Ocean Reefs to Treetop Adventures

Adrenaline junkies will love South Africa’s Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park because there are so many ways you can get high or low. You can take a 10-zipline adventure, leap off the highest commercial bungee jump in the world, go scuba diving, tubing, or hiking. Located in the Eastern Cape Province, Tsitsikamma stretches from the Indian Ocean, where rolling waves crash into rocks and spew spray 6m (20 ft.) in the air, to the 27m (90-ft.) high pines in temperate forests.

Tsitsikamma means “the place of much water,” and racing in a jet boat on the Storms River between narrow canyon walls you can see high-water marks where water rushes downstream after a heavy storm in the forest beyond. When the water is calm check out the Lilliputian-sized people walking across the suspension bridge hung from one canyon side to the other at the mouth of the river.

It’s also possible to scuba dive and snorkel on the Storms River and the Indian Ocean, though you’ll have to rely on calm waters. Trips usually depart from Storms River Mouth. You will have opportunities for seeing vibrant reefs and colorful fish. Shark and dolphin sightings are also common.

If your plans in Tsitsikamma involve staying dry, there are plenty of distractions above water, too. Snug in a harness, you’ll become hooked to your first zipline. Looks and sounds easy, until it’s time to take, literally, a leap of faith. Jump into the air and you’re halfway across the line to the next platform before you start breathing again. Just nine more ziplines to go. The lines are strung from one tree to another, at times stretching almost 270m (900 ft.). At each platform, guides offer tidbits about the park’s history and the forest you’re zipping through.

If you like to leap off bridges, the Bloukrans Bridge has the highest commercial bungee jumping operation in the world (see ). You’ll don a full body harness, then walk out on a special catwalk to the top of the arch (212m/708 ft. above the river), count down, and jump off. If you don’t want to take the catwalk, the Flying Fox, a 197m (656 ft.) cable slide is the fast route to the bridge’s archway. If you don’t want to do the bungee jump, or even just the Flying Fox for the thrill, you can still take a tour of the bridge on the catwalk.

Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park is a comfortable day trip from Port Elizabeth, although you won’t be able to experience all of the adventures in 1 day. If you’re staying in Cape Town, plan on an overnight trip. At Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, there is comfortable lodging perched on the rocks above the coastline offering spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. —LF

South Africa National Parks ( 27/42/281-1607; www.sanparks.org/parks/tsitsikamma). South Africa Nature Reserves ( 27/21/424-1037; www.nature-reserve.co.za/tsitsikamma-coastal-national-park.html).

When to Go: Year-round.

Cape Town International (483km/300 miles).

$$ The Cape Cadogan, 5 Upper Union St., Cape Town ( 27/21-480-8080; www.capecadogan.com). Storms River Mouth Rest Camp, in the National Park (see above).