It might be rather chilly at the moment, but the more adventurous peeps are still out and about doing their thing.

That’s no surprise, especially when you consider that South Africa has been named the world’s number one adventure destination of the year in Virtuoso’s 2018 Luxe Report.

That means we beat the likes of Iceland, New Zealand, Costa Rica and Antarctica – take that, suckers.

Given our country’s diverse landscape and optimal climate for outdoor endeavours, you’re missing a trick if you’re not at least dabbling in an outdoor hobby or two.

With ‘be prepared’ being the golden rule guiding this type of travel, Cape Union Mart shares some necessities that local and international travellers need to bring along when indulging in South Africa’s vast array of adventure activities this summer.

Top tools

Whether you have to repair your mountain bike after tackling tough terrain, need to cut twine to hang a tarp over your tent, or just want to open a beer (probably the most important of the tasks listed), having a multi-tool is a must when embarking on any outdoor exploit.

With the Leatherman Wave Plus (R1 999 available in-store and online), adventurers get a total of 17 tools including knives, pliers, interchangeable wire cutters and blades. Lightweight enough to be operated with only one hand, this is an essential piece of equipment for any endeavour.

Keep an eye out

A quality pair of binoculars will not only help you watch a sports game from the furthest seats at a stadium, but also come in handy when whale watching in Hermanus,  or for spotting the big five on safari in the Kruger National Park.

The compact, yet powerful Malkin 10×25 Roof Prism Binoculars (R350, available in-store and online) features precision-aligned optics to provide a great viewing experience, regardless of where your exciting excursions take you.

Portable power

Summer is all about gearing up to tackle outdoor pursuits. Be prepared for anything by ensuring that all your devices are charged up to capture exciting moments, and so that you can be contactable.

A handy device like the RED-E Compact RC10 (R399, available in-store and online), with its compact design, Polymer battery and LED-Indicators, will keep your electronics charged up with 10 000mAh.

Make memories

Capturing moments from your escapades in high-definition will let you relive the adrenalin-pumping experience and remind you of South Africa’s stunning scenery. The all-new GoPro HERO6 Black (R7 499, available in-store and online) offers the best quality video and images.

The advanced image stabilisation will enable you to get super smooth footage, while the waterproof functionality – at up to 10 metres – is ideal for snapping images of underwater life.

Plus, the impressive low-light performance and night photo modes makes it easy to record those after dark memories.

See the bigger picture

The Helicute VR Drone Kit (R1 499, available in-store only) is a must for getting a bird’s eye view of your outdoor activities and recording your summer highlights.

You read right – you’re getting a drone for a grand and a half.

Stay in full control of the drone with the help of the six-axis gyro stabiliser, which will allow you to perform 360-degree continuous rolls, like a pro, in no time.

Tick those five boxes above, dare to prepare for the upcoming summer season, and we look forward to seeing you out yonder.

It would be rude not to make the most of the world’s top adventure location, after all.