Whether you’re an experienced enthusiast or a first-timer, the thrill of bungee jumping (sometimes spelled bungy) can lead to discovering new locations and remarkable scenery as you dive into the unknown. While there are many amazing destinations for this activity globally, here are a few standouts in this world of extreme sports.
1. Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa
At 710 feet, the Bloukrans Bridge along the Garden Route in South Africa is the tallest jump location in the world. The single span arch bridge is located near Nature’s Valley, Western Cape, South Africa, and jump experts take you through the necessary preparations prior to this impressive jump. With a visually tantalizing backdrop and nothing but air as you fall, this is a knockout experience for bungee jumpers worldwide. So get with the countdown that happens before the jumps and take off in five, four, three, two…
2. Verzasca Dam, Switzerland
On the Verzasca River of Ticino, Switzerland is the Contra Dam (also known as Verzasca Dam or Locarno Dam). Following the 1995 “James Bond” film Goldeneye, starring Pierce Brosnan, where a stuntman jumped off the arch dam in the opening scene, it became a major bungee jumping destination among enthusiasts. Can’t blame jumpers either, as Bond movie moments are what extreme memories are made of.
3. The Nevis Highwire, Queenstown, New Zealand
New Zealand is already known as a land of adventure and the unknown, where explorers can discover places and things they’d never dreamed of. Additionally, Queenstown was the site for the world’s first commercial bungee jump location when the legendary A J Hackett somehow convinced people it was a good idea to jump off a bridge attached to an elastic chord. With all that in mind, it’s no wonder that they have multiple options for jumpers ready to launch themselves into the air. One of these is the Nevis Highwire. It’s not a bridge, but a remote station hanging from a wire across a canyon. It offers a 440-foot drop towards the river below, perfect for daredevil bungee lovers.
4. Victoria Falls, Zambia, Africa
Victoria Falls is a famous waterfall on the Zambezi River in southern Africa, and is a jump that is not for the faint of heart. It forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe and is 354-feet tall and 5,604 feet wide. The Kololo tribe that lived in the area in the 1800s described it as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) and bungee jumpers must get a real feel for that moniker, as water thunders in their ears while braving this incredible leap.
