Oribi Gorge
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
The Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve is a wonderful scenic attraction in South Africa. It offers enormous hiking activities to every tourist. It boasts of its picnic sites, spectacular hiking trails, forests, and cliffs. It has wildlife that consists of numerous antelope, in which the name of the place Gorge was named. The Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve includes ravine, rapids, rivers, and forests. Its 24km long gorge carved out by the Umzimkulwana River dominates the high sandstone cliffs. Apart from various small antelope, the natural reserve is inhabited by a prolific birdlife, troops of baboons, leopards, seven species of eagle, and five species of kingfisher. There are also numerous trails for adventurous tourists.
According to belief, the sandstone cliffs of Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve are already more than 365 million years old. Apart from these cliffs, this nature reserve comes with standard white water rafting, mountain biking, abseiling, and gorge swings as a popular adventure destination. Because of these standards, Oribi Gorge is a haven for nature-lovers and adventurers alike. There are few sites in the world that can match the rush of abseiling offered by Oribi Gorge. The 110 meters high of the natural reserve is hailed as one of the highest natural viable abseils in the world.
Adventurous actions do not stop from all abovementioned activities. The Wild Abseil in Oribi Gorge is a part of the Wild 5 adventure activity roster that includes the Wild Slide and the Wild Swing. The Wild Swing is regarded as one of the most renowned big swings in South Africa and is the highest worldwide. It gives every adventurer or tourist the swinging over 100 meters to the gorge below and heart-stopping leap off the top of the waterfall. The Wild Slide involves 160 meters of sliding area above the valley across the front of the falls and along a 120-meter steel cable. It is slightly less hair-raising that provides perfect opportunity to the awesome inspiring beauty of Oribi Gorge.
There are professional instructors available at the Oribi Gorge who assists in all activities in the area as well as on the safety standards that include full body harnesses and safety equipment. For more challenging hikes, Oribi Gorge is featured with beautiful ranges and hiking sites, and a guided overnight trail. The white water rafting conditions of the gorge provide inflatable rafts that are used during lowering of water levels.
A whole day at the Oribi Gorge is definitely worth the trip. Since the place is filled with beautiful sceneries and views, there are plenty of photo opportunities. The hiking activities at the orge come in three options, the hike to a view, the long hike to a water fall, and a short hike to a waterfall. Each of these options will take tourists about 3-5 hours depending on the amount time they prefer to spend in enjoying the sceneries as long as they are in good shape and health. The hiking terrains are moderately rugged and mostly flat except for the one stream crossing. The waterfall in the gorge is what makes the hiking worthwhile for every tourist.