Kloofing the Kamikaze Canyon
The name, ‘Kamikaze’ says it all, but don’t let this deter you from experiencing the thrill of kloofing.
Kloofing is done in mountain gorges, so there will always be some element of risk involved. However, if you feel nervous, you can kloof with an experienced local guide. The guides give you training beforehand so that you are constantly informed on what to do.
Kloofing consists of following the course of a mountain stream. There is plenty of jumping, clambering, swimming, floating or any safe method of movement through or along the water, avoiding rocks of all sizes and shapes. The pure rush of fear and excitement is felt as you leap off cliffs and over the edge of waterfalls.
“There’s nothing more thrilling than free-falling through the air into cool, black-coloured water”
Remember to pack appropriately for your trip, as kloofing is a full day experience and you don’t want to land up uncomfortable. Not only are your clothes going to get wet, but it’s a good idea to wear an old pair of shoes. You’ll need a small rucksack, lunch, water, sunblock, a hat, a towel and something warm to wear.
To get to the start of Kamikaze Canyon, you’ll need to do a 30-minute walk from Sunbird Guest Lodge. Make sure you have bulked up on enough breakfast as you’re going to need all that energy to get through the day without running out of steam.
If you are unfamiliar with this area, it would be a good idea to use a guide who know’s the depth of the pools – priceless information. They will also be able to show you the best places from which to jump.
Getting there: From Cape Town take the N2. Take the Gordon’s Bay turn off towards Rooiels. The river mouth is on this road.
Keep in mind when kloofing that you need to be able to dive into the pools without doing a belly flop. Not only is it painful but you’ll be opening yourself up to a whole load of teasing from your friends.
The height of the ledge or cliff you jump off depends entirely on you, but in some cases you won’t have a choice and you’ll just have to brace yourself and jump. The jump distances vary from as low as 3m to a rather hair raising 22m high.
After a couple of hours of kloofing, you’ll enjoy lunch and then you can look forward to an abseil down the Thunder Falls, if the weather conditions permit. Otherwise, you can enjoy a smaller abseil known as the Bomb Drop. This is one of the best parts of the day, as you get to abseil down a 65m waterfall – thereafter the kloofing continues.
The day finishes off back at the Sunbird Guest Lodge and a sundowner is a must, giving you ample opportunity to trade war stories from the day.
| More info on the Western Cape area |
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