6 Best Places To Enjoy Bungee Jumping Around The World

Bungee jumping is probably on the list of every adrenalin junkie. Considered to be one of the easiest adventure sports in the world, Bungee jumping is basically just jumping off a high point. You attach one end of a long, measured rubber band to yourself, secure the other end to a fixed object, and then throw yourself off a bridge, tower, dam, or other tall structure. After that, you let the gravity do the work while your heart nearly beats out of your chest.

It is one of the most visceral and immediate thrills that any adventure traveller can experience, and fortunately, there plenty of places to give it a try all across the globe. Many of these locations offer spectacular views and amazing settings, not that you'll notice much while plummeting through the air.

Here are the top picks from around the world which offer the best bungee jumping experience:

* The Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand

This is probably where the adventure sport of bungee jumping came into being. Bungee pioneers AJ Hackett and Henry van Asch launched both themselves off the Kawarau Bridge in New Zealand back in 1988, and in the process, claim to have started this international phenomenon that came to be known as bungee jumping.There are even options to jump tandem if you have a like-minded travel companion, but if your friends don't want join in, they can watch everything while standing on the nearby observation deck.

* The Victoria Falls Bridge in Zimbabwe

At about 365 feet in height, the Victoria Falls Bridge in Zimbabwe is not the highest bungee jump in the world, but it's one of the most beautiful. This jump sends adrenaline junkies plummeting off the bridge toward the Zambezi River below. As you drop, the stunning views of the Batoka Gorge surround you, with the amazing Victoria Falls providing a dramatic backdrop. Dubbed the "smoke that thunders," the falls are one of the largest and most spectacular on the planet, so keep your eyes open on the way down.

* The Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado

Colorado is home to one of the highest bridge bungee jumps in the entire world. Looking down from the top of the Royal Gorge in Cañon City, the river seems like just a tiny ribbon far below. However, bungee jumping is banned from the bridge, except during an annual event called the Go Fast Games, which are held for just three days each year.

* The Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa

At more than 700 feet in height, the Bloukrans Bridge in South Africa is an intimidating sight to behold. This bungee destination can be found north of Cape Town and approximately 25 kilometers east of Plettenberg Bay. Open year round, this is a safe, smooth jump that that provides a massive rush of energy, then slowly and gently lowers you down.Face Adrenalin has been running this operation since 1997 and it is still one to the top places to jump on the entire African continent.

* The Navajo Bridge in Arizona

The Navajo Bridge is located near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and provides a jump site that is about 470 feet in height.Jumpers are surrounded by towering sandstone walls that run vertically alongside them as they plummet downward, making this a memorable drop indeed.There are several operators who offer bungee jumps from the bridge, and depending upon who you sign up with, you can also take a refreshing dip in the river afterwards at no extra charge.

* Verzasca Dam in Switzerland

With its 720+ foot plunge, the Verzasca Dam in Switzerland makes a pretty impressive place to bungee jump. Popped to popularity after being featured in a Bond movie (Golden Eye), this place has inspired thousands to follow the wake. Best of all, you can jump facing forwards, backwards, or even at night if you have the nerve. A company called Trekking Team AG can help you make your plunge memorable.