I’m a total sucker for adventure, so my bucket list grows daily with exciting things to do. One of the activities on my bucket list is a Canopy Tour®. I’ve done plenty of foofi-slides, but I have yet to glide through the treetops like Tarzan in princess mode. While it may not be as hair-raising as my experiences of a 30m bridge swing or 11,000ft skydive, I absolutely love being in forests and can’t wait to discover some of South Africa’s most spectacular scenery from a whole new perspective.

I was incredibly pleased to hear that construction of the new Cape Canopy Tour® is currently underway near my home town. Yippeee! A first for South Africa, the Cape Canopy Tour® in partnership with Cape Nature Conservation is situated in a pristine World Heritage Site within the Hottentots Holland Nature Reserve, Grabouw. The tour is launching in December 2013 and will consist of at least 12 platforms constructed on the cliffs and fynbos covered mountain slopes above the Riviersonderend gorge and joined by thrilling slides up to 280m long. Clients will also get to experience the ‘Protea’ – a unique bridge crossing between a narrow sandstone gorge high above a spectacular double waterfall below.  I CAN’T WAIT!

Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours (copyright free)

Canopy Tours® are one of South Africa’s fastest growing eco-adventures where you slide through the treetops from one platform to another along a series of steel cables. Because they are not a high adrenaline activity and not very physically demanding (you literally only need to be capable of walking along uneven ground), they are ideal for family adventures, thrill seekers, nature lovers, group excursions, and corporate team buildings. Although the brochures advise that anyone between the ages of 7 and 70 are welcome, the youngest client is recorded at only 4 years old while the oldest is 85. My gung-ho little boy will be 4 in December, so maybe I can schedule a family outing for Christmas…

While all ages are welcome, you do need to know that all sizes are not. If you weigh over 120kg, it’s advisable that you rather enjoy a scenic stroll through the forest. If you’re one of the many participants who worry that your fear of heights will leave your feet super-glued to the first platform, you can opt for a tandem tour where you will be safely attached to a guide who controls your speed and safety at all times.

Safety is paramount and the Canopy Tours® team has very strict procedures to guarantee that you are connected to either the cable or platform at all times. The tour begins with a safety briefing and demonstration before you are kitted out with a full body harness, pulley, climbing equipment, and safety helmet. Groups are then escorted by professional guides who ensure your safety while pointing out interesting facts along the tour. Each tour lasts 2 and a half hours and ends with a well-earned meal and refreshments. Don’t forget to bring your camera (and keep it secure while you dangle above the ground) to record your unforgettable experience! Submit your favourite pics through to the “Photo of the Month” competition and you could stand the chance of winning another Canopy Tour® experience. (I’ll happily volunteer to take anyone’s place!)

Magalies canopy tour 3 (copyright free)

Details

Cost: R450, includes a meal, refreshments, guides, transport, and equipment.

Groups: A maximum of 8 are allowed per group. Larger parties are split into smaller groups that follow one another. Bookings of up to 150 people per day for team building events are available on request.

Operating hours: 7am – 4pm in summer; 8am – 3pm in winter. Tours depart every 45 minutes and are conducted in most weather conditions.

Canopy Tours® are currently located in:

  • Tsitsikamma at Storms River on the Garden Route, 45 minutes from Plettenberg Bay and 90 minutes from Port Elizabeth. Tel: +27 42 281 1836. Email: adventure@gardenroute.co.za
  • Karkloof in the Natal Midlands, 10 minutes from Howick and 90 minutes from Durban. Tel: +27 33 330 3415. Email: info@karkloofcanopytour.co.za
  • Magaliesberg in Gauteng/North West, 80 minutes from Johannesburg and 30 minutes from Rustenburg. Tel: +27 14 535 0150. Email: info@magaliescanopytour.co.za.
  • Drakensberg opposite the Drakensberg Sun in the Central Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal. Tel: +27 83 661 5691. Email: info@drakensbergcanopytour.co.za
  • Magoebaskloof between Haenertsburg and Tzaneen in Limpopo province, 30 minutes from Polokwane and 3 hours from Pretoria. Tel: +27 83 866 1546. Email: adventures@thabametsi.com
  • Malolotja (Swaziland) on the Piggs Peak road, 45 minutes from Mbabane and 30 minutes from the Oshoek/Ngwenya border post. Tel: +268 7697 5704. Email: info@malolotjacanopytour.com

If you’ve been on a canopy tour, please share your experience with us!