Cape Town - To make your winter more fun, Cape Town Tourism has launched a campaign called Hello Weekend! comprising packages from now until July which cater to all tastes, from family outings and adrenalin rushes, to romantic getaways and BFF jaunts.
Although there are specific dates for each one, since some activities are time sensitive – like the Whisky Live Festival next month – you can tailor-make your own weekend from the suggested activities, and you don’t need to be limited by the ones designed for men or women.
I was presented with the full list of options and will be working my way through some of them. The first one was zip-lining with SA Forest Adventures at Silvermist Estate in Constantia.
Until now, if you wanted to try this exciting experience you would have had to drive quite far out of Cape Town. Since this zip-line tour, which stretches over seven platforms and more than 2km of wire cables, opened at the end of last year it’s brought the opportunity a whole lot closer to home.
I’ve done it twice before in different places, with varying measures of success – as in not always making a graceful landing and having to haul myself in manually, which is hell on the arms – but it’s something that is good enough to be done as often as possible.
Wherever you choose to go, there’s going to be beautiful scenery because of your elevated position in the mountains, and the feeling as you whizz along high above the treetops is pure exhilaration.
Zip-lining is an all-weather adventure but do consider packing warm clothing at this time of the year. It was a chilly day when we went last week, with a biting wind. However, once you complete the first line, you’ll find you’ve warmed up significantly.
There are also a couple of steep hikes involved, which help increase the circulation and the heart rate. Because you just never know with Cape Town, take sun block as well, and water to drink along the way.
A reasonable level of fitness is required and definitely no fear of heights. If you get to the first platform and change your mind, they’ll make you walk back to base camp and it’s far; there’s quite a hair-raising 4x4 ride to the beginning. Our group had no such problems, and stepped off the platforms with alacrity, especially the wonderful Granny Dee Cornhill who was there to celebrate her 85th birthday with her family. That woman is an inspiration to all of us. The only complaint she had was that she didn’t like wearing the helmet. Rebel.
Of course there is an indemnity form to sign before the guides strap you into your harness, but their confidence on the wires and easy, friendly manner quickly put you at ease. We were in the capable and very charming hands of Lorenzo Dramat and Akhona Mbabtyothi, who ensured a great time was had by all.
The zip-line tour costs R480 and lasts about 90 minutes to two hours depending on the size of your group.
l To book call Clinton on 083 517 3635, e-mail [email protected] and for more information on zip-lining as well as many other activities, see www.saforestadventures.co.za
For details about Cape Town Tourism’s offers see www.helloweekend.capetown
Weekend Argus