In the 20th century, Orlando township in Soweto bordering Johannesburg saw some of the most dramatic anti-apartheid clashes including the Soweto Uprising where 12-year-old Hector Pieterson was shot by South African police. Today, this bustling township has risen to fame once again one of the coolest adventure spots in the world.
The two Orlando Towers that dominate Orlando’s skyline are the hub of adventure and all things fun. These 33-storey towers were once the cooling towers for the Orlando Power Station built by the British in 1935-55 to meet the increasing energy demand. After 56 years of operation, the coal plant finally shut down in 1998.
A decade later, local company Skyriders transformed these neglected towers into an adventure center perfect for a thrilling outing with family and friends. The drab old cooling towers were given a makeover with bright, colorful murals and are now used for extreme sports such as bungee jumping, abseiling, zip-lining, pendulum swinging (the world’s first between two towers), SCAD falling, and rap jumping, all from the top of a 100m tower! If that hasn’t got you excited, there’s paintball and rock climbing too!
While there is no age limit for most of these activities, extreme adventures like bungee jumping is available to jumpers weighing between 35kg and 115kg. Children under the age of 18 years are required to have their guardian’s written consent to participate in the activities.
After an adrenalin rush, a good meal is called for. Chaf Pozi, a popular Shisa Nyama (barbeque) restaurant is situated at the base of the towers. Even if extreme adventure is not your cup of tea, it’s worth visiting just for the views and food!
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Tags: Johannesburg South Africa Soweto
