With the amount of mountains and cliffs in Mpumalanga, it is only natural that we would find a few places to climb up - and throw yourself off (safely, of course). And with the escarpment dropping away to the Lowveld so spectacularly and dramatically,
Waterval Boven is arguably one of Mpumalanga's best-kept adventure secrets, and has been acknowledged as on e of the top 10 climbing destinations globally. This spectacular and dramatic plunge to the Lowveld has created a veritable treasure trove of climbing routes - these crags have aptly been renamed 'The Restaurant (at the End of the Universe)', offering hundreds of marked routes with difficulty ratings of 17 - 27 (French 5b - 7b+ or US 5.8 - 5.12c), with options to climb up to grade 33 (8b+/5.14a). And all of this within a few square kilometres. And it is not just about technical and sport climbing - Roc 'n Rope offer training courses, beginners courses, and just good fun in the form of abseiling and other adventure activities.
Another hotspot for adrenaline junkies is the Graskop region, which offers the renowned Big Swing - the highest gorge swing in the world - accelerate from 0-180km/h in a few seconds. You can even do it as a tandem, and for the fainter at heart, try the Zipline which will have you flying 130m above the ground for 135m, and seeing the spectacular Graskop Falls from a different vantage point - if you open your eyes! After that, the abseil will seem sedate. And if you are just down the road in Sabie, you can take a stroll onto the Sabie River bridge - and then jump off (with a rope attached to you, of course) for a 30m bridge swing.
Just outside Hazyview you will find Africa's longest aerial cableway (canopy tour), the Skyway Trail. The trail covers a total of 1,2km, as you glide down into the Sabie River basin, offering a unique perspective of the indigenous forest and vegetation, as well as unbelievable birdlife. It is 3 hours well spent.
There are also a number of adventure operators in Mpumalanga who also offer abseiling as a one-off, or as part of a teambuilding programme. So if adrenaline is your thing, Mpumalanga has got it in buckets!
Abseiling alongside the Elands River Falls - Waterval Boven
Experience the high wire thrill at Big Swing outside Graskop
SkywayTrails near Hazyview
Waterval Boven is rated as a top global climbing destination
