Johannesburg’s adventure-sport parks: no end to the fun in the heart of Gauteng

JJohannesburg, a vast conurbation formed by the towns, villages and townships that grew up around the gold mining that gives Gauteng its name, is South Africa’s most undeniably urban environment – and yet paradoxically, it also hosts the world’s largest man-made urban forest.  

And even more paradoxically, as delighted adrenaline-junkies are discovering, you don’t even have to leave the city to go on outdoor adventures that get your blood pumping. In fact, there are several great adventure-sport options clustered around Fourways to the north of the city, between Sandton and Midrand. 

Action World at Jozi X in Bryanston is South Africa’s first permanent, outdoor, inflatable fun park. Part obstacle course and part circus, this outdoor adventure-sport park is a barefoot fun zone. Kids aged five to 75 can’t wait to come here to slide, swing, jump, climb, and fall off huge inflatable structures, or take a wild ride in a zorb ball (an inflatable plastic sphere). 

Though activities are undertaken at your own risk, it’s virtually impossible to miss the krush kushions (professional stunt mats), and every activity is supervised to ensure visitors obey all safety rules and instructions.  

There’s also a beginner mountain-board track on site, with equipment and lessons provided, a slip ’n’ slide, parkour course and a dirt track for off-road karting, among loads more activities. Coming soon are an X-board track, a luge track, and tar street park for skaters of every persuasion. 

Nearby, the PwC Bike Park (also in Bryanston) is urban mountain-bike heaven. With 18 trails ranging from toddler-friendly tracks to full-throttle raceways, there’s something for every mountain-bike and BMX thrill-seeker. 

Trails are colour-coded according to the International Mountain Bike Association's (IMBA) requirements to ensure a rider’s ability and experience matches the trail difficulty. 

The entire facility is fenced so kids can ride their bikes in safety, and the woodland feel of this city cycle park will amaze you. There’s a dirt jump, a BMX track and a pump track, so hire a bike, grab a helmet and go ride! 

For active families and adventure sport enthusiasts – or office teambuilding outings with long-festering niggles to avenge – there are more personally satisfying ways to max your endorphin levels in Bryanston. Battlezone Paintball, next door to Jozi X, is an adrenaline-fuelled, ‘soft combat’ adventure. Don’t be fooled by that phrase, though – those paintballs can sting, even through an overall, so you’ll be glad of the protective helmet and faceplate. 

For combat that provides the same thrills regarding strategy, attack and victory, but without the zing of projectiles that burst in stinging splashes of colour, you want to try laser tag. It’s a great way to entertain large groups at birthday parties, and it also puts some ruthless cut-and-thrust into corporate teambuilding: motivation by going to the Dark Side, if you will. SWAT Laser Tag Sandton, north of the N1 highway in Paulshof, is another adventure-sport option in this region, if you’re itching to draw a bead on Dave from Salaries… 

Sharing the same address in Paulshof is Boot Camp SA, a pseudo-military obstacle course for GI Joes and Janes of all ages featuring platoon races, commando ranges and push-ups… Once again, this works for both family fun and corporate days out – you’ll leave tired, but definitely a little fitter.