How to Get Your Paragliding Licence in South Africa — 4 Course Options With Sky Safari

So you want to learn to fly? Good news — South Africa is one of the best places in the world to earn your paragliding licence. Between the Garden Route's coastal ridges and Cape Town's mountain thermals, the Western Cape offers some of the most diverse and spectacular training sites you'll find anywhere.

At Sky Safari, we offer four course packages designed to suit different budgets, timeframes, and goals. All courses are taught by SAHPA-certified instructors using mountain foot launches at world-class sites. No prior experience is needed — just a passion for adventure.

What Licence Will You Earn?

All our full courses lead to the IPPI 4 paragliding licence (equivalent to the SAHPA Basic Licence). This is an internationally recognised qualification that allows you to fly independently at sites worldwide. In South Africa, a paragliding licence is a legal requirement — it's issued by SAHPA under the authority of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Sky Safari is a SACAA Declared Training Organisation (DTO 0038) and fully SAHPA accredited. Your training is led by Chief Flight Instructor Handré Fouché, who has logged over 9,000 flights and has been instructing full-time since 2018.

Option 1 — 4-Day Intro to Paragliding (R16,000)

Perfect if you want to test the waters before committing to a full licence. Over four action-packed days, you'll go from ground-handling basics to supervised solo flights off the mountain. The course includes all equipment, 3 nights accommodation, meals, and an instructional tandem flight with your instructor.

The best part? If you decide to continue to the full licence, the R16,000 is deducted from the full course price. So there's zero risk in trying.

Option 2 — Full Licence with School Equipment (R28,000)

Earn your full IPPI 4 licence using Sky Safari's school equipment. This is ideal if you already own gear, want to try the sport before investing in a full kit, or prefer to source your own equipment later. You'll complete 35+ flights across the Garden Route and Cape Town region, a 4-hour theory class, and a written exam. Accommodation and meals are not included, giving you flexibility to arrange your own.

Option 3 — Licence + Your Own Brand-New Equipment (R100,000)

Complete the full licence course and walk away with a complete brand-new Sky Paragliders kit — including the Sky Gaia 3 paraglider, GII5 harness, Sky System reserve parachute, and Charlie helmet. The equipment alone retails for around R105,000, making this an incredible deal. You arrange your own accommodation and meals.

Option 4 — The Full Training Tour (R120,000) ★ Recommended

This is the ultimate package and our most popular option. Everything is included — your full licence course, brand-new equipment, 11+ nights accommodation, breakfast daily, 6 dinners, airport transfers, and all transport between flying sites. You'll train across two of South Africa's most spectacular flying regions over 12–14 days.

Training typically starts on the Garden Route in Wilderness — widely regarded as the heart of South African paragliding. You'll fly coastal ridges at Map of Africa, practise on the sand dunes at Paradise Ridge, and soar along the dramatic cliffs at Kleinkrantz and Sedgefield. From there, you move to the Cape Town region for inland thermals at Sir Lowry's Pass and Porterville, plus stunning coastal flights at Langebaan, Hermanus, and Betty's Bay.

What Does Training Actually Look Like?

Your training starts with ground handling — learning to kite the paraglider on flat ground and control the wing above your head. This is the foundation for everything that follows. From there, you progress to supervised solo flights with full two-way radio support. Your instructor guides you through every take-off, turn, and landing.

You'll also complete instructional tandem flights with your instructor to build technique and in-flight awareness. Theory sessions cover weather reading, aerodynamics, air law, emergency procedures, and decision-making. By the end, you'll have completed 35+ flights, passed a written exam, and earned a licence that lets you fly anywhere in the world.

2026 Course Dates

Training Tours (12–14 days) are scheduled for 13–26 September 2026 and 4–17 October 2026, with 5 spaces available per tour. Book at least 8 weeks in advance if you're choosing an equipment package, as your kit is made to order in your preferred size and colour.

The 4-Day Intro and Full Licence courses run throughout February to April and August to November, subject to weather and instructor availability. We're flexible — contact us to arrange dates that work for you.

Ready to Start Flying?

Whether you're a complete beginner, an adventure traveller, or someone who's always dreamed of flying — there's a course for you. No experience needed. Just show up with enthusiasm and we'll take care of the rest.

WhatsApp us on +27 72 252 1678 or email fly@skysafari.co.za to chat about which option is right for you. Spaces are limited, so don't leave it too late.