Wild Sky AdventuresWild Sky AdventuresWild Sky Adventures

Location: South Africa » Kwazulu Natal » Drakensberg » Southern Drakensberg » Bulwer

Wild Sky Adventures

Wild Sky Adventures

Description

ABOUT US:

Wild Sky Paragliding school has been running since 1993. We have an excellent reputation and are accredited with SAHPA (the South African Hanggliding and Paragliding Association) and a member of the Aeroclub of South Africa. Hans Fokkens, our chief instructor, has been paragliding since 1989 and teaching paragliding since 1993. He has also had his tandem license for many years and has done hundreds of tandem flights. He has Protea colours for paragliding. As far as safety and knowledge goes, you are in excellent hands. Hans’s wife Ria, who decided to escape the Johannesburg fast life and move to Bulwer in 2001, is in charge of bookings, finances, cooking, etc. We have three extremely friendly (but obedient) dogs that will welcome you in their own special way. Scuzzy, Fatso and Loopy love people and especially kids.

 

We have top instructors and tandem pilots with the experience needed to make paragliding a safe, fun and exciting activity. With us you will learn to fly properly, using ridge lift and thermals to get up. Your instructors’ vast experience will help you become an above average pilot with all the necessary skills and tools you need to fly. You will have a solid foundation from which to build a good understanding of the sky and its limits. We have very high safety standards and a brilliant record.

We offer comfortable, affordable accommodation in an absolutely perfect location for paragliders, from beginners to experienced cross-country pilots.

Our lodge is situated at the foot of the Amahaqwa Mountain in Bulwer, Kwazulu-Natal. From here the landing field of our main site is only a few hundred metres away and more experienced pilots can land right on the front lawn!
The view from the lodge is fantastic, with the mountain on one side and the valley on the other. The accommodation we offer is rustic, but comfortable, and suitable for anyone from campers to families.
The area offers a vast choice of activities for family members and non-pilots. See our activities page for more details on horse riding, abseiling, tubing, river rafting, hiking & bird watching, fly fishing etc.

 

Paragliding courses:

 

Welcome to the Wild Sky Paragliding School.

We hope you have many hours of enjoyment learning to fly with us.
Please see below details of what our courses entail prices and rules.

 

Intro course
Duration: 2 Days
Cost R1500
Includes:

  • Introductory lecture
  • Ground training
  • Ground skimming flights
  • High flights (minimum 2), while instructed on radio
  • Use of school paragliding equipment
  • SAHPA temporary membership for six months.
  • SAHPA training manual and logbook

 

License course
Duration: 7 to 10 Days depending on the weather.
Cost: R6000
Includes:

  • Everything included in the intro course
  • Instruction on weather patterns, safety rules, flying skills & techniques.
  • 35 high flights
  • Basic maneuvers to ensure safe flying
  • A thorough knowledge and skills on the maneuvers required.
  • Open book test
  • Administration
  • Marking of test
  • SAHPA license fee valid for one year.

Course rules:
A student with a temporary license may not under any circumstances fly without the presence of your instructor, after a final check and take off permission granted.

There are no refunds or exchanges for students who terminate a course. We recommend that students purchase their own equipment during the course, so that we can instruct on the use of the specific equipment and set up the equipment properly.

Ask us about equipment and prices. We supply good quality and safe equipment second hand and new. A course is not transferable to another person.

The basic license course must be completed within six months. Wild Sky Paragliding school may apply a surcharge if students do not complete their course within the specified six months.

Reservations are required and are not confirmed until a deposit has been paid. Students have to book course days at least two days in advance, preferably a week.
The deposit for the intro course is the full amount of R1500.
The deposit for the basic license course is minimum R1500.
If the students’ tasks and skills are not sufficient after 35 flights and all the practical requirements are not completed, students then have to extend their course to 50 flights, at minimal extra cost.

 

Advanced courses

Cross country course
Duration: Three days
Cost: R1500
Includes:

  • Extensive lectures on subjects pertaining to Cross Country flying
  • Wild Sky Cross Country manual
  • In flight instruction and guidance
  • Recovery is excluded but we’ll fetch you anywhere if you cover the petrol money

 

Safety course (SIV)
Duration: Three days
Cost: R3000 and R150 for the DVD
Dates: Contact us at info@wildsky.co.za for details on the next course
Includes:

  • 21 Safety maneuvers
  • Venue: Midmar dam
  • Instruction
  • Winches
  • Rescue boat and driver
  • Towboat, winch operator and driver
  • Fuel for both boats

 

LODGING

 

Wild Sky Paragliding offers the ultimate in flying experiences, in and around Bulwer Mountain, on the edge of the Southern Drakensberg.

We have top instructors and tandem pilots with the experience needed to make paragliding a safe, fun and exciting activity. With us you will learn to fly properly, using ridge lift and thermals to get up. Your instructors’ vast experience will help you become an above average pilot with all the necessary skills and tools you need to fly. You will have a solid foundation from which to build a good understanding of the sky and its limits. We have very high safety standards and a brilliant record.

 

We offer comfortable, affordable accommodation in an absolutely perfect location for paragliders, bird watchers, hiking enthusiasts etc. Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be provided but must be booked in advance.

Camping, Backpackers, Cabins and En-suite accommodation.

Our lodge is situated at the foot of the Amahaqwa Mountain in Bulwer, Kwazulu-Natal. From here the landing field of our main site is only a few hundred metres away and more experienced pilots can land right on the front lawn!
The view from the lodge is fantastic, with the mountain on one side and the valley on the other. The accommodation we offer is rustic, but comfortable, and suitable for anyone from campers to families.
The area offers a vast choice of activities for family members and non-pilots. See our activities page for more details on horse riding, abseiling, tubing, river rafting, hiking & bird watching, fly fishing etc.

 

ACTIVITIES:

 

The area around Bulwer is lovely and there are many things to see and do.

 

In Bulwer itself there are various hikes to go on, some of which start right from our lodge. We have indigenous forest just behind the lodge and there are hiking paths ranging from easy to challenging.
The bird watching in the area is fantastic. Marutswa forrest is just outside Bulwer. This is the home of the endangered Cape Parrot as well as many other forest birds like the Knysna Loerie.
If you like horse riding we can recommend various establishments around either Bulwer or Underberg. Horse trails also run through Marutswa forrest.
The amount of mountain biking to do in the area is endless with many trails and tracks still waiting to be discovered.
Bulwer is only 25 minutes drive from Underberg, which is a quaint little town with a fantastic view of the Southern berg. From here you can go on an organized tour up the Sani Pass. Passports are required. 
The Underberg area is well known for its fly-fishing, so if you like to fish, bring your rod!
In summer there are various water activities. You can go swimming in big rock pools, 8km from the lodge, or hire tubes and go white water tubing down the river. We go tubing in the Umkomaas and Umzimkulu rivers. Guided white-water rafting happens at Hella Hella, just 50 kms away.
Great meals are available at the two pubs in Bulwer and also at the hotel.