If climbing Kilimanjaro isn’t for you then there are plenty of alternatives across our portfolio which offer great challenges, great views and a great sense of achievement, while not requiring quite the same level of fitness or perseverance.

Table Mountain

At over 1,000 metres, Table Mountain dominates the skyline of Cape Town. Almost every picture you’re likely to have seen has it’s brooding presence in the background. The views once you get to the top are breath-taking. Yes, there’s a cable car, but there are also several well signposted trekking routes. You can even hire a guide to give you a greater appreciation of the flora and fauna you’ll encounter on your way to the top.

Big Daddy

The tallest sand dune in the Sossusvlei area of Namibia. At 325 metres high it dwarfs the other dunes in the local vicinity and, for ultimate bragging rights, take plenty of water and walk to the top. The views of Dead Vlei that greet you make it more than worthwhile. Our very own Suzanne made it to the top a couple of years back:

"It was exceptionally hot so we set off early. The first part of the climb was relatively comfortable, but it soon became quite a challenge. I had climbed sand dunes in Donegal as a child, but they were minute by comparison. The climb got steeper, and walking on soft sand posed many challenges – you’d take a step forwards and instantly sink down a foot; the longer we were out there, the hotter the sand became, walking barefoot was out of the question, shoes were weighed down with sand. The last 50 metres seemed to take forever, at that stage I was capable of walking no more than 10 tiny steps at a time before I would have to take a break. However – and it’s a big however – the views. Wow. 360 degrees of sand dunes, nothing else, for as far as the eye can see, quite incredible and I did feel on top of the world. The walk/run/tumble down into the valley was a lot quicker – and a lot more fun!" 

Drakensberg Mountains

The Drakensberg Mountains in KwaZulu-Natal are like the Lake District on steroids. These astonishing peaks rise to heights of over 3,000 metres. The Zulu word for them is ‘uKhahlamba’ which means ‘barrier of spears’ and at first glance they do seem impenetrable. Look closer and you find hiking trails criss-crossing the range which appeal to beginners and hardcore hikers alike. Add mountain biking, horse riding, all manner of adventure sports and the local wildlife and you have everything an outdoor-type could wish for.