Get To Acrobranch For Fun In The Trees
Send to KindleAs part of my adventure holiday prize from a competition I won at the Cape Getaway Show, was a day at Acrobranch which lies between Sedgefield and Wilderness. I had no idea what to expect, I only knew there was a zip line and tarzan swing involved. We arrived at the Timberlake Organic Village and made our way through the very gorgeous outdoor village which consisted of log cabins with unique and interesting shops, restaurants, children’s play area and at the very end, Acrobranch.
The staff were so incredibly friendly and led us to an area to get geared up. We had harnesses strapped on and were given a pair of gloves before heading into the forest to our first activity. As we arrived I noticed cables running from tree to tree, wooden platforms, tires, nets and so much more. We started out at the first course, which is a training course to learn safety and get comfortable with what you need to do.
The instructor went first to show us how it is done and explained what we needed to do. Attached to our harness were two safety lines and at all times you must have at least one of them clipped to the cable. As you climb the wooden ladder you clip onto the cable alongside each step and as you move up, you move one clip at a time so that you are always safe. We then walked along a cable … the instructor makes it look much easier than it is … you have to lean a certain way or you will fall off (thank goodness for safety ropes). This was only the training course, we still had level 2 and 3 to go. Level one progressed even further with more obstacles along the way.
The first zipline I did was a bit scary … the fear of pushing off from the platform and trusting the cable was hard at first, but once you have done it, you are so excited for the next one, it is such a rush and so much fun. Each course was harder than the last and presented more complicated tasks. There are always easier options along the way, but I went the same route as the instructor for the full experience and a bit more of a challenge.
Finally we got to a tarzan swing, where you clip your safety lines to the rope and launch from one platform high above the ground onto a net dangling in the trees and from there you climb up to the next platform. The instructor told us to hold on tight as the harness tends to ride up if you let go of the rope and drop and it may hurt a little. Well … I couldn’t hold on and yes it does hurt … not to mention that I then had to start climbing from the bottom of the rope net rather than from the middle where I would have landed if I had kept my grip.
I came out with a few bumps and bruises but it was well worth it and I would visit Acrobranch every day of the week if I could. Next time I am going to try their 220 metre zipline, that must be sensational!
Contact Acrobranch
Address: Timberlake Organic Village, N2 between Wilderness and Sedgefield, Garden Route
Telephone: +27 (0)78 251-4458
Destination Links
Wilderness Accommodation
Wilderness Attractions
Things to do in Wilderness
Sedgefield Bed & Breakfasts
Attractions in Sedgefield
Things to do in Sedgefield
About Michelle Rawlinson
Michelle has a huge love for all things aquatic, particularly marine life. Her main passion lies with Great White Sharks, although she is interested in all marine species and their well-being. She volunteers at the Two Oceans Aquarium in her spare time and would spend all her time by the sea or surrounded by nature if possible. After spending 7 years in the United Kingdom, she has returned back home to Cape Town to be nearer to her family and to her ‘favourite place in the world’. She enjoys camping, fishing, watching rugby and going out with her friends and family to try out new restaurants and bars.
