Crocodile cage diving is gaining momentum in South Africa.
Image: X/ Cango Wildlife Ranch
To me, shark cage diving qualifies as an extreme adventure. The thought of being in the water, protected by a cage but still surrounded by sharks, is about as attractive as being a contestant on "Fear Factor". I'll pass.
But I’m aware of how popular it is among tourists.
Travel insurance specialists InsureandGo have identified the natural experiences currently experiencing a massive surge in demand for 2026.
The research, which revealed shark cage diving as the top global nature adventure, was based on analysing over 1,500 social media conversations and tracking Google search data.
This data was used to determine which bucket list adventures are currently exploding in popularity, as we reported last week.
I was completely taken aback when a colleague mentioned that crocodile diving is gaining popularity. Initially, I didn't believe him and thought he was just joking. However, my curiosity eventually led me to Google it.
It’s an actual thing. No joke.
I quickly went down a rabbit hole of research after finding myself looking at the high-adrenaline activities on offer, exploring why these unusual pursuits are so sought-after.
Adventure tourism's appeal extends beyond the simple adrenaline rush, according to the Black Boats website, often incorporating a sense of danger.
It noted that engaging in adventure tourism can also be a journey of self-discovery. Facing fears, learning new skills, and overcoming challenges can help individuals learn more about their personal strengths and weaknesses.
These experiences often promote personal growth and self-reflection, leading to a deeper understanding of oneself and a clearer sense of personal values and goals.
Adventure tourism is more than just a thrill; it's a powerful tool for self-discovery. By confronting fears, acquiring new skills, and overcoming obstacles, participants gain valuable insights into their own strengths and weaknesses.
These challenging experiences naturally foster personal growth and self-reflection, culminating in a deeper self-understanding and a more defined sense of personal goals and values.
It noted that adventure tourism is booming as people increasingly look for deep, enriching experiences that satisfy several psychological desires.
These activities offer the excitement of taking risks, a break from everyday life, the sense of accomplishment from overcoming obstacles, and the chance to forge bonds through shared experiences.
From high-speed boat tours to tackling isolated mountain paths, the variety of adventures is wide, and so too are the psychological rewards they deliver to thrill-seekers globally.
That said, if you are into thrill-seeker holidays, these are your options:
Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe is popular for crocodile cage diving.
Image: Tamuka Travel
Intrigued? Here is what you need to know about this activity.
Unlike shark cage diving in South Africa, which is a common open-ocean activity, crocodile cage diving is not as widely available.
This adventure involves tourists being submerged in a steel cage in a freshwater pool that is filled with large crocodiles.
For those wary of a close encounter with these powerful-jawed, semi-aquatic predators, rest assured: you will enjoy a 360-degree underwater view as they are being fed.
This particular experience is primarily available in three locations in the Western Cape: Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn (often cited as the originator), Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm in Paarl near Cape Town, and Afrikanos in Gansbaai.
This experience is offered in three main locations within the Western Cape: Cango Wildlife Ranch in Oudtshoorn (often credited as the first), Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm near Cape Town in Paarl, and Afrikanos in Gansbaai.
You can also experience this adventure when you visit Darwin in Australia, Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe or Cabo San Lucas in Mexico.
You know how South Africa is the go-to spot for the best safari experience. Well, the Big 5 isn’t the only drawcard in the world of extreme tourism.
Churchill, Manitoba, in Canada, holds the title of the "Polar Bear Capital of the World" and is the top destination for polar bear viewing.
The optimal viewing period is during October and November when the bears migrate along the Hudson Bay.
Specialised tundra buggy tours allow for safe, close-up encounters, and multi-day packages also offer the chance to see other arctic wildlife.
Running with the bulls is a popular, adrenaline-inducing event that takes place in Pamplona, Spain.
Image: Pexels/ San Fermin Pamplona
The experience of running with the bulls (known as encierro) has been captured in movies and on television.
This popular and adrenaline-inducing event takes place in Pamplona, Spain, as part of the San Fermin festival, occurring daily from July 7 to 14. The running of the bulls involves participants sprinting through the city's narrow streets, ahead of six loose fighting bulls being herded toward the bull ring.
While fatalities are uncommon, injuries are to be expected, as not everyone possesses Usain Bolt's speed.
The event dates back to the 16th century and gained widespread popularity after being featured in Ernest Hemingway's novel, “The Sun Also Rises”. Participants in this event traditionally wear white attire complemented by red scarves or sashes.
If you're eager to try bull riding, numerous options exist across the US and Canada, including opportunities tailored for beginners.
For a more close-up wildlife encounter, you can't go wrong with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.
Image: Volcanoes Natioanl Park Rwanda
Rwanda, famously the setting for the book and film “Gorillas in the Mist”, served as the base for the groundbreaking primatologist, Dian Fossey.
Her work in the late 1960s was crucial, establishing the groundwork for mountain-gorilla protection and later being chronicled in the book, which was subsequently adapted for the big screen.
Hollywood actor Kevin Hart recently recounted his family's incredible, "Jumanji"-esque experience during a wild adventure in Rwanda in his Netflix special, "Acting My Age", a few months ago.
If you are up for the challenge, this high-end wildlife experience is located in Volcanoes National Park. Visitors get to enjoy close-up encounters with the mountain gorillas in their natural habitat.
The trek can last anywhere between one and four hours. The best time to visit is February or from June to September.
Cave diving is a highly specialised, technical type of underwater exploration.
Image: Pexels/ Caroline-o-marcel
This is a highly specialised, technical type of underwater exploration.
It involves navigating enclosed, water-filled, or overhead environments.
Due to the lack of direct vertical access to the surface, this activity demands stringent safety protocols, specific equipment, and advanced training, setting it apart from open-water diving.
To navigate and ensure a clear exit path, divers rely on guidelines. They also utilise specific manoeuvres, such as the "frog kick", to prevent stirring up sediment.
You can experience cave diving at several global destinations, including the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico, the Florida Springs in the USA, The Bahamas, Europe and Mount Gambier in South Australia.
Zimbabwe's Chinhoyi Caves are another option, providing exceptionally clear water diving in a limestone cave system that caters to divers with various certification levels.
South Africa's Boesmansgat sinkhole and Komati Springs are challenging dive sites, mainly recommended for technical and highly experienced divers due to their depth and demanding conditions.
For thrill-seekers, waterfall kayaking is another experience that pushes the boundaries.
Image: Pexels/ Jake-pnw
For adrenaline junkies, this is another experience that pushes the boundaries.
Precision speed control and specialised techniques are essential for this extreme whitewater sport, which involves paddling off vertical drops.
Handling high-impact, turbulent landings requires immense participant skill and poses risks of severe injury. Therefore, practising on smaller drops beforehand is crucial.
The activity presents several significant dangers:
If you are looking to live on the edge, literally, famous spots for waterfall kayaking include Alexandra Falls in Canada, Norway and Rainbow Falls in New Zealand.
Closer to home, try waterfall kayaking at Kaaimans River, South Africa, which features a hidden waterfall accessible by kayak, offering a more scenic, adventurous experience near the Garden Route; and Ivindo River in Gabon, which is known for its challenging, remote, and large-volume water.