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 visit Alaska. Against all odds, he achieved both—playing tennis for 59 hours straight to set the record, and traveling to Alaska with his friend Marthinus van der Westhuizen, embracing adventure and friendship. Johan’s story perfectly embodied the summit’s theme: “Keep It Real.”

Fikile Hlatshwayo, author of Blacks do Caravan, delivered a passionate and humorous keynote about redefining perceptions of camping among black South Africans. She challenged stereotypes, advocated for racial unity through shared outdoor experiences, and encouraged embracing adventure to build stronger communities.

With over 30 years in the industry, Darron Raw of Swazi Trails energized the audience with stories highlighting the importance of embracing risk and adventure in life. He urged delegates to “keep it real,” warning against society’s move away from adventure and responsibility, and encouraged living boldly amid uncertainty.

Government and Adventure Tourism were represented by insightful talks from key players: Thabo Manetsi (NDT) detailed national strategies focused on uniting communities, boosting domestic adventure tourism, and promoting year-round opportunities to sustain livelihoods. Glen Phillips (SANparks) emphasized sustainable adventure within protected areas and fostering inclusivity in national parks. Wilfred Williams (Cape Nature) shared their R200 million investment in infrastructure, seeking partnerships to grow adventure tourism, expand heritage site programs, and enhance mountain biking trails.

The SA Adventure Summit set a bold foundation to grow South Africa’s adventure tourism with authenticity, inclusivity, and sustainable growth at its core.