“There is no certainty, there is the only adventure.”

This wise Instagram quote has found real meaning in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the nation edges out of heavy lockdown, and the economy slowly inches out of hibernation, adventure tourism is taking veritable leaps and bounds in KwaZulu-Natal and holds the key to reopen the KZN tourism industry. While overseas leisure travel is still restricted, domestic travel is on the rise. Many locals are preferring to explore their own backyard themselves – complete with camping and outdoor gear along KZN’s endless stretch of beach, at scenic Drakensberg mountain resorts and the many game parks and nature reserves that also boast five-star accommodation facilities. Adventure travellers can’t sit still for too long. They crave to go hiking, trekking and rafting. And given that the adventure activities happen in large open spaces and on off-beaten paths, this could act as an added advantage to the comeback of this sector. At the same time, all health and hygiene protocols will be in place to ensure the safety of travellers.” Tourism KZN is shouting out that there is nothing like an adventure holiday to get the adrenaline pumping again after months of being cooped up indoors. One of the TKZN advertisements proclaims: “Be adventurous and take the plunge. Experience the ultimate rush with the longest zipline in Africa and the world’s highest gorge swing. Let go of those fears and leap into a thrilling experience! Lake Eland at Oribi Gorge on the KZN South Coast offers the Zip eXtreme – a 1km “straight-down” thrilling ride reaching speeds of up to 160 km per hour. Definitely not for the faint-hearted. River rafting in the ‘Berg, a safari on foot, abseiling down cliffs, diving with the sharks, turtle tracking in iSimangaliso wetland park, scuba diving, tandem skydiving, wildlife safari tours and 4X4 off-road tours – KZN really has it all. And KZN will jump from any height to reclaim the number one spot as a tourism destination.