| Throw yourself off a cliff! | | | | extreme name – this is definitely one for the |
| Does throwing yourself over the side of a cliff or | | | | adrenaline-junkies. You hike into a magnificent river |
| down the edge of a waterfall with only a rope and | | | | gorge where you can test your nerves with kloofing |
| harness appeal to your sense of adventure? Then | | | | – which involve s cliff jumps into rock pools, ranging |
| abseiling in South Africa is for you. You can enjoy | | | | from a sedate 3 metres to a crazy 22 metres high. |
| South Africa's spectacular scenery, while experiencing | | | | You can then attempt the 60m abseil down the |
| the adrenaline rush of making your way down a steep | | | | cascading Thunderfalls. |
| cliff. | | | | Other incredible abseil spots |
| Abseiling is quite different from rock climbing – you | | | | In the heart of the Garden Route is Knysna, with its |
| are attached to a harness and rapple down a cliff to | | | | spectacular 'Heads' - two sandstone cliffs which form |
| land safely on the ground. It is a very safe sport and | | | | the Knysna River Mouth and guard the Knysna |
| no previous experience is necessary. It's only recently | | | | Lagoon’s entrance to the sea. It's considered one |
| that abseiling has become an extreme sport in its own | | | | of the most treacherous stretches of water known to |
| right. Previously, it was just the way climbers would get | | | | sailors, but it's also one of the most scenic, and is the |
| off mountains, but mountaineers realised it was a fun | | | | perfect location for an incredible abseiling experience. |
| activity on its own, and South Africa offers some | | | | You can cross the lagoon in an Indian canoe to start |
| great locations to do this exhilarating sport. | | | | your abseiling adventure on the Heads. There are |
| Qualified abseil guides will demonstrate the correct | | | | three abseil routes on the impressive western head |
| techniques and give you full instructions, and then it's up | | | | including a very high, exposed site hanging right out |
| to you to go over the edge! All the necessary gear is | | | | over the crashing waves. You can also try rapp |
| provided by abseiling operators, so you'll only need to | | | | jumping here – running face-forward while gazing |
| bring walking shoes, comfortable clothes and, of | | | | into the turbulent ocean will be an unforgettable |
| course, a pinch of courage! | | | | experience! |
| Cape Town – Abseiling Paradise | | | | Not far from Knysna, you can do a combination |
| South Africa boasts the highest commercial abseil in | | | | abseiling and kloofing trip down the scenic Storms |
| the world – a whopping 112m off the top of the | | | | River Gorge, which involves a range of adventure |
| stunning Table Mountain. The drop is also about a | | | | activities, including an 100m abseil into the gorge, a |
| kilometre above the city, so expect breathtaking views | | | | tubing trip down the river, a short walk out of the |
| of gorgeous Cape Town and the deep blue Atlantic. | | | | gorge and then a cycle back to the village. |
| Cape Town, lying between the sea and spectacular | | | | Several abseiling sites are concentrated around the |
| mountains, is rated as one of the most beautiful cities | | | | Drakensberg mountain range and Kwa-Zulu Natal |
| in the world, and abseiling Table Mountain will definitely | | | | Midlands. In addition to abseiling, these areas offer |
| give you an awesome new angle on the famous city. | | | | hiking and rafting trips through stunning scenery, with |
| The abseil off the Mountain is a controlled descent, and | | | | the opportunity to view birds and wildlife along the |
| no climbing experience is necessary: you can either | | | | way. Oribi Gorge Resort near Port Shepstone in |
| walk or cable-car your way to the top of the mountain | | | | KwaZulu-Natal offers the Wild Abseil, which comes |
| and then join the operators for the incredible journey | | | | close to Table Mountain's measurements at an |
| down. | | | | impressive 110m. The first part is a 45m cliff abseil, with |
| Really get your adrenaline pumping by abseiling off | | | | your feet planted against the cliffside, and the |
| Chapmans Peak, which is South Africa's most famous | | | | remaining 65m is an exhilarating free abseil. |
| and dramatic coastal drive. You can dangle above | | | | Coastal regions do not disappoint, with abseiling |
| crashing waves while 'freefall abseiling', or if you're | | | | companies operating out of Coffee Bay on the |
| brave (or crazy!) enough, you can even try 'rapp | | | | Eastern Cape's Wild Coast and Margate in |
| jumping'. Rapp jumping involves abseiling with the ropes | | | | Kwazulu-Natal. If you're not able to get out of the city, |
| attached to your back instead of your front, so you go | | | | and would still like to try this extreme sport, you can |
| down facing the ground – and you can actually run | | | | abseil or rapp jump down skyscrapers in Durban and |
| down a cliff face-first! | | | | Johannesburg – a really unique way to get an aerial |
| Kamikaze Canyon in Cape Town lives up to its | | | | view of the city. |