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OOribi Gorge is as famous for its dramatic scenery as it is for its exhilarating wilderness activities. If you’re in KwaZulu-Natal and you’re not only craving adventure, but all the beautiful scenery that comes with it too, then you need to go to Oribi Gorge. Forget the Big Five, here you can push yourself to the limits with South Africa’s Wild Five.
Whether you’re an adventurer, bird lover, photographer, nature-lover, a solo traveller or a family trekker, Oribi Gorge, on KwaZulu-Natal’s South Coast, has something for everyone. Here, gorge swings, abseiling, mountain biking and white-water rafting come standard with any visit.
When it comes to abseiling in South Africa, few sites can match the rush offered by Oribi Gorge's Wild Abseil. At 110m high, it’s one of the world's premier natural commercial abseils. Abseilers are lowered over the edge of the gorge, right next to the spectacular Lehrs Falls, to drop the hundred-odd metres into the valley below. The first 45m is a cliff abseil and the remaining 65m, a free abseil.
Did You Know?
AAt the base of the cliffs of both gorges, the basement rocks are part of the Kaapvaal Craton, which is over 1000-million-years-old.
AAnd the action doesn't stop there. The Wild Abseil is part of the gorge's Wild Five adventure activity roster, which includes the Wild Swing and the Wild Slide. The Wild Swing is one of the most popular big swings in South Africa and the highest in the world. It entails a heart-stopping leap off the top of the waterfall that leaves you swinging more than 100m to the gorge below.
TThe Wild Slide is slightly less hair-raising and involves sliding 160m above the valley along a 120m-long steel cable across the front of the falls – the perfect opportunity to soak up the beauty of the Gorge with the best views in the house. Professional instructors are available to assist with all activities and the highest safety standards are adhered to. All safety equipment, including full-body harnesses, is provided.
The Oribi Gorge also features some beautiful hikes, ranging from easy one-kilometre trails to more challenging nine-kilometre hikes. A guided overnight trail that includes abseiling is also available. With grade three to five rapids, the Umzimkulu River provides great white-water rafting conditions. Half-day, full-day and two-day packages are available, with two-man inflatable rafts being used when water levels are lower than during the summer rainfall season.
And for those who prefer to sit and watch as their friends and family take on their bucket lists, there’s a pretty magnificent view to accompany you while you do so.
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