The concept of guiding people through the upper canopy of a rainforest originated in Costa Rica, where adventurous biologists devised new methods for accessing the forest canopy in order to conduct research on the undiscovered canopy ecosystem. The idea soon developed into a breathtaking form of eco-tourism which allowed people to enter and experience a previously inaccessible natural environment.

TSITSIKAMMA
Construction of the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour© has been done in accordance with strict civil engineering standards. The system was designed and created by an adventurous civil engineer who constructed a similar canopy tour in Costa Rica. The safety standards have been significantly enhanced and the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour© uses state of the art equipment and has been rated as the most sophisticated of it's kind in the world. Concept to completion has taken fourteen and a half months.

The tour begins with a detailed safety briefing followed by a 'kitting up' session where full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment is put on and checked. A short drive into the Tsitsikamma forest and it is time to monkey around!

From the start on the launch platform a new world unfolds as one gently glides on a steel cable to the first tree platform. All groups are escorted through the forest canopy by a lead guide and a follow guide to ensure your safety as you slide from tree to tree. The platforms, built high up in the giant Outeniqua Yellowwoods, provide an unbelievable view of this enchanting new world - any fear of heights is soon lost as you gather in your new surroundings...

Spend a couple of minutes relaxing while your guides enthusiastically explain the ecology of the forest - pointing out different trees and the magnificent giant ferns way below. The bird life is incredible. Knysna Loeries, sightings of the elusive Narina Trogon and the Samago monkey are not uncommon. The Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour© consists of eight platforms and nine 'fufi' slides, the longest of which is over 80m!

About three hours later you exit the forest, having undertaken the journey of a lifetime. You have contributed to the creation of new jobs and are helping the forest regeneration project.

Daily departures every ½ hour from 07:00 in summer and from 08:00 in winter.

WOODCUTTERS JOURNEY
Journey with us down the old Stormsriver Pass, and experience the indigenous forest from the comfort of a specially-designed vehicle. Follow the elephant trail, passing yellowwoods and stinkwoods, while hearing about the history of the area and the indigenous flora and fauna. Enjoy a delicious lunch or tea at a beautiful picnic site next to the Stormsriver, where wagons outspanned more than a century ago. Departure times: Morning Tea: 08H30, Lunch 11H30, Afternoon Tea:14H30


KARKLOOF
Construction of the Karkloof Canopy Tour® has been done in accordance with strict civil engineering standards. The system was designed and constructed by Tree Top Tours, creators of the internationally acclaimed Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour® on the Garden Route. A full environment impact study was undertaken to ensure that the forest ecology would not be harmed in any way. The subsequent environmental management plan was submitted to and then approved by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism before construction began.

Safety is paramount and the Karkloof Canopy Tour® uses state of the art climbing and safety equipment. Concept to completion has seen eight months of ducking vines, climbing large trees and carrying heavy cables through the forest. The fun has now begun…

The tour begins with a detailed safety briefing followed by a 'kitting up' session where full body harness, pulleys and climbing equipment is put on and safety-checked. A short scenic drive to the top of the Karkloof valley and it is time to monkey around!

From the start on the launch platform a new world unfolds as one gently glides on a steel cable to the first platform. All groups are escorted through the forest canopy by a lead guide and a follow guide to ensure your safety as you slide from tree to tree. The platforms are built high up in the forest canopy and all offer different views of the surrounding forest, a magnificent 20m waterfall, clear sparkling forest stream and across the expansive Karkloof valley far below.

Spend a couple of minutes relaxing on the platforms while your guides enthusiastically explain the ecology of the forest - pointing out different trees and the magnificent giant ferns way below. The bird life is incredible. This includes the opportunity of spotting Emerald Cuckoos, Knysna Loeries, a wide variety of raptors and if you are lucky, the elusive Narina Trogon or endangered Cape Parrots. The forest is also home to a variety of mammals, but it is the loud calls and fearsome tree swinging of the Samago monkeys that you will remember best. The Karkloof Canopy Tour® consists of seven platforms and eight 'fufi' slides, the longest of which is over 170m! A tour lasts approximately three hours, is suitable for most people between the ages of seven and seventy and includes a delicious Midlands meal served once your group is safely back on ground.

