Oribi Gorge Adventures - Things to do this weekend.
Catching a glimpse of the small oribi antelope in Oribi Gorge may be a rarity, but there is certainly an abundance of adventure, high-flying action, and fun! Cutting a swathe through KwaZulu-Natal’s famous sugar cane region, this breathtaking canyon located 1½ hours drive south of Durban is a popular day, weekend, or extended rendezvous for thrill-seekers, hikers, nature lovers, horse riders, photographers, and birding enthusiasts.
Stunning panoramic vistas are more than reward those who make the short 35km drive west of Port Shepstone. Take in sweeping views of lush, subtropical foliage and the towering rocky bluffs that overlook Mzimkulwana River – an ideal setting for exploration and adventure and an inspiring team-building location.
The 400m deep and 5km wide Oribi Gorge offers something for everyone! Visitors wishing to take it easy can look forward to scenic self-guided walking trails, lake fishing, idyllic riverside picnic spots, and scenic viewpoints with intriguing names such as Baboon’s Castle and Lover’s Leap. Avid birders can tick off a host of specials including the African finfoot, the Narina trogon, and the spotted ground-thrush. Also keep an eye out for Samango and vervet monkeys, blue and grey duiker, bushbuck, reedbuck, and the occasional leopard.
Step it up a notch and explore the gorge’s excellent mountain bike trails, go on a horse riding safari or take a leisurely stroll across the bridge….that is, an 80m stroll across the 130m high suspension bridge that spans the gorge!
Bridge walking may not be quite enough to satisfy the hardened adrenaline junky, so head to the bottom of the gorge to try your hand at white water rafting on the grade 2-4 rapids. The top of Lehr’s waterfall is the place to be for an exhilarating dose of abseiling, the world’s highest gorge swing, and the 4.5km zip line tour will have you soaring over the treetops - and even through a tunnel! The insanely adventurous can make a beeline for ZipXtreme. The first section of this zip line is 1km long and straight downhill, reaching white-knuckle speeds of up to 160kph!