Perhaps one of the biggest untruths when planning your visit to the City of Gold is that there isn’t really anyway to escape to the outdoors.

Unlike the Cape Peninsula, the Johannesburg area and its immediate surrounds lack mountains, sea, and fresh air.

But that’s all a lie. You really can escape the urban confinement that Jozi is so well known for, and it’s not all that hard.

We hooked up with the fine travellers over at Gummie to get some first-hand knowledge on what to do if you’re mad about the outdoors – and they suggested some pretty cool things.

Like Hot Air Ballooning.

Yup, you can catch an hour long ride over the Magalies River Valley situated 45 minutes outside of Jozi. Here are the details:

On arrival early in the morning you will be offered a hot cup of tea or coffee, with some biscuits, too. After about one hour of flying above the valley the passengers crack a bottle of chilled sparkling wine to celebrate the special occasion. The experience is provided by Bill Harrop’s “Original” Balloon Safaris — an award-winning company and a pioneer of the ballooning industry in South Africa, operating in the sky for over 18 years.

Champagne included? Now that is as romantic as one can get.

But you don’t even have to leave the city.

Off the Northcliff Koppie, Sean Disney, a professional mountain guide and climber, will take you on an abseiling adventure, scaling down the mountain during a four hour session. Here are the deets:

You will meet at 9am and walk the short distance of 200m to the climbing crag.  All equipment is supplied and you will be taught to abseil the 20 – 30m off the climbing crag.  We will then attempt a few rock top rope climbs on the various registered routes on the hill.  The grade of the routes vary from SA grade 13 to 20.  You need to bring a daypack, gym shoes, hat, sunscreen, gym clothes, and water bottle.

Seriously, who would have thought that even possible off anything called a “koppie”? But it’s true.

The last surprise the Jozi offers involves bicycles and food.

Taking you on a half-day tour, one of South Africa’s top chefs, David Higgs, will take you on a truly Jozi experience starting at his rooftop restaurant, Marble, where you will experience an exclusive food tasting of the restaurant’s signature meals and then gear up and ride through the suburbs.

The route goes via Braamfontein Spruit and towards the Constitution Hill. There will be a stop for a tour of the prison and a coffee break. The second part of the route goes through the city — you’ll cycle the vibrant streets of Joburg’s CBD all the way towards Maboneng. With its numerous lunch and coffee spots, it is the perfect ending of a fun and eventful day out.

Gummie really is great for filling in those gaps when family members won’t take you. They pair you up with awesome guided tours in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, and show you a different side of the city you may hate or love.

Who knows?

Check out what else they have to offer for Johannesburg HERE. Otherwise, Cape Town peeps, we gave you some tips HERE and HERE.