Oribi Gorge is a canyon in southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, just west of Port Shepstone, which itself is 120 km south of Durban. Oribi Gorge, cut by the Mzimkulwana river, is the eastern gorge of two gorges that cut through the Oribi Flats (flat sugarcane farmlands) of KwaZulu-Natal.

The western gorge was formed by the Mzimkulu river.

The gorge is approximately 400 metres (1,300 ft) deep, and almost 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) wide at its widest.

Erosion by these rivers have carved out nearly 30 kilometres (19 mi) of spectacular kloofs and crags, covered with subtropical vegetation. In the gorge, the dense forest on the sandstone slopes is home to various small mammals, while the large leguaans excavate their burrows along the riverbanks.

At the base of the cliffs of both gorges the basement rocks are part of the Namaqua-Natal Metamorphic Province, which is over 1000 million years old.

The cliffs themselves are formed by Msikaba formation sandstones deposited by fluvial environment about 365 million years ago. Downstream from the gorges, a large surface mine producing cement from a limestone deposit.

The road through Oribi Gorge was built by Italian prisoners of war.

Do you fancy trying your hand at abseiling? This is an amazing adventure allowing you enjoy spectacular views while still getting an adrenaline rush.

If you are a beginner you can work with a qualified trainer who will show you everything you need to know and take you down step by step. Here you will be abseiling down a 110 meter cliff next to the Lehr’s waterfall and have the opportunity to experience sightseeing with a difference.

Go at your own pace and relish one of the highest abseils in the world. The first section allows you to creep down with your feet against the rocks offering a feeling of stability and security, while the longest section is where the cliff indents and forces a free abseil where you will descend the gorge from a very different angle.

This is an exhilarating experience and one that will be enjoyed by everyone who is brave enough to try it out.

Oribi Gorge derives its name from the oribi, a small antelope that lives in the gorges.