Buffalo Gorge - Abseil Trips near Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
By Buffalo Gorge is ons erg oor Afrikaans, so stuur gerus enige navrae in Afrikaans of Engels.
Buffelskloof 20m abseil
The 20m site is situated in a kloof close to the main camp. You travel approximately 500m along a stream, under the trees. The path is marked with yellow dots. At the top you will have the most beautiful views of the main camp below. There are no artificial anchors. There are wild seringas and rocks a little further back that can be used for anchors, but do not use the “Lekkerbreek” trees as anchors – they break very easily. At first one must make sure of your footwork until you reach a small ledge – then the adrenaline flows! You will then descent a 5m vertical rock face, followed by a free-hanging abseil over the overhang for the last 5m! (Route marked with white dots back to the camp or back to the top).
Climb Billy the Kid
*Easy 20m
* Only top-rope anchors at top
The route is ideal for families, school groups and beginners. It is not situated at the same place as the other climbs, but at Buffelskloof Berg - the 20m abseil crag. It is about a 500m walk from the campsite.
* We can organise qualified climbing guides
‘Voet van die Waterberg’
* 50m Abseil
Ryk se klip - This abseil starts with an easy 10 metre descend to a ledge and then the descend continues with spectacular exposure.
Avontuur Vallei - This abseil starts with a vertical decend for about 15 metres. Suddendly the rock will disappear from under you feet and then starts the exhilirating fantastically exposed free hanging descend to the bottom.
This is one of the most beautiful sites in SA and is rated one of the top ten in the country. The abseil sites are 4km north east from camp. If you drive slow and careful, you can reach the site with a normal car, but we recommend high clearance vehicles. This site overlooks the most beautiful Avontuur Valley. The view alone makes the trip worth the effort!
We had two anchor sites professionally identified to ensure safety and convenience. “Die Klip” is situated down and to your left, it is an adrenaline rush (when doing abseiling) or nature and adventure photography. From the top, the drop looks about 100m as the valley stretches widely beneath you. The first part of the abseil is easy – you drop 7 m to the ledge where you can have a rest and again admire the view. From the ledge you take a 30-35m drop to an overhang, then a freefall of 15– 20m - this is an opportunity for a 360-degree panoramic view.
The walk back is interesting but do be careful of mountain mettles. Follow a 300m path along the fast of the diff (marked with yellow dots) where a chain enables you to climb to the top. On the way back there is a rock that offers great photographs of the abseil and the valley.
For abseiling you are welcome to bring your own equipment – however a facilitator and equipment is available on request.