The newly launched Golden Gate Zipline is expected to attract younger visitors and adventure seekers while showcasing the park’s landscapes from a different view. The zipline, which was launched on Saturday (15/8) consists of seven cables and platforms, with the longest cable stretching 650m.

The approximately one-hour adventure starts at an altitude of about 1,300 metres above sea level and ends at around 1,200m. It is open to visitors at a rate of R650 per person, and is open to visitors aged 6 years and older.

Launched under the theme Experience Golden Gate from a Perspective, the zipline aims to offer visitors an opportunity to experience the park’s scenery while adding an adrenaline-filled activity to its existing tourism products.

The seven-cable adventure forms part of efforts by South African National Parks to expand the park’s tourism offering, while creating opportunities for job creation, skills development and additional revenue to support the long-term sustainability of national parks.

“The new attraction is part of an effort to ensure that national parks offer experiences that appeal to a broader range of visitors and attract people who may never previously have considered visiting the park,” said Golden Gate Highlands park manager Paddy Gordon.

“It’s a heart-stopping adrenaline rush, but you’re also going to do the zipline in an incredibly wild space. It’s almost like dropping a stone into a puddle, and it has all these little ripples that go out.

“There’s no time that I can say, ‘Don’t come to Golden Gate this time.’ It’s been amazing. Very different, every season. But every season has its attractions as well.”

The zipline follows the successful launch of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, which attracted about 100,000 visitors in its first year. The park previously attracted between 50,000 and 80,000 visitors annually, making the response to the dinosaur centre a significant boost for the park.

Between seven and nine local people have already been trained for operational roles, with employees undergoing several months of intensive preparation and visiting other zipline attractions to gain experience in equipment, safety standards and customer expectations, said Gordon.

The Golden Gate Zipline complements the park’s existing hiking trails, scenic drives, accommodation facilities and Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretation Centre, adding another reason for visitors to explore the destination.

“The park deliberately developed the zipline and dinosaur centre as attractions rather than accommodation products, ensuring they do not compete directly with existing accommodation businesses in the surrounding area,” said Gordon.

“The broader objective is to encourage visitors to experience Golden Gate rather than simply stay inside its accommodation facilities.”

The Golden Gate Zipline operates daily from 09:00 to 16:00, with the last tour departing at 15:00.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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