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SOUTH AFRICA | KWAZULU-NATAL | SOUTH COAST
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Tour 1
Port Shepstone | Oribi Gorge | Paddock | Harding | Weza/Ingeli

Oribi Gorge is a wonder of the natural world with ancient boulders at the base of cliffs formed from sandstone deposited some 365 million years ago.

Approximately 12 kms from Port Shepstone the Umzimkulwana River has etched a spectacular gorge into the mountains to create a rugged, natural landscape of breathtaking beauty. The gorge, some 27 kms long and one km at its widest point, is the site of the Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve, a pristine slice of natural bush managed by the Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, teeming with wildlife, huge indigenous trees and meandering hiking and mountain bike trails. And slightly further along you will find Lake Eland - the South Coast’s only Game Reserve.

The edge of the gorge has been turned into an extreme adventure hotspot, with the world’s highest gorge swing which requires you to leap off the cliff, an abseil alongside a waterfall, and a slide 160 metres above the gorge floor. It is pretty intimidating stuff, but at least you know you are held by safety equipment of the highest international standards. White Water rafting through the gorge with challenging grade three rapids to negotiate is offered in the rainy season when the river is full.

T3 interactive map

Printable Map (PDF)

Where to Stay

NO
ESTABLISHMENT NAME CODE GRADING
TOWN
303
Lake Eland Game Reserve BB; SC; LC; C; CV; W -
Oribi Gorge
319
Leopard Rock Coffee Shop SC -
Oribi Gorge
301
Oribi Gorge Hotel H TGCSA 3
Oribi Gorge
305
Oribi Gorge Guest Farm SC -
Oribi Gorge

Where to Eat

NO
ESTABLISHMENT CODE
TOWN
303
Lake Eland Game Reserve R; B; L; PG; TG; F
Oribi Gorge
319
Leopard Rock R; CS;  L; B; F; P
Oribi Gorge
301
Oribi Gorge Hotel R; B; P; L; PG; TG; D; F
Oribi Gorge

What to Do?

NO
ESTABLISHMENT
TYPE
303 Lake Eland Game Reserve GAME DRIVE & VIEWING 4 X 4 TRAILS (SELF DRIVE) BIRDWATCHING
303 Lake Eland Game Reserve CHILDRENS PLAY AREA FRESH WATER FISHING HIKING AND WALKING TRAILS
303 Lake Eland Game Reserve HORSE RIDING MOUNTAIN BIKING NATURE RESERVE AND PICNIC AREA
303 Lake Eland Game Reserve SUSPENSION BRIDGE VIEW SITES TEAM BUILDING
319 Leopard Rock Coffee Shop BIRDWATCHING VIEW SITES
301 Oribi Gorge Hotel BIRDWATCHING CHILDRENS PLAY AREA TEAM BUILDING
301 Oribi Gorge Hotel VIEW SITES HORSE RIDING
305 Oribi Guest Farm 4 X 4 TRAILS (SELF DRIVE)
306 Thembela Tours CULTURAL TOURS TOURS & TOUR OPERATOR
302 Wild 5 ABSEILING & CLIMBING BIRDWATCHING GO KARTING & QUAD RIDES
302 Wild 5 GORGE SWING HIKING AND WALKING TRAILS HORSE RIDING
302 Wild 5 WHITE WATER RAFTING TEAM BUILDING VIEW SITES

Where to Shop

NO
ESTABLISHMENT
TYPE
303
Lake Eland Game Reserve
ACCESSORIES, JEWELLERY & CLOTHING
ARTS, CRAFTS & CURIO'S 
319
Leopard Rock Coffee Shop
ACCESSORIES, JEWELLERY & CLOTHING
ARTS, CRAFTS & CURIO'S 
301
Oribi Gorge Hotel
ACCESSORIES, JEWELLERY & CLOTHING
ARTS, CRAFTS & CURIO'S 
307
Waterfall Valley Estate: Angora Creations
ACCESSORIES, JEWELLERY & CLOTHING
ARTISTS AND CRAFTERS STUDIOS
307
Waterfall Valley Estate: Conrad's Orchids
ORCHIDS
Lake Eland Zulu Culture Wild 5
A Giraffe seen at Lake Eland - the South Coast’s only Game Reserve. Head inland and you are in traditional Zulu territory... and with it, the chance to witness at first hand all the song and dance of a living culture. Wild 5, next to the Oribi Gorge Hotel, has become a world famous adventure hot spot!

Tourism South Coast

South Coast Tourism

Tourism South Coast and the Southern Explorer are actively and continuously working to improve the quality of Tourism Product and the Tourist Experience on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Please contact either of these associations with any feedback - positive or negative - we are working for you! Please help us by sharing your experiences.

The Southern Explorer: info@southernexplorer.co.za

Toursim South Coast: info@tourismsouthcoast.co.za

BLue Flag Beaches

THERE ARE 4 ACCREDITED AND 4 PILOT BLUE FLAG BEACHES ON THE SOUTH COAST.

THE BLUE FLAG IS AN EXCLUSIVE ECO-LABEL WITH STRICT CRITERIA DEALING WITH WATER QUALITY, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND INFORMATION, ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY.

Webmaster
Serena Sampson

© SOUTHERN EXPLORER ASSOCIATION 2009
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