Bungee Jumping has always been on my bucket list. After doing activities like Parasailing in India, Paragliding from one of the highest mountains in Turkey (Check my paragliding experience here) it was time to let the adrenaline kick in!
When my friends and I decided to embark on our South African journey, we knew that Bungee was something we will not miss at any cost. Accordingly, after spending a few days sightseeing in Cape Town & Knysna we headed to Tsitsikamma for the much-awaited bungee jump
Bloukrans Bridge Bungee
At 216 metres, Bloukrans Bridge bungee jumping is the 3rd highest after Macau (233 metres) and Switzerland (220 metres) but the highest commercial bridge bungee jump, above the Bloukrans river, in the world. It is located at Tsitsikamma on the South African Garden route. Face Adrelanine officially operates it from 1997.
How to reach Tsitsikamma?
We were heading from Knysna and the total drive took 1.5 hours. Best option is to rent a car and drive it or hire a guide for your total stay in South Africa
From Plettenberg: 1 hour
From George: 2 hours
Opening hours :
Opening time: 9 am
Closing time: 5 pm
They take people in batches of 20. So the earlier you reach, the faster you can go for your bungee.
Cost of the Jump
The cost of the jump is 1,350 ZAR. If you opt for the photos & video option then its costs additional 400 ZAR.
We were allowed to bring our mobile phones to the jump site in case one doesn’t want to opt for the photos clicked by Face Adrenaline team.
Trust me you want those pictures you remember the day forever!
The adventure begins!
If you thought you will reach the bridge and go for the jump then my friend it’s not that easy.
Firstly, they give you a briefing about the bridge & the jump. If that didn’t scare you then you proceed towards the Zip line.
Wait! Zip line? I thought we came for the Bungee Jump right?
They take you to the very centre of the bridge through a zip line. Imagine 216 metres above the sea level, a small river flowing below and the majestic sea on the other side. You get the picture!
Finally Jump time! Upon reaching the centre of the bridge, they decide the jump numbers. As per my understanding it was on the basis of the persons weight. I wanted to go ASAP as I couldn’t bring myself to see other people jump nor did I want to chicken out (1350 ZAR remember!) at the last minute. I waited till almost the end of the batch before they finally decided to let me jump! They played some DJ music to calm our nerves. Like that would have helped!
Someone started putting the safety straps in place and all I kept thinking was get over with it soon so that I can jump. I inched slowly towards the edge turned back and asked our guide if he was sure that he had all the safety checks in place. Nervous you can imagine
Ok, now I am at the edge looking down, arms stretched waiting for them to give me the final signal. I took a Deep Breath and the signal came 1,2,3, BUNGEE, and I JUMPED!
I cannot explain the rush that I felt. I had my eyes wide open the whole time screaming at the top of my lungs. The free fall lasted for about 5- 8 seconds and then I was bouncing in the air after reaching the bottom. Ok! so this went on for eternity and I felt like a pendulum clock to be honest. Finally, I came to a standstill, hanging upside down facing the river below, taking in the incredible view of the river below me and the sea on the other side, and my mind begins to act funny. Now this was the part that actually scared me as I kept feeling that the safety on my ankles if going to come off any moment! I kept waiting… waiting… some more waiting
Finally, one of the crew members came to fetch me up. It was all I could do and not grab him the moment he arrived… The crew member was kind enough to keep me engaged the whole time by asking me about where I was from, what do I do for a living etc and before I knew it I was back on the bridge.
Once back I couldn’t believe that I did it! Faced my fears and overcame them. Highest Bungee Jump in the world from a bridge, TICKED OFF!
Some tips for First timers :
We had made the booking online the previous night to ensure that we get into the first slot in the morning.
Link for booking : https://faceadrenalin.activitar.com/services/5097
Preferably wear jeans, a full sleeve t -shirt or shirt and a jacket as it gets pretty cold on the bridge.
Wear closed shoes that cant fall off when you jump. Do not wear your sunglasses or a hat or cap when you jump.
The bungee fall doesn’t hurt but try to stretch before the jump if you can.
There is a very narrow steel walkway that is used to walk back after your bungee jump.
Since it’s a steel net, you can look down into the valley. So whatever you do, don’t look down..
If you ever decide to come to South Africa you must give this a shot.
As it is rightly written at Faceadrenaline that “FEAR IS TEMPORARY BUT REGRET IS PERMANENT”
For more interesting stories visit www.touristtotravellers.com
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