Wild 5:

Abseiling

Wild Water Rafting

Wild Slide

Wild Swing

Hiking and
Bike Trails
.

Adrenalin
Which is served up in generous portions in the Oribi Gorge area. If adventure is in your blood, you can look forward to activities ranging from a relaxed exploration of this phenomenal natural paradise to the adrenalin inducing (and nerve wracking) experience of hurling yourself off the top of Lehr’s Waterfall (a 33-storey fall). THE WILD 5

Art
This area is home to a number of passionate and talented artists, who draw their inspiration from the pristine natural beauty surroundings.

ARTIST: DUNCAN SHOESMITH

Duncan Lionel Shoesmith was born in Durban on the 12th July 1949, but grew up in Port Shepstone. A born artist, he studied art at the Durban Technikon. His home overlooks the scenic Oribi Gorge, and he never tires of painting its many moods. His preferred medium is oil and acrylic, but he also uses pastels, pencil and watercolour. Apart from landscapes he creates life paintings, murals and graphic art.

Contact Duncan if you wish to visit his home studio, for a chat and to view his originals, which are for sale. Miniature signed prints, presented in a double cut mount can be purchased at the Thembela Curio Shop at the Ezinqoleni Tourism Information Office for R145.

ARTIST: FANI SHABANE

Born and raised in the area, young Fani is a natural with a brush. Although he has partaken of no formal training as yet, his dream is to become a professional artist. His chosen medium is acrylic, and he too draws his inspiration from nature, painting landscapes and animals.

You can meet Fani on the Thembela Tour, during which you will be able to view samples of his work. Smaller pieces are for sale. These include unique painted calabashes and ostrich eggs. Contact Mandla on 082 2655 718.

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   Breathtakingly beautiful views
Ranging from exhilarating vistas from the top of Oribi Gorge, to those of the inspirational and mighty Umzimkhulu river valley, fringed with lush green forests filled with an abundance of birdlife… in the region of 300 recorded species.

The Oribi Gorge – a place of echoes – was created over millions of years as the Umzimkulwana river carved its way over flat rock, finding faults in the stone and eroding enormously deep and narrow gorges. At the base of the cliffs there are rocks that are 100 million years old.

There is beauty wherever your eyes rest, but you can look forward to highlights such as

1. The Overhanging Rock
2. The Chimney
3. Camel Rock
4. The Needle
5. Baboon’s Castle
6. Lehr’s Waterfall
7. The Heads
8. Lovers’ Leap

All these view sites are situated at Oribi Gorge Hotel. Other view sites not to be missed are Leopard Rock Coffee Shop and Eagle’s Nest at the Lake Eland Game Reserve.

For more information, please call the Ezinqoleni Tourism Association on 039-6877 561.

Coffee 
Which is grown in this area so prepare your senses for a journey into the local flavours and aromas of freshly roasted Arabica. 

COFFEE TOURS ARE OFFERED BY:

ECHO VALLEY COFFEE

The tours are presented in English and French, and include an educational on the growing and roasting of Arabica coffee, a visit to the coffee nursery, an informative tour of the roastery and are concluded with a delightful finale of enjoying a cup of freshly roasted coffee and a teatime treat overlooking the Gorge Valley. Before departure you are invited to visit the curio shop, and in season you even get to pick your own Macadamia nuts.
Cost: R20 per person
Children under 12 no charge
Average duration: 1 hour 
Times: Daily tours start at 10h00 and 14h00

THORNTON COFFEE

This guided tour takes you through the various stages of the production of their fine Arabica coffees, from the growing through to the roasting and packaging of their blends. Enjoy a cup of freshly roasted coffee and a snack in the delightful indigenous garden setting.
Cost: R20 per person
Average duration: 1 hour

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Delicious Cuisine
Ranging from light coffee shop treats to country-style three course meals. There is something to satisfy every taste. 

LEOPARD ROCK COFFEE SHOP

The relaxed coffee shop ambience, combined with the exhilarating view guarantee to titillate your senses. Enjoy a farm style breakfast, light meal or even a generous slice on homemade cake with a cup of freshly brewed coffee. The premises are full licensed.

Home to the famous Leopard Rock, which juts out over the vast expanse of the valley, this Coffee Shop should be on your list of places to visit during your stay. 
Trading hours: 08h30 – 17h00 (Tuesday to Sunday)

Light meals are also served at Lake Eland Game Reserve and Echo Valley Coffee Shop.

Game
What is more relaxing than a leisurely game drive through the picturesque 5000 acres of indigenous bush of Lake Eland Game Reserve?

LAKE ELAND GAME RESERVE

Well-maintained roads allow you to explore in your own vehicle, although guided drives can be arranged. Experience the diversity of 4 distinct ecosystems – Bushveld, Grasslands, Wetlands and Coastal Forest, filled with a host of fauna such as giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, and a range of antelope including eland, mountain reedbuck, and bushbuck. Serious Ornithologists and casual birdwatchers will be thrilled to see Narina Torgan, Starred Robin, Knysna Woodpeckers and Crowned and Martial Eagles, to mention but a few of the 200-odd species spotted here to date. Apart from the safari experience, Lake Eland Game Reserve offers the following activities and facilities:

Facilities: Activities:
- Restaurant - Horse trails
- Curio shop - Hiking trails
- Picnic site - Mountain biking 
- Braai area - Fresh water fishing
- Childrens’ playground - Day and night drives
- Oribi Gorge view sites - 80m suspension bridge
- Camping site with ablution - lookout post

Cost:
Entrance fee: R20 per Adult
Children under 5 no charge

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Handcrafts

There is a host of talent, ranging from beadwork and baskets to pottery and handmade clothing. 
A delightful range of these crafts can be viewed at the curio shops listed below. Ask for details of local crafts at each facility. 

CURIO SHOPS

There is no shortage of CURIO SHOPS in the area, and the variety of items offered for sale range from beautiful to bizarre.

CURIO SHOPS

CURIO SHOPS CAN BE FOUND AT THE FOLLOWING VENUES:

Echo Valley Coffee Shop
Kunata Craft Shop
Lake Eland Game Reserve
Leopard Rock Coffee Shop
Oribi Gorge Guest Farm
Oribi Gorge Hotel
Thembela Arts & Crafts

INSPIRATION

What better way to be inspired than by the simple pleasures that seem so rare in our rushed society?

THEMBELA TOURS

This 4-hour tour is an educational adventure that will bring you to the doorstep of true Zulu culture… no rehearsals, no role-play. Step inside and experience the magic of the Sangoma, the remarkable talent of the local crafters and artists, and the simple, yet heart-warming hospitality of the local ladies, as they introduce you to their style of cooking. This is an experience that does not pretend to be any more than it is. If you enjoy the outdoors, love people, seek out new experiences, then call Mandla on 082 2655 718 or Galia on 082 404 1508.

Cost:
R180.00 per person (in your own vehicle)
R250.00 per person (minibus taxi – Min 6 persons)

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