Bungee jumping is the ultimate extreme sport. Unlike mountain climbing or heli-skiing, which require a great deal of skill, bungee jumping simply requires a healthy heart and a love of adrenaline. This is a popular activity in many destinations, so it is relatively easy to find places to bungee jump while traveling. There are some interesting standout however. Some bungee jumping sites are known for their natural beauty, while others are simply known for their sheer height. If you want the ultimate thrill, you can try one of the world’s tallest or most spectacular bungee jumps.
Here is where to find them.
Bloukrans Bridge, South Africa
Photo: Axel Hecht / Flickr
For several years in the late 1990s, this South African arch bridge was home to the world’s tallest jump. At over 200 meters, it is still nothing to sneeze at, even though other jumps have larger falls overall. If you care about enjoying the view from the top before making the leap, Bloukrans is a good choice because it is one of the most scenic places to bungee jump. The Bloukrans River is surrounded by a steep valley, which seems to stretch all the way to the horizon.
Verzasca Dam, Switzerland
Photo: twicepix / Flickr
This dam is 220 meters tall. People who want to get a taste of what the jump is like can watch the James Bond film Goldeneye, in which Verzasca is featured. Since jumpers are surrounded by concrete, this jump probably requires a bit more nerve than the others on this list. However, the bungee jump at Verzasca has been in operation for a long time and experienced jump-masters are on hand to make sure that conditions are safe.
Pipeline Bungee, New Zealand
Photo: David Holt London / Flickr
If you want to enjoy a bungee-themed vacation, New Zealand is arguably the best country in the world for you to visit. One of the highlights in this extreme-sports-happy country is the Pipeline Bungee. Thrill-seekers jump off of one of the tallest singe-span suspension bridges on earth and free-fall for nearly five seconds, stopping just above the rapids of the Shotover River. This jump utilizes nearly all the space between the bridge and the water, with jumpers actually secured by jump-masters in a boat on the river.
Last Resort, Nepal
Photo: stevehicks / Flickr
Some people might get enough of an adrenaline buzz by simple walking across this narrow suspension bridge above an impossibly deep tropical valley in Nepal. If you are in search of scenery, this is the jump for you. Like the Pipeline, jumpers fall towards a raging rapids deep in the valley below. If you aren’t completely blinded by the rush off falling from such a great height, you can enjoy the unparalleled scenery on the way down.
Victoria Falls
Photo: ctsnow / Flickr
Yes, this world-famous falls, between Zimbabwe and Zambia, is home to one of Africa’s most well known bungee jumps. Jumpers can actually feel the spray from the roaring water as they free-fall. This close brush with the falls means that this is not a jump for the faint of heart. The massive Zambezi River, on which the falls is located, is filled with other exciting attractions as well, with rafting and game-viewing safaris also on the menu for adventure-seekers.
Macau Tower, Macau
Photo: Mr Wabu / Flickr
The current king of bungee, in terms of overall height, is the Macau Tower, located in the Chinese territory of Macau. Jumpers take off from the top of a massive tower and free-fall for nearly six seconds, stopping about 30 meters above the ground. The jump is run by bungee specialists from AJ Hackett, one of the most trusted bungee operators. Don’t want to bungee? There is also an activity called the Skyjump, which is a tethered jump that brings excitement-seekers from the top of the tower to the bottom in about 20 seconds. Macau is also the world’s largest gambling destination in terms of annual revenue, so this is certainly a great place to find other kinds of excitement as well.
Have you experienced the adrenaline rush of bungee jumping? If you can add to our list of the tallest and most spectacular bungee jumps in the world, please do so in the comments section below.
