Satsa’s “101 Adventures” Sets New Benchmark For Southern African Adventure Tourism

SATSA has launched a new toolkit and five category-specific Codes of Good Practice, marking another milestone in the industry’s journey towards global best practices and enhanced safety standards.

“SATSA’s first set of guidelines was released in 2023,” says Hannelie du Toit, SATSA COO. “It introduced a new level of compliance in a sector that was, at that point, largely unregulated. Today’s launch gives more adventure operators the tools they need to meet international safety standards – and visitors peace of mind when they’re booking adventures and activities.”

The new resources, which are being shared publicly for the first time at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025 – and live on SATSA’s website – cover five important categories:

• Aerial Non-Flight Activities (including zip lines, rope courses, canopy tours, and suspension bridges)
• Wheel-Based Activities (including mountain biking, BMX, skateboarding, ATVs, quad biking, and off-road motorcycling)
• Boat-Based Activities (including whale watching, shark cage diving and other marine-based activities)
• Paddling & Rafting Activities (on flat water, flowing water and oceans, including rafts, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards)
• Hiking & Trekking Activities (from short day walks to multi-day expeditions)

These documents are open to public comment and are intended to spark dialogue, encourage industry input, and ensure broad-based ownership of the standards that will define the future of Southern Africa’s adventure tourism.

A Risk, Safety and Incident Management Toolkit has also been added, broadening the arsenal of existing resources. Currently, the resource library consists of a Self-Regulation Road Map, a General Code of Good Practice Guide and Checklist, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Participant Care.

First-of-its-kind self-assessment tool and updated resources

In another exciting development, SATSA has introduced a Self-Assessment Tool for adventure operators in Southern Africa. Designed to measure alignment with global best practices, the tool is freely available. It provides operators with a detailed benchmark of their operations across key areas, including safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.

Operators who complete the assessment will also receive tailored feedback, practical tips, and links to additional resources – all at no cost.

In line with this, all SATSA adventure tourism resources have been reviewed and updated to reflect current international standards and evolving market demands. The full range of toolkits and the self-assessment tool can be accessed via the SATSA website.

“What’s really exciting is the level of industry input and buy-in. Right from the very beginning in 2023, industry experts have really leaned in to offer their expertise and support, including the team at Dirty Boots, SATIB Insurance Brokers, and Nick Shaw, SATSA’s Adventure Chapter Chair,” says du Toit.

As du Toit explains, what makes the approach unique is its fluid, collaborative nature. The toolkits include publication and review dates, allowing for honest feedback, additional input, and ongoing updates as standards evolve and technology advances. The framework actively encourages industry feedback, creating a living document that grows with the industry.

“The new documents align with international best practice, incorporating elements from ISO standards, European standards, Australian frameworks and input from the Adventure Travel Trade Association’s (ATTA) Travel Life programme,” says Nick Shaw, Adventure Chapter Chairperson.

Economic impact across all regions

Adventure tourism plays a crucial role in South Africa’s broader tourism strategy, particularly in addressing geographic diversity, job creation, youth development, and tourism prosperity.

While traditional tourism hotspots like Cape Town and Kruger National Park have recovered strongly post-pandemic, regions like the Eastern Cape, which has so much potential as an adventure destination – have lagged far behind.

“There’s a reason this initiative is called ‘101 Adventures’,” says SATSA CEO David Frost: “While New Zealand may call itself the adventure capital of the world, South Africa offers a far more diverse range of adventure experiences with superior products – closer to 104 at last count – we just need to position ourselves better globally. These toolkits are a critical step in that direction.”

Next steps

Alongside the launch of the “101 Adventures Southern Africa” toolkits and self-assessment tool, SATSA is conducting a comprehensive Adventure Tourism Industry Survey to better understand the sector’s size, economic contribution, and employment statistics. All adventure tourism operators are encouraged to participate by completing the survey here.

A webinar scheduled for 28 May at 12:00 will guide operators through the toolkits, the self-assessment process, and how to attain certification. Regular quarterly webinars will follow, providing ongoing support and updates.

“This initiative is about positioning Southern Africa as the premier global adventure destination,” says Frost. “We have the industry will – now we’re creating a framework that will drive growth, ensure safety, and spread tourism benefits to every corner of our region.”