Visitors to the Free State’s beloved Golden Gate Highlands National Park have always been spoiled for choice, from exploring the prehistoric world of the dinosaurs that once roamed these plains to taking in the Maluti Mountains on horseback or on foot. Now there is a brand-new way to drink in that famous landscape: from the air.
South African National Parks (SANParks) has officially added ziplining to the park’s adventure menu, SAnews reports. Thrill-seekers can now soar across seven cables strung between elevated platforms, with every section of the ride revealing a fresh perspective of the sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and valleys that make Golden Gate one of Mzansi’s most photographed places.
Twenty local jobs, and counting
The new attraction is more than a bucket-list ride. It has already created 20 jobs for residents, with every staff member hired from Clarens and the surrounding Free State.
“We have made sure that we hire staff locally. All our staff are local, from Clarens and the Free State. We want to promote local employment, training and skills development, because all our guides receive specific skills training, certification and first-aid training,” Golden Gate Zipline Director Mika Lutchman told SAnews.
Demand is expected to be strong, and the team is already preparing for it: ten more people are currently in training, a programme that takes between six and twelve months to complete. The zipline is also set to open a new income stream for SANParks and to boost occupancy at Golden Gate’s accommodation, good news for the wider Clarens tourism economy.
Built gently, flown safely
The attraction took about two years to establish, and Lutchman stressed that protecting the park’s natural and cultural heritage guided every decision. Environmental impact assessments formed part of the planning, platforms were built from sustainable wood rather than corroding steel, and the cables were deliberately designed to blend into the mountain scenery.
“It was very important for us to develop a sustainable product, one that is in symbiosis with the environment in which it finds itself. It was important for us not to disturb vegetation or protected species, and not to damage rock,” Lutchman said.
Safety gets the same care as scenery. Visitors ride with professional-grade harnesses and equipment under the eye of trained guides, while strict engineers’ reports, rigger sign-offs and regular certification keep the infrastructure in top condition.
Another reason to visit the Highlands
For a park already famous for its golden cliffs, dinosaur heritage and mountain trails, the zipline adds a jolt of adrenaline to the itinerary, and a reminder that South Africa’s national parks can deliver world-class adventure while putting local people and the environment first.
So next time you find yourself winding through the Free State highlands, look up. That happy shout echoing off the sandstone might just be Mzansi’s newest way to fly.
Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
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