black roof rack.
The car has Cape Town Tandem Paragliding all over it and is hard to miss.

View Cape Town Tandem Paragliding in a larger map

What is a paraglider?
What is paragliding?
Who can paraglide?
Who can fly a tandem paraglider?
Are Take-offs and Landings Difficult?
Is paragliding dangerous?
How long can I expect the flight to last?
How do I learn to do this cool sport by myself?
Where do you Paraglide from?
What must I bring?
Can I get photos of my awesome paragliding experience?
How much is it?

What is a paraglider?
A paraglider is a free-flying, foot-launched aircraft. The pilot sits in a harness suspended below a fabric wing, whose shape is formed by the pressure of air entering vents in the front. Paragliders are light and fold up fairly small, making them compact and portable.

What is paragliding?
Paragliding is a form of unpowered flight in which rising air is needed to keep the glider aloft. This rising air can come from two sources:
1. when the sun heats features on the ground, columns of rising air known as thermals are generated
2. when wind encounters a ridge in the landscape, the air is forced upwards, providing ridge lift.
In mountainous environments, flying is mostly based around thermals, which can be used to stay aloft before heading for a landing field below the launch site. In hill environments, ridge lift is used for ridge soaring, and landing can be done either back at the launch site, or at a landing field at the bottom of the ridge. In either case, more experienced pilots can use thermals to go ‘cross country’.

Who can paraglide?
Anyone that weighs between 25-110kg can fly providing they are in good physical and mental health. Children under 18 wanting to fly must be signed off by a parent or guardian.

Who can fly a tandem paraglider?
Tandem paragliders can only be flown by SAHPA (South African Hang and Paragliding Association) approved Tandem Instructor Pilots. Commercial tandem paragliding can only be done on the basis that the flight is an instructional flight and therefore the pilot must either be a certified paragliding instructor or an assistant instructor affiliated with an official paragliding school. We are associated with Wallend-Air School of Paragliding (based in Cape Town).

What is a Tandem Paragliding Flight?
Tandem paragliding flights involve a passenger being securely strapped into a comfortable flying harness positioned in front of the pilot and connected to the pilot and the glider by spreader bars. The tandem paraglider is specially designed to carry two people and is nearly twice the size of a regular solo paraglider.

Are Take-offs and Landings Difficult?
Depending on how much wind there is, take-offs generally require just a few steps to get into the air. The less wind there is the more you will have to run. The most important thing to remember is DON'T SIT DOWN until you are well in the air and your pilot says it is ok for you to get in to your harness.

Is paragliding dangerous?
Our tandem pilots have years of experience behind them and we fly only the safest paragliding equipment. Pilots make decisions based on their own safety as well as yours. Paragliding is not risk free - but then neither is driving a car.

How long can I expect the flight to last?
Weather, as we all know, is very unpredictable, and even when the weather forecast says that we can expect the best possible flying conditions, this often turns out not to be the case. When we have ideal soaring conditions (the right wind direction for the site we are flying and 20-25km/h of wind) it is possible to fly for hours. However, most tandem flights will, depending on the conditions, last anything from 10 - 30 minutes.

How do I learn to do this cool sport by myself?
Ask us and we will set you up with the best paragliding schools around to complete either an introductory or full basic licence course.

Where do we paraglide from?
As paragliding is weather-dependent, we go to whichever site is best suited to the weather conditions of the day. There are a lot of flying sites to choose from. In Cape Town, the famous Table Mountain, Lion's Head and Signal Hill offer spectacular aerial views of the city. Sir Lowry's Pass, a short drive out of town allows you to look across False Bay towards Table Mountain and the Cape Peninsula. Further afield, Franschoek, Paarl and Hermanus all offer fantastic paragliding sites.

What must I bring?
- Comfortable running/walking shoes.
- Long sleeved windstopper top (if you are worried you might get cold), though usually shorts and a t-shirt are fine.
- Long pants (if you are worried you might get cold).
- Sun-block.
- Drinking Water.
- A hat and suncream (it's often very hot and we don't want you getting sunburned!).

Can I get photos of my awesome paragliding experience?
YES you can! The pilot has a specially designed extendable pole with a wide angle (29mm) camera mounted on it to take stunning pics of you and the panorama from all sorts of crazy angles. Ask your pilot to show you some examples of the pics we take or have a look in our gallery. In-flight photography is an optional extra.

How much is it?

Tandem Paragliding Flight:	R950
Cross Country (XC) Adventure:	R1500
Inflight Photos/Video:	R200
T-shirt:	R150
Transfers:	R100

(More information)

Cape Town Tandem Paragliding offers a pick-up and drop-off service to its customers.

We only pickup and dropoff from the same location. If you request to be dropped off at another location there will be an additional charge or we may not be able to fulfil your request.

Pickups are from the city bowl area only.

We may agree to do pickups from outside the city bowl but the transfer cost will be higher (an additional R50-R100 depending on the distance)

Sites navigation: Lion's Head | Sir Lowry's Pass | Hermanus

A Google Earth view of the main Cape Town paragliding sites

We fly from several sites in and around Cape Town.

