奥里比峡谷自然保护区(Oribi Gorge Nature Reserve)位于南非夸祖鲁-纳塔尔省,距离海滨城市德班大约120公里。这片保护区占地面积达到1917公顷,以其深达400米的宏伟峡谷景观闻名于世。如果你想在这里体验世界级的极限运动或者进行深度徒步,建议至少预留一整天时间。目前成人门票价格大约为30兰特,折合人民币不到15元,即便在南非众多的自然保护区中,这里的性价比也相当突出。建议出发前查看官网获取最新信息。
说起这里的重头戏,由私营公司 Wild 5 Adventures 经营的极限运动项目肯定排在第一位。最出名的莫过于那个落差达165米的大秋千,它是目前世界上最高的峡谷大秋千之一。参与者需要从吊桥边缘一跃而下,那种长达数秒的自由落体体验伴随着耳边呼啸的风声,绝对能让肾上腺素瞬间飙升。跳下去之后,整个人会像钟摆一样在4亿年形成的砂岩峭壁间荡漾,那种视觉冲击力确实很强。
如果觉得大秋千太硬核,滑索项目稍微柔和一些。一段长约120米的滑索直接架设在悬崖两侧,高度大约离地面160米。滑行过程中可以低头俯瞰下方奔腾的姆齐姆库卢瓦纳河(Mzimkulwana River)。另外这里还提供约110米的绳降项目,由于崖壁非常陡峭,下降过程中需要克服巨大的心理障碍。这些项目并不包含在保护区的入场费里,需要单独在服务中心购票。周末和节假日排队的人比较多,建议早上九点一开门就过去抢位子。
如果你不喜欢这种心跳加速的感觉,保护区内的徒步步道其实更有意思。戴胜鸟瀑布步道(Hoopoe Falls)是这里最受欢迎的路线之一。走完这条路大概需要两到三个小时,沿途地势相对平缓。这里布满了茂密的亚热带丛林,能看到很多奇特的砂岩地貌。清晨或者傍晚出发,在密林深处甚至能碰到出来觅食的小羚羊或者岩狸。瀑布虽然水量受季节影响较大,但那种藏在深山里的清幽感很适合带家里的老人和孩子一起感受。
想要看到更宏大的峡谷全景,可以去挑战狒狒观景点(Baboon View)。这条步道的难度稍高,需要爬坡并穿过一些碎石路段。站在终点的悬崖边缘,你可以看到长约27公里的峡谷裂痕像大地身上的巨大伤疤一样向两侧延伸。清晨六点半出发时,山谷里往往笼罩着一层薄雾,那种静谧的感觉和极限运动区的喧嚣截然不同。由于山上信号不稳定,出发前最好在售票处领一张简单的纸质地图,以免走错岔路。
从德班开车过来大概需要1.5小时到2小时。走N2高速公路往南到谢普斯通港(Port Shepstone)附近转向内陆即可抵达。这条路虽然铺装得不错,但在接近保护区大门的最后一段路比较崎岖。如果租车的话,普通的轿车虽然也能开进去,但底盘高一些的SUV会让你省心不少。沿途路牌标识还算清楚,直接导航定位到 Oribi Gorge Hotel 或者保护区正门都不容易跑偏。停车方面比较方便,保护区内有几个指定的停车区,治安状况在南非算是相当不错的。
钱的问题也得算清楚,除了门票和玩项目的费用,记得带够现金,因为山里有些小摊位或者紧急补给站可能不支持信用卡。这里的最佳旅游季节是5月到9月的旱季,虽然清晨冷到需要抱着热水杯,但空气通透度最高,非常适合拍照。如果是12月到2月的雨季过来,虽然满眼翠绿,但步道会变得非常湿滑,泥泞的路面走起来很费劲。另外一定要记得涂防晒霜,峡谷里的紫外线反射非常强烈,即便阴天也容易晒脱皮。
Wild 5 Adventures 经营的大秋千单人价格大约在700至800兰特之间,具体价格会随汇率和季节微调。建议在官网或者服务处再次确认当前收费,该费用不含保护区入口收取的30兰特门票。
保护区内有由 Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife 管理的自助式小木屋,价格通常在每晚800至1200兰特不等。如果不习惯这种露营感较强的住宿,峡谷边缘也有私营的 Oribi Gorge Hotel 提供更舒适的客房和正餐服务。
这个著名的拍照打卡点实际上位于保护区边缘的一家私人庄园内,并不在国家保护区的大门里面。从保护区开车过去大概只有10分钟路程,由于那是私人领地,通常需要在那里的餐厅消费或者支付小额入场费才能进入露台拍照。
在南非的户外景点中,奥里比峡谷的安全记录比较良好,徒步路线通常都有清晰标识。不过一个人进山还是不建议的,最好结伴而行,并且在下午四点半天黑前返回,因为太阳落山后峡谷内的气温会迅速下降。
Greer Van Zyl Had a wonderful Easter Saturday, walking the Samango Falls (about 1.6 km to the falls, then back) and Nkonka Trail (about 2.5km to a dead end, then back). The walk to the Falls was a bit technical with some steep bits but really beautiful. Nkonka had flat stretches but was quite overgrown in places and quite a few spider webs had to be swished away with a stick. Both walks together took us about 4 hours. A walking/hiking stick would be useful. We are a walking/hiking fit family It had rained quite hard a few days before, so there were puddles and some muddy places, but most of it was under tree cover so deliciously cool. Caution: I would definitely not do either of these in the rain, there are steep parts on both walks. The website is outdated: it costs R50 pp cash, which is paid to the rangers at the parking lot. There is plenty of parking; toilets (with paper); and picnic tables.
Annalize Mc Govern We drove through the gorge and it was amazing, beautiful views. Well done with the clean toilets at the picnic stop. Please keep a eye on toilet rolls and seats. Road going in not that bad, but a bit of potholes when coming out. All in all great experience will go again.
Deborah Whelan Worth the scenic drive if you’re driving from Pietermaritzburg&durban …. Man we really do have a beautiful province and PLEASE stop off at Leopard Rock restaurant 💯
Muhammad Ally The hoopoe trail is not safe to be undertaken alone. Concentration is required and good fitness. The trail doesn’t appear to be maintained adequately. Overgrowth can be cleared. It’s not well marked either. You can get lost. It’s quite long plan for a 3 to 4 hour roundtrip. The rangers on site charge us R50 per adult. The suspension bridge in within a private property. An entrance fee is payable. San rock art and zip lining is within that property too.
Korvin Pillay Stunning views, scenic drive and game reserve. Plenty of activities for the family to do, makes for a great day out. Would 100% recommend.