Adventures at the Oribi Gorge

Are you looking for an adventure near your Wild Coast accommodation? The craggy and forested Oribi Gorge is where you should go to find it.

Carved by the Umzimkhulu River, the Oribi Gorge canyon is one of the most breathtaking natural tourist attractions near the Wild Coast Sun, and offers an adrenalin rush second to none. Think bungee jumping, white water rafting or zip lining; we've lined up a few Oribi Gorge thrills for you (and some family-friendly options, too):

The Wild Swing

Picture yourself standing at the top of the Lehr's waterfall, a river snaking 165m below you and views all around. Now, jump!

This blood-pumping experience is the equivalent of launching yourself off a 55-storey building. It's the world's highest swing, meaning you'll reach a speed of 120km per hour on your fall. Take heart though, you're strapped into a full body harness, which, besides meeting all the necessary safety requirements, is a surprisingly comfy alternative to the usual ankle-tied bungee contraption. 

Fun fact: At the base of gorge the basement rocks are part of the Kaapvaal Craton, which are over 1000 million years old. The cliffs themselves are formed from sandstone deposited some 365 million years ago.

Abseiling

If dangling from a rope while you descend a cliff is your kind of thrill, you're in for a treat at Oribi Gorge. Not only does abseiling down this canyon afford you the promised adrenalin rush, but you get to absorb some of the best natural views on the South Coast too. Don't worry if you're a beginner. Qualified trainers are on hand to guide you down the cliff at the Lehr's waterfall one step at a time.

Fun fact: The river erosion, which formed the gorge, has carved out nearly 30km of spectacular kloofs and crags.

Birding

If you're looking for family activities in Port Edward that don't fall on the thrill spectrum at all, take a slow trek through the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve and do some bird watching. This is one of the hottest birding spots in Kwa-Zulu Natal, where you can see a wide range of species including the African Wood-Owl, Black Cuckoo Shrike, African Pygmy-Kingfisher, Olive Woodpecker, African Finfoot, Cape Vulture, and Forest Buzzard, to name a few. Take your binoculars and a picnic basket. There are numerous idyllic picnic spots on the bank of the river that make for a great day out with the family, but please note that swimming in the river is not permitted.

Fun fact: The reserve is home to bushbuck, common reedbuck, oribi, blue and grey duiker and the rarely-seen leopard.

Horse riding

Soak up the mountain views from horseback. Guided tours along the Oribi Gorge last between 1 and 2 hours, and are suitable for both beginners and expert riders. If you've never ridden a horse before, you can start your lessons here. The kids will love the pony rides.

Fun fact: Oribi Gorge derives its name from the oribi, a small antelope that lives in the gorges.

Zip liningacross the gorge

Want a bird's eye view of the Lehr's waterfall? Zip lining, while exhilarating, is not as intense an experience as the Wild Swing. You get the gist of the experience, but in a more relaxed way. Also, zip lining will give you time to really appreciate the views around you, and a chance to spot the Baboon's Castle.

Fun fact: The dense forests on the sandstone slopes are home to various small mammals, while large leguaans excavate their burrows along the riverbanks.