The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour® takes you on a journey through the ecology and geology of one of the oldest mountain ranges at the world – estimated to be 2,500 million years old.
The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour is located in the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve – 1 ½ hour from Joburg and 1 hour from Pretoria.
Eleven platforms have been built against the cliff and rock faces of the spectacular Ysterhout Kloof, a beautiful gorge carved out of the mountainside, and are joined by long steel cables that you slide along to reach the next platform. Much like a “foefie” slide, the canopy tour essentially involves zigzagging down the kloof while stopping at each platform to admire the expansive views and surrounding ecology.
The Magaliesberg mountains are home to a wide variety of plant, animal, and birdlife – watch out for the shy klipspringer jumping from rock to rock below you or look up to spot an endangered black eagle circling above. Two trained canopy guides assure the safety of each participant while describing interesting facts about the indigenous plants, bird life, ecology and geology of the area.
What to Expect
The Magaliesberg Canopy Tour® experience begins with a thorough safety briefing that covers all the do’s and don’ts of the tour. After the briefing, you will be kitted out with your sliding harness, safety helmet, and sliding gloves. The guides check that harnesses are fitted properly and make final adjustments where necessary. To end the briefing, you are given an opportunity to ask questions.
You are now ready to mount the 4×4 vehicle that will transport you up the mountain, over a distance of approximately 2 kilometers, to the drop off zone near the first platform. Look out for the resident Impala, Blue Wildebeest, Zebra, Duiker and many other indigenous animal, bird, reptile and insect species along the way – it makes the trip so much more exciting and interesting. Disembark, follow your guides on a short walk to the first platform and “let the fun begin”!
The Magaliesberg range is home to a wide variety of plant, bird and animal life. With some luck, you may spot a Duiker or a shy Klipspringer jumping from rock to rock. Look up and you are likely to spot our breeding pair of Black Eagles circling above. Rock Rabbits (Dassies) are abundant and, depending on the time of day, they may be running around playfully or lazing in the sun on an exposed rock. Bring your cameras along as you will find yourself in natural surrounds that you have never or seldom before experienced.
