Graskop Gorge Lift, Zipline & Big Swing

What person in their right mind would throw themselves off the edge of a gorge? 

Well, I took a trip to the Graskop Gorge. Situated on Mpumalanga’s scenic Panoramic Route, Graskop Gorge Lift Co is home to an indigenous Afromontane forest, with a pioneering gorge lift to soak it all in. 

The lowveld is full of adventure highs. The Big Swing, one of the world’s highest cable gorge swings, launches you off the top of a waterfall. Unlike bungee jumping, you’ll freefall for 70 meters before the jump rope propels you into a high-speed arch, swinging you from one side of the gorge to the other.

The recently built Graskop Gorge Lift is a marvelous addition to Mpumalanga's sightseeing destinations and an essential stop on the Panorama Route.

The glass windowed lift descends 50 meters into a beautiful gorge. A 600m walkway offers a rare opportunity to discover the beauty of this ecosystem with its unique birds, trees and a waterfall. Thoughtful and playful information signs explain the forests ecosystem. Waterfalls through the gorge are dramatic and tranquil all at once. The Suspension bridges meander along a 600-metre trail through the indigenous forest with interactive exhibits.

The forest is spectacular; my kind of cathedral, and a large stained glass ‘window’ depicting various birds and plants has been suspended over the wooden walkway, really bringing home the hallowed cathedral like feel to the place.

Graskop enjoys a temperate climate, making it comfortable to explore its heights and depths all year round. It is just over an hour from Nelspruit, and about 4.5 hours from Johannesburg in Gauteng.