Oribi Gorge is one of the many hidden gems in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and is located a mere 30 min’s inland of some of the most beautiful beaches on the KZN South Coast. This is a must-see on your next trip to South Africa, and can easily fit into lengthy or shorter schedules.
Rent a car from the nearby Margate Airport (national flights only) or if you came in via King Shaka International Airport, it’s about a 2:30h drive down the very well maintained scenic highway. Although you will be driving on some un-tarred roads at the destination, the roads are generally very well maintained and even the most basic rental vehicle should be sufficient. First up, Wild 5 Adventures.
Wild 5 Adventures – Oribi Gorge
As the image suggests, it’s going to be filled with adrenaline! On your way in, you will be greeted by one of the local ostriches. This venue hosts the world’s highest gorge swing at 55-storeys, getting you up to 120km/h in 2.5 seconds, faster than a Bugatti! Apart from the main attraction, the venue also offers abseiling, quad bike rides, a wild slide and paintball with some incredible backdrops. Entrance is a mere $1.50 per person, with the swing priced at roughly $40. https://www.wild5adventures.co.za/
Your host
The gorge swing
Leopard’s Rock – Oribi Gorge
If you were brave enough to attempt this swing and your underwear survived, you might feel like some lunch. Next stop is a restaurant situated on a cliff overlooking the Umzimkhulu river that leads through the cliffs of Oribi Gorge. This venue also offers accommodation from roughly $120/night for those looking to wake up with a view. Food is pretty plain-vanilla, but with this view from the outside deck, you simply won’t care. Wake up early mornings in the winter months and the river is covered with a blanket of mist. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the experience, it’s so majestic, it will make you believe in a higher power. https://www.leopardrockc.co.za/
Umzimkhulu River
Lake Eland – Oribi Gorge
While our first two stops are doable on day 1, you’ll want to head through to your final destination of this trip to a game reserve called Lake Eland. About 10km down the road, you’ll find this massive 2,500 hectare (6,200 acre) estate that is home to some of South Africa’s most beautiful wildlife, so tame that you can almost touch them from your car window. Now, before you get excited (or scared), we’re not talking lions or cheetah’s or anything dangerous like that, but driving through the grounds you will come across red buck, wildebeest, eland, zebra and even the odd giraffe.
Lake Eland has a host of accommodation options, but with multiple lakes scattered throughout the venue and accommodation options on all of them, my two favorite options are the log cabins near the top, or the camping sites at the very bottom right on the big lake.
The log cabins are fairly basic but charming in their own way. They each feature an indoor fireplace, a kitchen and can sleep anything from 2-6 people, depending on your preference. From your own private deck you can do some light fishing while enjoying your morning coffee, often times with wildlife grazing on the opposite banks of the lake.
Log cabins
Feeling more adventurous? Rent a camping spot by the lake and get in touch with nature on another level. Camping sites are all equipped with a concrete slab, a roof and a braai (bbq), with campers sharing bathroom and shower facilities nearby. You will however require your own camping and sleeping gear.
Depending on the time of year and time of week, camping spots can be had for as little as $16/night for two people, with an additional $5 per person, while the log cabins rent out from as little as $55/night.
Camping sites
After a good night’s rest, you can go for a self-game drive and head over to this venue’s most popular attraction, its 4.5km multi-stop zip line that starts at the very top of the gorge, going through multiple points, all the way down to the big lake. Experience incredible views with this thrilling ride which, at some stages, reaches 160km/h! Cost: $25pp.
If this is too much for you, Lake Eland offers multiple other activities such as a downhill scooter tour, mountain biking, horse riding, paintball, guided game drives, a suspension bridge, hidden caves, an unlimited number of incredible view sites and lastly, a spa, for ultimate relaxation. Pack a picnic basket or treat yourself at the local restaurant, the choice is yours! One thing is certain, you will want to spend a minimum of 2 days in and around Oribi Gorge, but 5-7 days might just be what is required to completely feed your soul. http://lakeeland.co.za
12 Things to see, do and experience in beautiful Oribi Gorge:
- The Gorge Swing – Wild 5 Adventures
- Abseiling
- Wild Slide
- Quad bike rides
- Lunch – Leopard Rock
- Game drive – Lake Eland
- Zip Line
- Scooter Tours
- Horse riding
- Paintball
- Multiple view sites
- A stay in a cabin or in a tent by the lake
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