There’s something about doing things we fear that we enjoy, the feeling of risk and reward that it comes with, the stories it creates, the thrill, and most of all the feeling of adrenaline that it brings. It’s a sensation that we can’t get enough of, and a sensation that’s found plentifully in Cape Town. Of course there are much more than five activities to get your blood pumping here, but for now, I’m only going to rank those which I’ve experienced for myself. In time I hope to expand this list in my upcoming “Mega Adrenaline Log”, but for now, here are: Five Adventures to have in Cape Town Ranked by Adrenaline:

Skeleton Gorge Hike: Starting with what’s probably my favorite hike in the world, as enjoyable as Skeleton Gorge is, it’s not because of adrenaline. Though the hike is quite steep and the mountain quite imposing, there are no stand out exhilarating moments. Clambering up ladders and slippery rock falls definitely give a little kick though. 4/10

Climbing Lions Head: Much shorter in both altitude and length than Skeleton Gorge, what Lions Head misses in grandness it makes up in earnest with its many thrilling moments. The trail spirals it’s way up the mountain, starting with a dusty path, then with rocky stairs, before scrambling over rocks and using ladders, staples and chains to reach the summit. Hanging onto the chains and staples while looking over a near cliff is a sure fire way to get your heart beat up a bit. At the top, hopping to an outlying rock to get your picture taken only adds to the adrenaline. 6/10 

Snorkeling with Seals: Seals aren’t exactly the scariest of beasts, and snorkeling in relatively calm water isn’t really a heart stopper, but the rush you get from this underrated activity isn’t from fear, it’s from elation. Experiencing the seals in their natural habitat is really an absolutely wondrous thing as they glide and twirl all around you. They’re not called the ballerinas of the sea for nothing. Your boat ride from the harbor to the seal colony (on a little island behind Hout Bay) and back is an adrenaline activity for itself as you fly over the water, getting launched into the air as you bounce over the waves. 8/10

Crocodile Cage Diving: Well this one’s quite hard to rank; on the one hand you’re simply standing on the inside of a cage in a sinisterly green pool where the crocs can’t get to you. On the other hand… these are Nile Crocodiles we’re dealing with! I have to admit, I really underestimated the thrill I would get while being perfectly safe, but when your face is pressed up against a deceivingly frail metal cage, and out of the murky waters a 600KG killing machine launches itself right into you, it’s easy to forget there’s anything between you at all. I came out of the cage with both respect and a healthy fear for what I now call the Marine Terminator. It adds to the terror that one of the crocs, Ratanga, was a certified man-eater. EIGHT TIMES. 9/10

Abseiling off Table Mountain: If you have even the slightest fear of heights, this might be the scariest thing you ever do. If you don’t, it might be the scariest thing you ever do. Unlike skydiving, it’s close enough to the ground to give you perspective of how high you are, and unlike bungee jumping, you’re going down at this height for quite a while. I recently recommended this to some friends and they came back calling it “the best and worst thing I’ve done in my life”. That’s quite a reasonable description, hanging at the top of the drop to get your picture taken, some 1067 meters (3500 feet) off the ground, your life may flash through your eyes and you’ll probably be trembling a bit, But after you’ve reached ground, this’ll be one experience you won’t forget easily. 10/10

Well there you have it. Disagree with anything or have something that I missed? Leave it in the comments below, I’d love to get your input.