A must-do Knysna adventure for thrill seekers, the Knysna Ziplines is an adrenaline rush activity situated in one of the most beautiful places in South Africa.
A spectacular destination
A 35-minute drive or mere 25km from Knysna will get to the simply spectacular SANParks Kranshoek picnic site – 3km off the N2, and home to the new Knysna Ziplines.
Kranshoek is a popular viewing, hiking and picnic site because of its spectacular vista of the gorge, the forest and the ocean. And now it also boasts a world-class zipline experience.
The Knysna Ziplines is a partnership between SANParks/Garden Route National Parks and the well-established private SA Forest Adventures Company which already have ziplines in Mossel Bay, Cape Town, Hermanus and Caledon – among other adventures like river-rafting.
Clinton Lerm, managing director of SA Forest Adventures, describes it as an incredible experience with some of the slides up to 800 metres per cable, almost 300 meters from the ground. The total tour is about 3.4 kilometres and will take two hours to complete – starting with four lines snaking across the gorge, and an additional two lines running over the sea.
Connecting two local municipalities
The zipline is on the boundary of the Knysna and Plettenberg Bay municipal areas and has already become known as ‘the fastest way to go from one municipality to the other,” as the zipline traverses the gorge from the Plettenberg Bay side to the Knysna side and back.
The Kranshoek area of the Knysna section of the Garden Route National Parks (GRNP) is rich in indigenous forest, fynbos and a wide diversity of plants – including the splendid and famous South African King Protea.
This turf is also home to bushpig, baboon, buck, otter and even an elusive leopard while it offers rich birding treats – and it is also a best vantage point to see southern right whales and dolphin in season.
The flagship of ziplines
Lerm describes the Knysna Ziplines as the flagship of ziplines in Africa. “We are delighted to be partnering with SANParks and to have the use of this pristine and beautiful environment. We have taken every measure to ensure we respect nature and leave a minimal footprint. This zipline has been built using the very latest plastic cables which dramatically reduce the sound of the zipline, an important consideration when operating within the tranquil environment of a national park. An environmental impact assessment was carried out before the start of the project and has been strictly adhered to. Natural on-site materials have been used – and no expense has been spared when it comes to safety with qualified senior guides on hand.”
Some great feedback from those lucky enough to have done it:
“Some days are good, some bad and then there are extraordinary mind-blowing days. This experience is one of those days.” Elmay Viljoen Bouwer
“Blown away by the care and impact assessment to preserve the natural habitat.” Executive mayor of Knysna, Elrick van Aswegen
“Done lots of ziplines in the world, but this one! Wow! The view is unparalleled, it gets the adrenaline pumping. World-class experience!” International visitor to the area
For more information or to book your adventure, click here.