As September was Tourism Month, a month during which the country’s diverse tourism attractions are showcased, it was appropriate that the world’s longest zipline, the K3 SA Forest Adventure zipline, which is 3,2 km long, situated just outside Caledon, was officially launched on the 23rd.
The K3 zipline is situated next to the N2 in Myddleton, a few kilometres outside Caledon. The big red K3 lettering can’t be missed from the N2.
This zipline, a dream of many years for Clinton Lerm, did not pop up overnight. In fact, it took many years of meticulous planning and construction. This included finding a suitable site, sourcing and manufacturing materials, as well as training operational staff.
Clinton Lerm, owner of K3 SA Forest Adventures, is no rookie when it comes to adventure sports. “This is an extension of our list of 20 adventure activities that we host in the Western Cape,” he remarked.
He expressed the hope that it will attract more international tourists, which will highlight the significance of this attraction for both the local community as well as adventure tourism as a whole.
The whole operation is off-grid and operates on solar power. Lerm mentioned that 90% of the material used was manufactured in South Africa. The zipline is situated in the Klein Swartberg Conservancy and meticulous attention was paid to keeping the impact on the natural surroundings to a minimum through sustainable tourism development. All the guides and other staff members are locals from the Caledon area.
The launch was attended by various local government ministers, mayors, the media and invited guests. Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Local Development and Tourism, was the keynote speaker. On behalf of the Western Cape Government he congratulated K3 on being the longest zipline in the world. “Adventure tourism is going to explode in the Western Cape,” Meyer predicted, adding that tourism is a multiplier, not only in job creation, but also in terms of investment.
At the start of the adventure guests are assisted at the base camp with check-in procedures and getting their harness on before being taken to the top by tractor and trailer or by a 4×4 vehicle. By tractor this 7 km mountain trail takes about 45-60 minutes. During the ride experienced guides provide visitors with information about conservation and the surrounding fynbos.
At the top guests have a short walk to “The Nest” (departure platform) from where they will be counted down for their exhilarating glide down to the landing platform. Speeds of up to 120 km/h can be reached while gliding down. During the glide-down zipliners are rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding Overberg landscape. Should anybody not reach the landing platform, a guide will “go fishing” and safely bring them back to the landing platform.
Ricardo Mackenzie, Provincial Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, was the first guest to go down. He told Hermanus Times: “It was exciting, it was fun, it was exhilarating. Seeing the world from the top was just beautiful.”
Meyer said: “It was absolutely wonderful. It was the three A’s: attention, adrenaline and safe arrival. I am excited because adventure tourism is alive and well in the Overberg.”
Executive Mayor of ODM, Sakkie Franken, summed up his experience: “It was an unbelievable experience. I can’t wait to do it again as soon as possible.”
There is a comfortable lounge area, where guests can relax as well as a conference/meeting room with breathtaking views of the surroundings. The Zibrew coffee shop serves a variety of refreshments. Sonja Maree, owner of Zibrew, told Hermanus Times: “We serve a variety of coffees as well as teas from the Overberg region as well as muffins, cakes sandwiches, milkshakes and smoothies. We are completely ‘green’ and have one of the few gas-operated coffee machines in the country.” The coffee shop is open to guests as well as to the public. Opening hours at the moment are from 09:00 to 16:00.
When asked about how he felt about the events of the day, Lerm replied: “I feel very positive about today and I think it was a big success. We are busy with a success story for the Overberg. I would like to thank the community for their willingness and support of this project.”
Just as the last zipliners arrived at the landing platform two unexpected guests arrived. Saood Alsadiqi and Musead Hamada, tourists from Kuwait, were driving along the N2 when they saw the big K3 sign and impulsively decided to have a look.
“We did the Mossel Bay zipline a few days ago and simply had to try this one as well,” Alsadiqi said. They were kitted out, taken up the mountain in a 4×4 and sent down the zipline.
“It was a fantastic experience,” Alsadiqi declared.
Although prior online bookings are preferred, walk-ins are also welcome.
For additional information or to plan your visit to the world’s longest zipline, visit www.saforestadventures.co.za, or follow its facebook page at https://.www.facebook.com/K3SaForestAdventures/
