Dirty Boots

Look Before You Leap!

How to find the perfect adventure for your group. “Put your left leg through here” beckons the guide as he directs you into a full body climbing harness. You glance left and smile nervously at your daughter as she adjusts the buckles on her helmet. Excitement builds, but you’re...

Diamonds In The Rough

Way up high on the Northern Cape’s West Coast – along a stretch of wild country where arid scrubland collides with an icy ocean – you will discover the Diamond Coast in all its glory. Dozens of adventures await, but you may to have to dig deep for your fix. You never know what...

A Quarter Century - The Story of Marine Dynamics (2000)

Twenty-five years ago, Wilfred Chivell had nothing but a love for the ocean, a small inflatable boat, and a telephone. That’s how this extraordinary story began—one of resilience, passion, and a deep-rooted commitment to marine conservation. Wilfred wasn’t just chasing a dream; a...

Going With The Flow (1981)

Going with the Flow It was 1981 and John Kellett, who was always up for fun and adventure, signed up for a whitewater kayak trip on the Doring River near Clanwilliam. He and his 3 kids, of whom Andrew was the youngest at barely 11 years old, did one afternoon’s practice paddling on the...

Sidecar Shenanigans (2004)

Ok, so, how did it all begin…? After gallivanting around the planet during the 1980’s and 1990’s in my previous life, I ended up in the early 2000’s in Shanghai, China, as a co-owner and general manager of an Irish Pub, called O’Malley’s. As you do... Early in...

Twin Adventures In The Atlantis Sand Dunes

Twin Vision, One Venture: The Inspiring Story of Busi & Gugu’s Atlantis Adventure How 29-year old identical twins Busi and Gugu decided to start a business offering quad-biking and sand-boarding in the Atlantis dunes, is a story of inspiration. And what more perfect name could they have...

Zee Ndaba And Her Mountains

Welcome to my backyard says Zee Ndaba The first black woman Level 4 Mountain Guide leading hikes amongst the gigantic peaks and big-sky landscapes of the Drakensberg Royal Natal National Park of KwaZulu Natal.Zee has been roaming the Drakensberg mountains ever since she was a child and smiles...

Meet South Africa's Adventure Dogs

Paws, Trails & Thrills From hiking trails to kayaking rivers, South Africa’s adventure dogs are redefining what it means to be thrill-seekers. These four-legged explorers join their humans on mountains, beaches, and even motorbike rides, proving that adventure has no limits. Whether over...

Eden Adventures - A Short History (1997)

From 1997 to Now In 1997 the new South Africa was new. Not just new, but new new. The country was on an upward trajectory and there was great optimism in its future. South Africa was the darling of the international community and tourists were beginning to flood back in. On their agenda, most Cape...

Crocodile Fears (1998) Cunene River

Cunene River, Ruacana Falls to the Atlantic Ocean The scream in my throat muted to a breathless groan. My legs pumped up and down. I couldn’t go up the dune any faster. Sand slipped from under my feet. I was sliding downward to the water’s edge. Metres away a crocodile charged the...

2nd South African Adventure Summit 2024

SA Adventure Summit 2024 – Champagne Valley, Drakensberg From 11 to 14 June 2024, South Africa’s top adventure travel minds gathered in the breathtaking Champagne Valley of the Drakensberg for the SA Adventure Summit 2024. Hosted by Dirty Boots and proudly supported by ActivityBridge,...

South Africa’s first adventure summit (2017) Overberg

Highlights from the Inaugural South African Adventure Summit The first-ever SA Adventure Summit kicked off with a deeply personal and inspiring opening from Johan Radcliffe. Sharing his journey battling cancer, Johan revealed his two driving goals: to become a Guinness World Record holder and to...