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Bouncing down a cliff face has never been so much fun
Abseiling
Abseiling off Table Mountain.
© Downhill Adventures
The world's highest commercial abseil is located on top of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa. Adventurers descend 112 metres in what could rank among the most scenic commercial abseiling opportunities offered anywhere on the planet.
There are however many more abseiling locations around South Africa which are worth looking into, depending on where your travel itinerary takes you.
For those who haven't tried abseiling, it basically involves leaping backwards down a cliff face, braced by your feet, while safely harnessed to a rope. Qualified instructors are on hand to guide you through the process and ensure your safety at all times.
Adventurers who wish to conquer the Table Mountain abseil can either hike up Platteklip Gorge to the top of the famous mountain, or catch the cablecar up. Before starting the decent, participants will have time to appreciate panoramic views of the Cape Town city centre, waterfront, the Atlantic Ocean and towns beyond the Mother City.
In Gauteng, the Orlando Towers in Soweto is probably the most famous abseiling venue. Here the descent is 100m, although the concave shape of the towers means adventurers are not in contact with the wall for the first 40m of their descent.
Orlando Towers is open for abseiling every Saturday morning and anyone weighing between 35kg and 130kg is welcome to have a go. It is advisable to book this adventure at least 48 hours in advance to ensure availability.
Explorers along the Garden Route can look into abseiling activities in Knysna, as well as the Storms River Valley.
Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West Province, a 1-hour drive from Johannesburg, is also well known for its abseiling.
In KwaZulu-Natal, some of the better known commercial abseiling locations are Howick Falls and Shongweni Dam.
Travel tips & Planning info
Who to contact
Downhill Adventures
Phone: +27 (0)21 422 0388
Email: info@downhilladventures.co.za
Abseil Africa
Phone: +27 21 424 4760
Email: info@abseilafrica.co.za
Orlando Towers
Soweto
Tel: +27 (0)71 674 4343
Email: info@orlandotowers.co.za
Go Trekking
Port Elizabeth
Tel: +27 82 731 4696
Email: info@govertical.co.za
How to get here
Consult with your chosen tour operator to see if they offer transport to the abseiling site, as they often do.
What will it cost
An abseiling experience usually costs between R250 and R900, depending on the location and length of abseil. An abseil down Table Mountain for example, would cost R600, excluding the cablecar ride to the top.
Length of stay
Leave yourself at least 3 hours for an abseiling adventure and check beforehand for more specific information, including prevailing weather.
What to pack
Your tour operator will provide all necessary equipment. You are advised to wear durable, outdoor clothing, tough hiking shoes and to be prepared for changeable weather conditions.
Best buys
A good windbreaker is an item of clothing worth buying for this adventure.