Daily departures every hour from 08:00 to 15:00. ABSEILING ALSO AVAILABLE AT KARKLOOF!


MAGALIESBERG
Situated at the Sparkling Waters Hotel and Spa (which is a mere 1,5 hours drive from Johannesburg and Pretoria) is the Magaliesberg Canopy Tour. The third of it's kind in South Africa, with the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour just outside Plettenberg Bay and the Karkloof Canopy Tour outside Howick in the Natal Midlands.

The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is a unique eco-adventure that takes clients on a 2,5 hour tour down the spectacular Ysterhout Kloof, set in the ancient Magaliesberg Mountains. Eleven platforms have been built against the cliffs and rock faces of the kloof and are joined by long steel cables that clients slide along to reach the next platform. Much like a "fufi" slide, the canopy tour essentially involves zigzagging down the kloof while stopping at each platform to admire the expansive views and surrounding ecology. Two trained canopy guides assure the safety of each participant while describing interesting facts about the indigenous plants, bird life, ecology and geology of the area.

Slide above the kloof from eleven platforms built high against the cliffs and rock faces of the kloof and joined by ten slides up to 140m long and in some places up to 30m above the stream below.

Daily departures every 45 minutes from 07:00 to 16:30 in summer, and 08:00 to 15:30 in winter.

MAGOEBASKLOOF
Experience the thrill of sliding through the forest on a 2 ½ hour Tarzan and Jane style adventure! Magoebaskloof Canopy Tours will take you into a previously inaccessible realm of nature, moving you between platforms built high within the upper level of indigenous forests and ancient mountain cliffs. Each platform is joined by our spectacular 'foefie' cable slide high above the sparkling river, waterfalls and forest floor.

Relax and absorb the tranquillity of your natural surroundings on each platform. Magoebaskloof Canopy Tours' trained guides ensure the safety of each group while describing facts about the fauna, flora and ecology of the surrounding environment. Suitable for anyone between 7 and 70. Great for the whole family, nature lovers, thrill seekers and corporate groups.

The Magoebaskloof Canopy Tour ® is RUN BY Thaba-Metsi Adventures, which takes the whole concept one step further as thirteen platforms have all been individually designed and built overlooking the spectacular Groot Letaba River. Journey through the ecology and geology of one of the most spectacular waterfall gorges in the province. The Letaba River gorge is home to a wide variety of plant, animal and birdlife - watch out for the Giant Kingfisher.

DRAKENSBERG
Situated in an indigenous forest of the Central Drakensberg, in the shadow of the towering Cathkin Peak, the Drakensberg Canopy Tour® awaits you. Boasting Africa’s first elevated rock face walkway with a good mix of both cliff face and treetop platforms, the Drakensberg Canopy Tour should go to the top of your “must do” list.
 
MALOLOTJA SWAZILAND
We have also been across the border into Swaziland recently to start work on our first ‘international’ Canopy Tour® at the majestic Malolotja Nature Reserve. This secluded mountain reserve contains plenty of game, amazing birdlife and a world renowned display of wildflowers in spring – all in all the ideal setting for a Canopy Tour. The Malolotja Canopy Tour is scheduled to open in January 2010.



RATES
Tours are conducted in all weather conditions but can be cancelled in the interest of safety. The maximum group size in Tsitsikamma is 8 while it is 7 at Karkloof and 8 at Magaliesberg. Booking is essential and pre-payment is required via direct bank deposit or Internet transfer. Maximum Weight Limit: 120kg. Pregnant ladies are not allowed to take part in excursions.

VALID 01 NOVEMBER 2009 TO 31 OCTOBER 2010

Tree Top Tours
R450 per person which includes all equipment, guides and light refreshments afterwards