Gear up for thrill-seeking adventures at this attraction set on the edge of Soweto township. Brave a bungee jump or launch yourself deep inside a brick tower. Enjoy views of Soweto’s rooftops and Johannesburg’s surrounding countryside. Orlando Towers is a pair of former cooling towers of the now decommissioned Orlando Power Station. Each tower rises to a height of about 330 feet (100 metres).
Stand at the base of the towers and browse the colourful murals, thought to be the biggest of their kind in South Africa. One portrays scenes from the daily life and culture of Soweto. It features jazz musicians, ramshackle houses, a train and women dressed in traditional African clothing. The other is used as a billboard for corporate brands such as banks and telecommunications companies.
Ride the elevator up the outside of the western tower and then climb a staircase to a viewing platform. Gaze across the sprawling Soweto district and see endless miles of grassland and rolling hills. Look down on the still water behind Orlando Dam.
Take part in the adventure sports offered at the towers. Have a unique thrill trying the 330-foot (100-metre) bungee jump from a suspension bridge. Jump backward into a freefall for 165 feet (50 metres) onto a suspended net inside the western tower. Experienced base jumpers can also jump unattached from the top of the towers.
Other activities include an 82-foot (25-metre) climb from the foot of a tower. Come with a group of friends and enjoy paintballing inside the bottom of a tower.
Find the attraction in the Orlando East suburb of Soweto, about a 30-minute drive from Johannesburg’s city centre. The most convenient way to get here is via rented car or taxi.
Orlando Towers is open from Thursday to Sunday and on public holidays. Fees apply for the individual activities. A full price list is available on the attraction’s official website. Visit the adjacent restaurant serving authentic sisha nyama, which includes grilled meats commonly eaten in South Africa’s townships.
