Gorge Swing in Zambia

Posted by Julia on Jul 20, 2010 in Travel

Zambia Gorge Swing

Legs bound, stomach queasy, it was too late to chicken out. Standing on the ledge of a deep gorge, tied to ropes and harnesses, I was at the gorge swing, summoning the nerve to jump.

The gorge swing experience offered by a locally-run company The Zambezi Swing, is similar to bungee jumping. Adventurers are outfitted in gear, secured to a wire and led to a platform. They free-fall 50 meters and finish with a pendulum swing over a dry gorge. Sounds crazy, but, when visiting the quaint town of Livingstone Zambia, adrenaline-soaked activities are a must.

An adventure hot spot located in the southern tip of Zambia, Livingstone is the place to be for thrill-seekers. Named after the 19th century colonial explorer famed for ‘discovering’ Victoria Falls, Livingstone is emerging as the Disney World of Africa. It draws young travelers keen on testing their nerves and their bladder control.

There are many activities to choose from, including: white water rafting along the Zambezi river ($125 USD for a full day); flying over the Victoria falls in a vintage Tiger Moth plane ($120 USD for 20 minutes); Bungee jumping 111 meters, for an upside down view of the Falls ($90 USD single jump). Activities aren’t cheap but even the stingiest of tourists can rationalize the cost of at least one activity.

Featured in the high-speed travel show The Amazing Race, the gorge swing peaked my interest. Since Livingstone is one of the only places in the world offering the activity, I had to try it.

Early morning, I found myself at Batoka Gorge. Though the scenery was beautiful, with orange rock-faces, lush trees, and a view of the Zambezi, the drop was drastic. I was expected to jump off a 70 meter platform into a pit 170 meters-wide. “Insane,” I thought to myself as a team of efficient staff guided me into two separate harnesses. They tightened thick straps and clipped-on metal karabiners.

Emmanuel, my buff instructor, offered a quick lesson. “Bend your knees. Keep your head down and tuck-in your chin,” he said, binding my feet together with an elasticized rope. He handed me a pair of workman gloves. I slipped them on and positioned trembling hands along thick cords strapped to the front my harness.

There was the option of going solo or tandem; falling face-first or backwards. I chose solo and, due to my extreme dislike of heights, went backwards so I couldn’t see the ground as I plummeted towards it.

Taking baby steps backwards, I inched my way closer to the edge, catching one last glimpse at the drop that awaited me.

My heart was pounding. I was having some major second thoughts. I’m the type of girl who likes the comfort and certainty of terra firma; Evil Knievel wasn’t my thing. I scurried away from the edge and asked a patient Emmanuel go over the safety rules one last time.

“Don’t think about it, just do it,” he said with the gusto of a motivational speaker.

Gaining control of my fear, I remembered The Zambezi Swing’s impeccable safety record: seven years, 50,000 jumps, no fatalities. I accepted the task and got into position. Emmanuel grabbed hold of my harness, dangled me backwards over the canyon’s edge and waited for my word of approval. “Don’t let me go until I’m ready,” I commanded, taking a few deep breaths before whispering a meek “ready.”

It’s counter intuitive to plummet backwards off a cliff, but that’s exactly what I did. The instructor let go and I free-fell backwards into the gorge. Speeding towards the earth, a deep sound escaped my belly. It took a few seconds to realize that the monstrous, echoing moan was coming from my own lips.

The rope sprang back and I swung on the string like a human yo-yo. Alive and well, dangling in mid-air, I could finally enjoy the scenery. “It’s beautiful,” I yelled to a friend.

Finding the courage to step off that ledge was terrifying but, once the free-fall is over and the swinging motion takes effect, dare devils will enjoy an overwhelming sense of accomplishment and relief.

Still buzzing from the drop, I trekked through the gorge, and made my way towards the top. Breathless and exhilarated, I slipped into a harness, clipped-on metal karabiners and prepared for another jump.

The Zambezi Swing offers half day ($75 US) and full day ($85 US) gorge swings. The full day option is the best value and includes lunch, beverages, a Zambian visa and transfers. Adrenaline junkies can swing as many times as they like (on average of three to five jumps) and, at no additional charge, can go abseiling, highwiring and rap jumping. Visit www.thezambeziswing.com for more information.

What’s your craziest adrenaline adventure? Leave your comments below…

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  • I regularly throw myself from airplanes and totally love the thrill and experience. But put me on the edge of a cliff / bridge close to the ground, and I am scared senseless! Perhaps why I'll never be a base jumper. I need time to sort through my rush of adrenaline and fear of heights! Bungey-jumping is always terrifying. Even standing on the pane of glass looking down from the CN Tower frightens me. I'm actually a huge scaredy-cat.

    Good for you for looking you fear in the face and stepping beyond that comfort zone.
  • Wow. This week has just been an all-you-can-eat buffet for my bucket list. First Wing Suit Base Jumping and now a Zambian swing. This sounds like a once in a lifetime way to take in the scenery.
  • juliadimon
    Wing Suit Base Jumping might be a bit beyond me....you tried it?
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  • That's nuts! I don't think I would have the guts to do that, even with no recorded fatalities. You're brave! I haven't done anything too adrenaline-fueling yet, though walking into a hammam in Istanbul full of naked people was quite intimidating...:)
  • juliadimon
    Breaking out of your comfort zone and pushing beyond can come in many forms. You don't have to necessarily jump off a cliff, right? I'll tell ya....can't be that feeling of adrenaline though :)
  • OMG... this is crazy! I so want to do it! Looks like an amazing place to have an adrenaline rush.
  • Wow, I'm also a bit afraid of heights, but this swing over the gorge looks and sounds incredible!
  • OMG, looks absolutely fantastic!!! Definitely on my list of things to do. Congrats on finding the courage.
  • Earl Schiffke
    Say how was the food in Zambia ?
  • Crazy! But it sounds like so much fun, and you wrote it so well. I'm all about adventure sports (I've gone pretty wild in places like New Zealand with bungy jumping around every corner), but even after having thrown myself off bridges and cliffs a couple of times, it doesn't get any less scary!
  • I think someone would have to push me...
  • Wow! Good for you! :-) I'm such a baby when it comes to heights, but I'm getting braver. :-)
  • joanna_haugen
    No thank you. That sounds terrifying!

    I'm so impressed that you actually jumped. Good for you!
  • Jess
    Bravo! Think you'll take up bungee jumping anytime or base jumping anytime soon?
  • juliadimon
    Nope! I actually really hate heights! It's not normal to throw your body off tall bridges and canyons...but it was such a cool experience that I had to try. I'd like to stay firmly planted on the ground from now on :)
  • Totally against natural instincts.
    How to handle the dissonance!!
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