The Bloukrans bridge in the Tsitsikamma area (South Africa), is an impressive structure. Constructed between February 1980 and June 1983, the bridge stands at a height of 216m above the Bloukrans River. Its central span is 272m and the bridge is 451m in length in total (Wikipedia).
The primary function of the bridge is as a road bridge carrying the N2 national road over the Bloukrans gorge. But naturally where there is a high structure, there are people who want to jump off it. For fun. It is the world’s highest commercial bridge bungy at 216 metres (709 ft) above the Bloukrans River (Wikipedia). And no, neither Willie or I have jumped off it.
You can click on any of the photos to enlarge them.
The amazing Bloukrans Bridge. Named after the Bloukrans river which you can see as a dark ribbon at the bottom of the gorge. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
I spy . . . YES, that little yellow and red flag is what you think it is! That’s if you watch The Amazing Race. The next series is currently being filmed with a part of the race being in South Africa. The day that Willie drove by, the crew of The Amazing Race were setting up one of the challenges there. Of course, Willie being a fan, couldn’t resist turning off to see what was happening. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
The Bloukrans Bridge Bungy poster. The last warning of how insane it is to jump off a high bridge. And if you’re not nervous enough already, the restaurant has a live feed of the jumpers in action, so you’ll have an audience. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
So what you do to get to the centre of the bridge is to climb down to where the bridge arch meets the cliff and then you scramble up the bridge arch to the centre. Only kidding! There is a very safe, enclosed walkway running under the bridge so that you’ll at least get to the bungy operation without killing yourself. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
The Bloukrans Bridge Bungy is operated by a company called Face Adrenlin. The name says it all. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
Buuunnngeee! One brave soul takes the leap into nothingness. To the left a little way below the bridge hangs the guy who will come and retrieve (or rescue!) him. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
Another jumper being winched up after a jump. ©WMB/notesfromafrica.wordpress.com
And now for the movie!
For another type of extreme adventure which you can experience in the same area, see A zip-line adventure: How to scare your team into bonding.
The Otter Trail crosses the mouth of the Bloukrans River. To see more of this spectacular trail, read the post Go Take a Hike: Here Be Dragons.
Notes from Africa 
What wonderful lessons are arriving in my box! Fascinating knowledge, but the bungee jumpers can have it: sugar, I cannot see the why and wherefore! Actually watched about 6-7 years of ‘Amazing Race’ and, suddenly, the desire wore off!! SO – a marvellous piece of engineering of which I was not aware: thank you!!
I also don’t understand why people throw themselves off structures willingly!
My legs tingled just looking at the photos! I’d be hard pressed to cross it…
I have a fear of heights, so there is no way I’d walk out to the middle, let alone jump off the bridge!
An impressive structure. I never understood how people get up enough nerve to bungy jump. Just watching the video makes me nervous!
The advertisement for the bungy group says, “Slide it.” I wonder what that means. Maybe I don’t want to know!
I know, the video got to me too! I was wondering about the “slide it” too. Maybe people slide off, instead of actively jumping?
No way would I do this… quite apart from the risk of damaging your spine and internal organs etc. So did Willie see them actually filming the Amazing Race, or were they just setting up?
That’s exactly what I keep on thinking – stretching your spine and organs can’t be a great idea. Especially as it’s done with a sharp jolt, and not gradually. Willie was driving between meetings, so couldn’t stop for long. I think he was there just before lunch and the Amazing Race competitors were only due in the late afternoon.