Maybe you've heard about the fantastic cross-country flying in South Africa.
Or you've seen a photo of the endless sunny sky.
Or you just want to escape winter in the northern hemisphere.
Whatever your reasons, all you need do for a great flying holiday is to get some friends together and get on a flight to Cape Town.
There's no special medication you need, no difficulty with credit cards.
Our currency is weak relative to the Euro or Dollar, so travelling is affordable.
South Africa is a well-developed country with a strong road infrastructure, cellphone networks, retail and tourism industry.
But our public transport system is bad.
When you arrive, hire a vehicle (with airconditioning).
Get a cooler box and cram it full of drinks.
Get a sunhat, and a prepaid cellphone card.
Now you're sorted.
The Lay of the Land Most of the country is raised to 1000m above sea level on a large plateau.
An escarpment separates the inland from the fertile coastal plains.
The western third of South Africa has winter rainfall (June - August), and is dry and hot in summer.
The eastern two-thirds has summer rainfall (November - March), with big thunderstorms in the afternoon.
Autumn is mild everywhere.
Winter is when the lowveld sites like Barberton (extreme north-east of SA) deliver the goods.
Spring transforms the KwaZulu Natal province (southeast of SA) into an aerial playground - with Bulwer at the centre.
Then we're back to summer, and the consistent big distance-flying to be enjoyed in the Cape Province between November and March.
A Focus on the Western Cape There are sites for every wind direction and grade of pilot.
In the Cape Peninsula, the sites rely on the Westerly wind to provide gentle soaring conditions.
Table Mountain stands head and shoulders above the rest, demanding a high level of competence and commitment on its treacherous cliff-launch.
When the wind swings to the South East, Lion's Head is sheltered by the Table Mountain massif, and flying in the lee-side wind-shadow can be fun.
Travelling out to Hermanus on the nearby south coast offers a nice blend of thermic and dynamic conditions, with safe landing areas and easy retrieve.
On the way there, you will summit Sir Lowry's Pass.
North, along the mountain range, lies Porterville, where most of the xc flying in the Western Cape happens.
A flight here could take you along the dramatic Cedarberg mountains to the Clanwilliam Dam, or even to the distant site of Van Rhyn's Pass (200km), where you'll find the wildest, most remote thermic site we have (usually flown in autumn and spring).
It showcases the stark beauty of the desert - thorn-scrub, aloe, cactus and fynbos cover the harsh landscape.
Six hours drive from there, and you've reached De Aar to the east.
In the heart of the Cape interior, De Aar is the site of many world records for distance and altitude, due to the high wind speeds aloft and high cloudbases.
The Garden Route Situated 500km to the east of Cape Town on the coast, the flying conditions are mild, the ridges long, and the sea is warm.
A holiday atmosphere permeates everything you see, from the rich green forests, to the golden sands, from the grassed launch sites to friendly, laid-back locals.
Sites like Paradise Ridge and Map of Africa are not to be missed for hours of mellow soaring in the afternoon sea breezes.
THE TWO WEEK TOUR Designed for your average group, with one experienced pilot to be the guide.
This route will take you to the most reliable sites with easy access and simple flying.
Day 1 - 5: Cape Town and surrounds.
Choose your flying site depending on the wind conditions (see the end of article for information sources).
SE : Hermanus.
A 100m high, overlooking a coastal village.
(90min drive) SW : Lion's Head.
Overlooking the best beach in Cape Town.
(10min drive) W : Sir Lowry's Pass.
A mountain for cross-country flying.
(45min drive) NW : Franschhoek.
A pass at the end of a picturesque valley.
(60min drive) If it's not flyable, there's loads to do, from going on a wine tour in the Franschhoek and Sir Lowry's Pass area, whalewatching/sharkdiving in Hermanus, babe-watching on Clifton Beach (below Lion's Head), or just wandering around the city and the Waterfront.
Day 6 - 9: Porterville for cross country.
Flyable 5 out of 7 days in summer, this site has a 40km ridge running north and south from the launch site, with a road close to the foot of the mountain and big plains out front.
Excellent for learning to fly xc.
Porterville itself is a small town, but there are some alternative activities like hiking to the waterfall and mountain-biking.
There are some stores and a few restaurants.
Spend a night camping at the Clanwilliam Dam to really appreciate the area, or get all soft at the Citrusdal Hot Springs.
Day 10 - 13: Visit the Garden Route for coastal soaring fun.
SE : Map of Africa overlooking Wilderness for soaring S : Sedgeview overlooking Sedgefield for thermic flying SW : Kleinkrantz dunes soaring to Paradise Ridge (7km) Day 14: Cape Town flying, departure late evening.
THE THREE WEEK TOUR Designed for experienced cross-country pilots, for those who want to explore beyond the traditional route, it will keep you moving, safari style, from one site to another.
You'll need a group so you can take turns at driving for this to work well.
A high-clearance vehicle is recommended.
Drive to the next place in the late afternoons after flying, so you're ready to fly the next morning.
Cape Town : settle in, see the town, go up Table Mountain.
Fly Lion's Head.
Sir Lowry's pass (50km drive) : fly north and try to get to Stellenbosch.
Franschhoek (40km drive) : wine, restaurants, scenic flying.
Koringberg (110km drive) : holds almost all wind directions for xc.
Porterville (50km drive) : typically you'll fly north from here, 50-100km.
Van Rhyns (210km drive) : extreme thermic site, flat over the back Calvinia (75km drive) : walk up the foothills outside of town.
Dry and remote.
De Aar (425km) : a long drive through to SA's top big distance winch park.
Graaff Reinet (235km drive) : a memorable place with a dramatic mountain Knysna (250km drive) : oysters, lagoons, restaurants, coastal ridge soaring.
Wilderness (40km drive) : more chilling out, ridge soaring, swimming.
Barrydale (140km) : on the long mountain chain between coast and inland.
Hermanus (230km) : soaring, easy toplanding.
Modern tourist village.
Cape Town (100km) : a range of sites to choose from.
Cautions: For consistent flying and big distance potential, South Africa can't be beaten.
But coming from Europe and other mild climates, pilots can find the strong conditions of South Africa overwhelming.
Take care! Temperatures can be high in the afternoons, with low humidity.
Turbulence near the ground is common.
Ground-handling skills are essential, as our launch areas are small and usually windy.
Flying inland in summer at midday is only recommended for experienced pilots.
The coastal sites are more forgiving.
Licences : The South African Hang-gliding and Paragliding Association (SAHPA) controls the sport and requires you to take out a Temporary Membership.
Ask your flying association for an IPPI card (International Pilot Proficiency Card) which allows for an easy conversion of your licence grade across borders.
Bring proof of your flying experience with you (recent logbook).
Most sites have a grading, allowing newcomers to avoid dangerous areas until they have the required experience.
It is best to contact the local club before flying a site for the first time, to learn about the rules and dangers.
How to find the flying sites: The FRESH AIR SITE GUIDE is packed with information : descriptions, flying tips, contact details, and directions to each of more than 135 sites.
It is the definitive reference for paragliding and hang-gliding in South Africa.
Read more about it on Eternity Press