Prepare to leave the ordinary behind and embrace an extraordinary adventure. This line became our catchphrase for the day as we explored the rugged and splendid beauty of Oribi Gorge one autumn day. The initial 120 km drive from Durban down the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal to Port Shepstone was pleasant but unremarkable.
Just as we made the turn inland and began travelling along the 35-kilometre road leading to the gorge, we were taken by surprise. From the national road, we could not imagine what we were going to find. Around every bend was unexpected beauty.
Leopard Rock Coffee Shop, Oribi Gorge
Our first stop was for breakfast. We had heard about the Leopard Rock Coffee Shop and wanted to try it for ourselves. Visitors have the option of sitting inside or on a deck overlooking the gorge. We chose to sit out on the deck, and quite frankly, I would have been happy to sit there all day. Apart from the spectacular view, we watched as birds of prey soared across the vast, clear skies, and some gorgeous hornbills flitted from the nearby trees to our table every so often, hoping for some fried chips!
The coffee was fabulous, the breakfast superb, but it was the view that kept us longer than we had planned.
After breakfast, we made our way to the view site, and as good tourists do, posed on and off the yellow photo frame, as well as on the overhanging rock.
Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve
There are two main places to visit: The first is Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, which is managed by Ezemvelo Wildlife. Declared a reserve in 1950, it covers a massive 1 917 hectares. There are many fun-filled activities to engage in.
There are awesome self-guided trails to suit everyone’s fitness levels. Enjoy a picnic on the rocks alongside the river.
For the more adventurous at heart, why not try the Wild 5 Adventures Company? They offer five adrenaline-fuelled experiences against the backdrop of the stunning gorge.
Experience the Wild Swing, an unparalleled adventure that propels you 165 metres (equivalent to 55 stories) from the top of Lehr’s Waterfall, plunging into the heart of the gorge. For those seeking a slightly less intense yet still thrilling experience, the Wild Slide is a must-try. Soar across the gorge on a 120-metre zip line, suspended 165 metres above the gorge’s floor. Strapped in a full-body harness, you can enjoy the ride in comfort, knowing you are safe.
If you’re up for an incredible challenge, embark on the abseiling adventure. Descend 110 metres, making it one of the world’s highest commercial abseils. The first 45 metres guide you down the side of the cliff adjacent to Lehr’s Waterfall, while the remaining 65 metres offer a thrilling free abseil until you touch down on the gorge floor.
Water enthusiasts will love the White Water Rafting experience, conquering the grade 2 to 4 rapids of the stunning Umzimkulu River. Don’t miss the 84-metre-long suspension bridge that stretches across the cliffs, dangling 100 metres above the gorge floor. Embark on the walk and revel in the bird’s-eye views of Lehr’s Waterfall, Baboon’s Castle, and the iconic World’s Highest Gorge Swing. The panoramic vistas alone are worth the fear!
Lake Eland Reserve
We chose to drive on to the second place to visit, Lake Eland Reserve. The Reserve is perfect for day visitors, campers and those wishing to stay in chalets.
We were keen to conquer our fears and traverse the suspension bridge. The suspension bridge is 80 m in length and 110 m above Oribi Gorge. Walking across is definitely not for the faint-hearted! Alison and Tim marched forth bravely, while Gary and Hannah cheered them on.
With the suspension bridge challenge out of the way, we were left with other more relaxing activities. Next, we climbed down the 383 steps of Hell’s Gate (more like Heaven’s Gate in our opinion) – the actual start of Oribi Gorge. We had great fun in the caves alongside the stairs, listening to the terrified screams of the zip-liners overhead, and enjoyed reading about San culture and history in the display in the main cave. Of course, if we walked down 383 stairs, we had to walk back up 383 stairs!
Then it was back in the car to find the perfect spot to enjoy our picnic lunch. As we drove towards Lake Eland, we passed giraffe, eland, warthogs and zebra, all looking pretty satisfied with life.
We had the picnic sites on the small island in the centre of the lake to ourselves. It was a fresh afternoon, but the area was peaceful and pleasant. People were camping on the side of the lake, and the sites looked well-maintained and had bamboo partitions for extra privacy.
Although we didn’t go zip lining, we were impressed with the facilities. The reserve offers the longest zip line tour in Africa, spanning an impressive 4, 35 kilometres. This incredible journey takes you across Oribi Gorge and even includes sections over the lake, comprising a total of 14 thrilling slides. The exhilarating Zip X-treme Tour slides you down the side of Oribi Gorge at speeds of up to 160 km/h! This is not for children.
As the sun began to set, signalling the end of a remarkable day filled with delightful surprises, it was time to bid farewell to the wonders of Oribi Gorge. The memories created and the adventures we had will forever hold a special place in our hearts.
Prices At Lake Eland Reserve
Day Visitor’s fee: R75 per adult and R45 per child. The reserve is open from 07:00 until 17:00 daily.
Zip line standard rate: Day visitor’s fee + R490
X-Treme Tour: Day visitor’s fee + R350
Game Drive: R250 per person for 2 hours.
Scooter Tour: Day visitor’s fee + R250 for a 5km tour. The cost is R175 for children.
Accommodation: Camping and chalet accommodation prices vary, and are available on the website. There is also a restaurant at the reserve.
Some Interesting Info About Oribi Gorge
Carved by the Mzimkulwana River, Oribi Gorge is one of two remarkable canyons that traverse the flat sugarcane fields of KwaZulu-Natal. With a depth of around 400 metres and a width of nearly 5 kilometres, the gorge offers a stunning display of nature’s power.
Over millions of years, the relentless erosion by these rivers has sculpted an impressive landscape of dramatic kloofs and rugged cliffs, covered with lush subtropical vegetation. Within the gorge, dense forest blankets the sandstone slopes, providing a sanctuary for a variety of small mammals, while the riverbanks are home to large leguaans.
The ancient rocks of the gorge date back over 1 billion years. The cliffs themselves are composed of Msikaba formation sandstones, formed approximately 365 million years ago in a fluvial environment.
It’s worth noting that the road through Oribi Gorge was constructed by Italian prisoners of war.
