If you’re not afraid of heights and you have a craving for the extreme, then abseiling in South Africa is just for you. It's only recently that abseiling has become an activity in its own right; and a very popular one at that. Abseiling is really just the method climbers use to get off mountains -- or special services forces use to descend deserted buildings into enemy territory in adventure movies -- but it's fun, and so it's become available as an activity in its own right.
Abseiling’s attraction lies not only with the rush of descending an otherwise impassable cliff, but also in the opportunity to experience the view and magnificence of the landscapes around you. The unique vantage points that abseiling in South Africa provides you with, will allow you to enjoy uninterrupted views of incredible mountain rock faces, valley and gorges. Whilst your first abseiling experience will probably not include much sightseeing on the way down, once you’re accustomed to it, the views and experiences that you’ll enjoy are unparalleled.
You can hang out on the cliffs of Table Mountain in Cape Town. The "long drop" is 112m high - and about a kilometre above the city - making it the world's highest commercial abseil.
For a reasonable fee, you can book the services of a professional abseiling company who’ll guide you through the in’s and out’s of abseiling and then help you to face you fears as you repel off the cliff and drop 112m back down to terra firma.
There are three abseil routes on the spectacular western head at Knysna, further up the Cape east coast - including a really high, very exposed site hanging right out over the crashing waves.
Whilst Knysna boasts of being one of the most scenic areas in South Africa, the view will more than likely be the last thing on your mind as you brave the cliff faces and make your steady descent to the ground below. Abseiling in Knysna provides the opportunity to make a breathtaking descent on a totally exposed cliff with the waves crashing into the rocks below - an experience for only the very brave, or the slightly crazy abseiling enthusiast.
Not far from Knysna, and also with fantastic views, you can do a combination abseiling and kloofing (canyoning) trip down the Storms River Gorge, which involves a 100m abseil into the gorge, a tubing trip down the river, a short walk out of the gorge and then a cycle back to the village. There are adventure combination packages available that will allow you to have an adrenaline filled day involving an amazing 100m abseil into a stunning valley, a tube ride down the river and finally an invigorating cycle to the village.
Other abseiling combination packages can be found inland near the Hartbeespoort Dam. Those who’re keen to try abseiling, but who don’t feel quite up to the challenge of a 100m drop, can test their limits at the abseiling spots around Crocodile River. A combination abseiling package includes a 40m abseil into a magnificent mountain gorge, followed by an exciting river-rafting trip through Grade 1 and Grade 2 rapids.
In Krugersdorp, Gauteng, experience an adrenalin rush like never before with Four Wheels of Fun. Abseil down a 50m Bridge. This is called a Helicopter abseil, because there is no rock face. Here our qualified instructors will explain the gear and technique to you, make sure of your safety and over you go for the experience of a lifetime.
So if you’re keen to get your adrenaline pumping, to experience views that few others will see and push the limits of excitement, then abseiling in South Africa is not to be missed.
Wild 5 Abseiling in the Oribi Gorge of KwaZulu Natal
Wild Abseiling is definitely for the more adventurous. It is presently the highest natural commercial abseil in the world at 110 meters. The first 45m is a cliff abseil where one traditionally abseils with their feet against the cliff while the remaining 65m is a free abseil allowing one to take in the beauty of the gorge from a different angle.
Beginners are welcome to abseil and will be given full instruction on the techniques and only when they have satisfied certain requirements will they be lowered over the edge of the 170m waterfall. Qualified trainers are on hand to show one the ropes, so to speak.
To find out more about the above abseils, and a whole lot of others around the country, check out our list of abseil operators - most of whom offer plenty of adventure activities besides.
Abseiling and Rock Climbing Operators:
Abseil Africa offers the abseil off Table Mountain, a Kamikaze Kanyon abseiling, kloofing and hiking trip down the Steenbras River Gorge with a 65m abseil through Thunder Falls, and custom-made adventures. Based in Cape Town.
Active Africa Adventure Tours is a Western Cape-based adventure tours covering the full adrenaline spectrum.
Downhill Adventures, based in Cape Town, offers "The Cape Great Eight Adventure Experience". Take your pick from shark cage diving, sandboarding, mountain biking, surfing, tandem skydiving, sea kayaking, quad biking - and abseiling.
GoVertical Mountaineering Adventures - an all South African adventure company with a passion for enjoying nature and its thrills. We offer abseiling, climbing, mountaineering, caving, trekking & kloofing adventures.
Extreme 3 Adventures will take you on the "ultimate extreme sport adventure tour" of South Africa, with activities such as scuba diving, kite surfing, white water rafting, mountain biking, sky diving, power kiting and abseiling.
Oribi Gorge Resort near Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal offers the 110m Wild Abseil -- the first part a 45m cliff abseil - feet against the cliff - with the remaining 65m a free abseil.
Otters Den, a river lodge on an island in the Blyde River Canyon near the Kruger Park, offers whitewater rafting, hot air ballooning, kayaking and abseiling.
Over the Top Adventures offer an interesting abseil over the Howick Falls in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.
Pure Rush Industries is an urban adventure company offering rapp jumping off buildings in Johannesburg.
Roc 'n Rope Adventures are based at the "Restaurant at the End of the Universe crags" in Mpumalanga. This is a popular sport climbing spot that also offers some fun abseils.
S.E.A.L Adventures operates the three abseils off the Knysna Heads. Also check out the Knysna Tourist Centre.
Stormsriver Adventures operate a wonderful, somewhat strenuous trip called the Stormsriver Challenge: abseiling, tubing and mountain biking. |
