Exceptionally bad experiences and exceptionally good experiences quite often have me hurrying in the direction of my computer to pen a few words.

In this particular instance, I’m very happy to report that the impulse that has me trotting toward my laptop, is an exceptionally enjoyable ziplining experience set in the Hottentots Holland mountains outside Cape Town, the Cape Canopy Tour.

The tone was set, when our tour reservation was completed seamlessly online, and in the run up to the booking, reminders and information were emailed to us just as efficiently. This efficacy continued along the same vein when on the actual morning of the excursion, we were personally and personably welcomed in the carpark by one of the smiling Cape Canopy Tour staff members, this warm greeting demonstrative of a well-organised and slick operation.

Located in a CapeNature reserve, a mere hour outside of the Mother city, the 4×4 drive through the pristine wilderness up into the mountains to the initial platform, is a gratifying little excursion in itself, the scenery of this World Heritage Site is striking, the air crisp and clean, and the fynbos verdant; we were also fortunate enough to be amid a few vestiges of the recent snowfall on the higher peaks around us.

The actual ziplining is just plain AWESOME, I loved every single second of it!

The cliff drop-offs and steely rock faces, the rivers and plummeting waterfalls, the venerable aged trees and lush vegetation, the astute engineering of the slides and the ingenuity of the platforms, the height, the space, the speed, the breath-taking views and vistas, the sense of freedom, I’d be hard-pressed to verbalise what delighted me most; it really is one complete and utterly enchanting package. Oh, and did I mention ‘fun’!

And, of course, mention must be made of the guides who are professional and knowledgeable … long suffering AND good humoured … especially when dealing with yet another ‘nervous Nelly’ and/or screeching banshee! No, not me!

From beginning to end, the experience was wholly gratifying, and comes highly recommended, both for locals and visitors alike. The operation is slick and well run, check-in is efficient (on tablets, no paperwork), small efficient coffee bar/cafe, couple of curios on sale (T’s, beanies, peak hats, but nothing forced on you), all gear in good nick, vehicles in good nick, the light lunch (Peregrine pie and slaw) most enjoyable.

The cliff drop-offs and steely rock faces, the rivers and plummeting waterfalls, the venerable aged trees and lush vegetation, the astute engineering of the slides and the ingenuity of the platforms, the height, the space, the speed, the breath-taking views and vistas, the sense of freedom.

The last platform appears far too quickly, this is one tour I can’t wait to repeat, and will definitely be booking again.

Our very own Liesl, ever intrepid and always keen to try out new experiences, booked her family on the Garden Route’s Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour and LOVED it too

Liesl (smiling bravely!) as she and her family prepare for their zipline through the tree tops of the Tsitsikamma Forest on the Garden Route

No hitches, no hold ups, the whole operation just ‘works’ !  This we  can recommend and book without even thinking. For visitors looking to book a gentle adventure and to experience a taste of pristine Cape wilderness, this is the one.

VIDEO