World’s Longest Zipline in Overberg Mountains
Mzansi has something new and exciting: the world’s longest zipline, launched near Caledon in the Overberg region of the Western Cape. This 3.2-kilometre zipline surpasses Dubai’s 2.8-kilometre record. Starting from 500 meters high in the Caledon Mountains, it can reach speeds over 100 kilometres per hour. It’s expected to draw adrenaline junkies worldwide and boost the local economy.
The K3 installation and site were chosen for various reasons. After the successful opening of phase 1, the development team began planning a record-breaking 5km zipline on the same property.
The K3 Zipline is a collaboration between SA Forest Adventures and Mossel Bay Zipline. “We believe the zipline is more than just a top attraction. A phenomenal amount of planning has gone into the project since its conceptual inception and approval in 2018. We are spearheading marketing the country as a premier adventure destination, with another project of international standards within our brand. We firmly believe in South Africa’s ability to lead in the adventure industry, which is why we invest substantially in these projects,” said MD Clinton Lerm. “We still firmly believe in South Africa as a top tourism destination and a world player alongside other adventure destinations like New Zealand and Canada.”
For adrenaline junkie Pierre Steyn, it’s an unforgettable adventure. “It feels like flying. You just want to put your arms out and pretend you’re Superman. It’s over quite quickly. It’s a 3km, 3-minute ride down. Before you know it, you’ve reached the end and want to do it again.”
The new zipline will also boost the local economy through tourism. Social media is buzzing with comments about the thrilling experience, calling it an upgrade to their countless adventures.
Welcoming the launch of K3, Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, said: “We are excited about the launch of K3, another world-class and unique tourism experience in the Western Cape, attracting both domestic and international visitors to the beautiful Overberg region. We are grateful to our tourism businesses, such as SA Forest Adventures, who have shown great resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic, developing innovative new tourism products that support economic recovery in the Western Cape.” K3 brings much-needed financial investment into Caledon and the Overberg. As with all other adventure projects, they intend to provide training and employment opportunities to local communities.
Provincial Tourism Minister Ivan Meyer added, “I’m particularly excited. This is now a global asset for SA. My job is to grow the economy and create a R1 trillion economy. Part of that growth is to achieve a 5% GDP growth in the Western Cape. To do that, I need to triple our tourism, and this will help us greatly to achieve our tourism targets.”
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