EXTREME ESCAPES

#HelloDurban

by Alyson le Grange Images: Supplied

The majestic beauty of the South Coast harks back to a bygone era where life was simpler, slower and more relaxed. For a holiday destination, the South Coast is unparalleled in so many ways, with captivating, wild and natural beauty to explore through an array of activities on offer. Here you can get your blood pumping like nowhere else on earth. Merely a 40-minute drive inland, there’s a whole new world of excitement and possibilities on display.

GO AND EXPLORE Oribi Gorge is a natural South African marvel. The tranquil wonderland’s mountains stretch as far as the eye can see - all the way to the mountains of Kokstad in the distance – with passes displaying new gorges and valleys around every corner. We recently embarked on a mountain hike – the brand-new Weza Hiking Trail – in the iKwezi area near Harding, with our destination being the Mkhoba waterfall. Walking through the untouched natural landscape and reaching this crystal-clear waterfall was pure bliss. We even got to swim under the cascading water – a great refresher for the hike back.

C’MON. JUMP! Our next stop was Oribi Gorge – the ideal destination for adrenaline junkies - complete with the thrill of The Wild Swing - where we jumped off the edge of a 165m-high cliff! YOU’VE NOT BEEN IF IT’S NOT ON INSTA After our fill of excitement, we made our way to Leopards Rock for a quick photo opportunity. The amazing natural rock formation juts straight out into the sky, where it gives the illusion of you sitting right on the edge of a floating rock high above the meandering river and valleys below.

WHERE TO STAY Lake Eland Game Reserve is simply magical. We stayed in a charming wooden lake cabin from where we watched the fading sun glisten on the rippling water and then disappear behind the mountain. Sundowners in hand, we listened to an orchestra of birdsong, the soft whistling of the reeds and percussion of the African bush. A welcome retreat after a day filled with excitement.

The self-catering accommodation - complete with braai facilities - is perfect for families We can confidently say, if you are a thrill and offers a secure seeker, this one is for you. The rush of the escape where you are 2.3-second adrenaline-pumping freefall surrounded by nature, and then swinging in a giant gorge amidst with the luxury of a the magnificent cliff and a tumbling beautifully maintained waterfall will leave you dumbstruck. property.

It's one of those courageous moments that make you feel invincible. Plus, it obviously comes with bragging rights. You’re also in good hands at all times, with friendly and professional guides who ensure that your safety comes first. BRIDGE THE GAP A delicious Ranger breakfast kicked off our second, action-packed day at Lake Eland’s suspension bridge. The drive to the bridge took us through the Game Reserve where we were treated to an up-close encounter with a journey of giraffes. We also saw herds of buck and wildebeest, as well as some zebras.

The short walk across the suspension bridge - which hangs over a 130m gorge - was an incredible experience on its own. We then made our way to the Lake Eland Zipline - a 4.5km stretch of pure euphoria and an extraordinary way to tour the Oribi Gorge. The zipline is an engineering masterpiece with a course of fourteen zipline stations set high amidst the mountains. It allows you to slide down from station to station, while enjoying the scenery in a truly unique way. Two guides accompanied us during the whole experience, giving us a clear rundown of what to do and how to do it.

TROTTING ALONG Our journey drew to a close on horseback, observing the beautiful landscape’s lush and diverse ecosystems during an exciting out ride. It’s a wonderful activity for both day visitors or holiday makers and the perfect ending to an unforgettable South Coast adventure. H Q @infosouthcoast