Set in the magnificent Magaliesberg Mountains overlooking the glistening water of the stream below and surrounding plant life, the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is an eco-adventure experience for any lover of the outdoors!
Recently (Sunday 7 March 2010) I was surprised with this very incredible experience as a birthday present from my family! What a wonderful gift! And what a wonderful way to ring in my 28th year of existence! I’ve wanted to do a canopy tour for some time now, but as usual life seems to get in the way. It’s been one of the many things on my “to do list”, sitting right at the top, just begging to be experienced, and soon!
With so much going on in my life at the moment, this experience seems to have become a “one day” event that I keep meaning to get to… there’s always another day! Much to my delight though, the family ensured that I was
up and about at 06h00 (yes on a Sunday and on my birthday!) and dressed in the appropriate gear for the day. Breakfast was had on the go as we drove through
Hartbeespoort to the Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa, a mere 1 ½ hours drive outside of
Johannesburg, where Magaliesberg Canopy Tours operates from. The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is the 3rd to be constructed
Canopy Tours SA® banner. At present there are
at least 6 canopy tours in Southern Africa with more in the pipeline to be constructed from this year onwards.
Greeted by friendly and upbeat staff upon arrival, my brother (the only brave soul to accompany me) and I were seated with our group for the morning and introduced to our guide, Raymond and safety operator. This is where the experience really began!
Our trained guides prepared us for our eco-adventure (with a dash of humour), briefing us on general procedure and safety precautions. They also took our lunch orders (to be enjoyed after the tour) and then got us all geared up for the “thrill of a lifetime!” Of course I just had to sign up for purchasing a custom made DVD and photo slideshow of our experience after the tour. It was my birthday after all! And I wanted to remember it all! We then hopped into the back of our awaiting transport vehicle and off we went!
Our guides ensured that we were all well informed about the surrounding ecology, sharing interesting facts about the indigenous plants and general geology of the area. At least 2 400 million years old, the Magaliesberg Mountains are the second oldest in the world. As we neared our destination, these ancient mountains, on this gloriously sunny day, welcomed us with wide-open arms inviting us into this rich and wondrous landscape. And what a wonderful welcome!
Upon arriving at our first platform, 2 km up the mountain, we were introduced to the very reason why this canopy tour is an absolute must to experience: a bird’s eye view of these magnificent mountains and all of its indigenous wonders! Now the eco-adventure experience truly began as we prepared ourselves for an incredible exploration opportunity without disturbing or damaging the natural and very sensitive eco system around us.
The tour consists of a total of eleven platforms built against the cliff / rock faces of the kloof. Ten long steel cables, up to 140m in length, adjoin these platforms providing just as many opportunities to fly through the air and squeal to your hearts delight! Anyone familiar with the “foefie” slide will already know what fun they’re in for! Much the same basic experience, this canopy tour offers you the opportunity to zigzag down the kloof, stopping at each platform to admire and marvel at the wonderful views and surrounds.
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All in all the experience was about 2 ½ / 3 hours long and it couldn’t have been more safe! There wasn’t a single moment during the entire experience when I didn’t feel 100% relaxed to enjoy this awesome adventure! Even at sometimes 30m above the tranquillity of the stream below, I was free as a bird and more at peace than ever. Of course it does help to know that the canopy system was designed and constructed by a civil engineer and that you’re always attached to the cables at 3 points!
A canopy tour is the kind of experience to be had over and over again! It’s a fantastic way to enjoy the hidden corners of our glorious country, taking in its wondrous shapes and curves from a variety of different vantage points…. All whilst having a bit of fun too! What a wonderful treat to be able to observe these ancient mountains and experience a little piece of treasure at Ysterhout Kloof in this way!
I know I certainly can’t wait to experience it again and again! It’s gotten me thinking too, that since this is the second year running that I have done something somewhat adventurous for my birthday (last year I went
Hot Air Ballooning over the Cradle of Humankind), perhaps I’ll make a habit of it and go
sky diving for my 29th!
Magaliesberg Canopy Tours Contact Details & Info
- Website: http://www.magaliescanopytour.co.za/
- Tel: +27 (0)14 535 0150
- Fax: +27 (0)14 535 0152 / 086 516 5061
- Email: info@magaliescanopytour.co.za
- Cost: R450.00 per person (subject to change) Groups of 10 or more can arrang a discounted rate
- Includes: All equipment, transportation to and from the site, the canopy tour experience, light refreshments during the tour, lunch at the Hadedad Restaurant and Bar at the hotel, freshen up facilities and access to the hotel swimming pool. You’ll also receive a certificate at the end!
- Who can go? Anyone between the ages of 7 and 70 can enjoy this experience. Pregnant ladies may not, however, participate in the Canopy Tour.