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Lion's Head

a preview from the Fresh Air Site Guide © Greg Hamerton
Grading : BASIC + 4 guided flights (Hang-gliders : C)
GPS : +- S33º56’18” E18º23’14”
Altitude : Top site 450m (asl), ceiling at 1200m asl
Description : Home of the Glen Paragliding Club, a consistent and beautiful site to fly, offering a panorama of Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles. In the afternoon, Lion's Head heats up and generates a thermic, upslope breeze. Best flying is from 3pm onwards during wind-shadow conditions. Parking is on the back (CapeTown side) of Lion's Head, then a stiff hike is required up the gravel road and around to the front side. Because of the spire-shape of the peak, the wind diverges around it, causing a strong increase in wind speed at both takeoff sites when it is soarable. The wind is usually crossed from the left (S) at the topsite and very strong, and crossed from the right (NW) at the lower site. Don't pioneer a new launch site somewhere else on the mountain.
Wind : W-SW, thermic lee-side in SE
Launch : 'Lower launch' is reached after a 10 minute walk, where the path narrows from a jeep-track width into a hiking track. It is a challenging launch through a silver-leaf tree grove from a short net-covered runoff. Be meticulous in your layout and pre-flight checks. This is where to launch if it is soarable and SW. The 'Top site' is reached after another 10 minutes of brisk walking (it is NOT on the top of Lion's Head! It's below the cliffs on the NW side). It is a rocky netted launchsite that is both steep and loose underfoot. The wind is usually crossed from the left here, making good ground-handling and committed launch techniques essential for a safe get-away.

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Sir Lowry's Pass

(a preview from the Fresh Air Site Guide © Greg Hamerton)
Grading: BASIC + 4 guided flights (Hang-gliders : B)
GPS : +- S34º08’55” E18º55’39”
Altitude : 320m high (420m asl)
Airspace ceiling at 1200m asl. 2000m near Hanskop
Description : Soaring and thermic. A regular site that offers soaring, thermalling and cross-country, with superb views. The long mountain chain extends in a fairly consistent ridge to the south. To the north of takeoff the ridge rises to become towering mountain peaks, then curves to form a semicircle. Thermals can be strong, taking you high up and away from the earth, into the blue. Wind : NW - SW
Launch : Launch for competent pilots (very good ground-handling skills) from the grassed slope below the wall, where turbulence from the big rocks to the right or left can make it risky. If you misjudge the wind, you are likely to get blown back into the carpark. For an easier launch, walk directly across the road from the entrance to the carpark, and take the little footpath up the mountain, bearing left until you ascend the final steep crest (10 minutes). You will be high above the pass. There is a windstreamer tied to a tall pole, and some netting on the ground. Have a good look at the windspeed, you do not want to be blown over the back of this mountain! For hang-gliders, lower launch is about 500m down the road, just below the railway line. Sir Lowry's Pass flying past Hanskop
Landing : At the base of the pass, on the S side of the road, before the pine trees is a bald spot.Anywhere close by, in the low bushes is okay, but be careful not to damage the sensitive fynbos. Be careful of the big set of powerlines on final approach on the far side of the landing spot, between it and the highway. Please do not land too close to the road, as you may cause an accident. More experienced pilots can land a little further on, at the second clearing where the retrieval road turns off the base of the pass. Toplanding is not recommended when the carpark is congested (summer season, weekends, holidays). No toplanding for Basic Pilots. If the air is thermic or the wind crossed, toplanding is very risky.
Directions : N2 towards Caledon, at the top of the Sir Lowry's Pass, turn right into the viewsite. Beware of baboons (keep food out of sight and windows closed).

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Hermanus

(a preview from the Fresh Air Site Guide © Greg Hamerton)
Grading : BASIC (Hang-gliders : A - no students)
GPS : +- S34º24.113' E18º14.576'
Altitude : 235m asl, with airspace ceiling at 2300m
Airspace ceiling at 1200m asl. 2000m near Hanskop
Description : Soaring and thermic. A long ridge shaped like a breaking wave provides consistent flying conditions. Ridge-lift with a healthy sprinkling of thermals makes for some interesting flying. Hermanus is generally a relaxing place to fly, although sometimes the thermals and wind-shears can be quite strong. In springtime you may see the whales in the bay. smooth glides out to sea interspersed with regular thermals, beach landings and elevator launches
Wind : SSW - SE (SW only beyond mast, dodgy) Launch : Clearly defined area on the right of the scenic road, with windsocks and benches for spectators. Please confine your launch to the area demarcated by the yellow rocks (this private land forms part of Meerlust Estate). Or W of the radio tower, landing on the soccer field across the main road, but the air is usually very unpleasant in a SW
Landing : Out and to the right, on the left-most of the school fields, avoiding the cricket pitches (strip of hard grass in the centre of the field). The rugby fields closer to the ridge are okay, though beware of wind-shear as you approach the protected lower layers. An emergency landing field is slightly to the left below takeoff, a long, open plot between the houses. It's possible to slope-land at the base of the ridge, but be careful of the low powerlines. The field beside the graveyard is easy to negotiate. Topland behind the fence, behind the launch-site. Please do not land anywhere in front of the road, as this sensitive area is easily eroded and should have as little traffic as possible on it. landing at the school is often difficult.Topland or land on Grotto Beach.

1. Closed shoes - hiking boots are the best but running shoes are fine. No sandals, birkenstocks, high heels - we will not be able to fly with you if you come with unsuitable shoes.
2. Long pants
3. Long-sleeved top (something warm basically)
4. Hat (to stop you getting sun burned - bring sun cream as well)

Cape Town Tandem Paragliding offer in-flight photography as an additional and optional service.

Most of our pilots are equipped with a specially designed digital camera mounted on an extendable pole.

This allows us to take awesome panoramic photos of both you and your pilot and the stunning vistas of Cape Town far below as a backdrop.

Your pilot will take an average of 10 photos from every different angle during your flight.

Video is also possible - ask your pilot. Your pilot will burn you a CD at the end of your flight with a nifty portable CD burner - we're organised!...most of the time.

See pricing for current prices.