To be more correct, the bungee jump at Bloukrans Bridge is the “highest commercial natural bungee jump in the world,” at 216 meters (709 feet) of free-fall. Rivaled only by the jump in Macau, the tallest overall commercial jump in the world but has regulated speed so that you don’t slam into the building, and Verzasca Dam, 2nd tallest overall, but same idea except not slamming into the dam. This term “commercial” means you could privately go take your own bungee and jump off of something taller, but I don’t have one of those, so this sounded like a nice alternative.
I’ve been searching for something over the past few years that will really get my adrenaline going. I found getting a tattoo to be really thrilling (in fact I went and got three more!), but the feeling of my stomach hitting my throat wasn’t involved.
I like that feeling.
I thought maybe I’d get it by running off a cliff and hurling myself into thin air when paragliding in Nepal, but honestly, it was boring. Yep, boring.
Would bungee jumping give me that feeling I’ve been seeking? That ‘holy-shit-I’m-alive-and-so-in-this-moment’ feeling of plunging face-first towards the ground? There was only one way to find out.
Somewhere around day 12 of the road trip between Johannesburg and Cape Town, Callum (my road trip buddy) and I naturally passed through the town where the jump is located. It seemed a waste of an opportunity not to give it a try.
We talked about it casually in the days leading up to reaching the bridge. I said I’d do it without really thinking about it. One afternoon, as we made our way through relative nothingness on the endless road, I had time to think about it. I started to feel anxiety, blamed it on having too much caffeine (does too much coffee do that to you, too?), and put it out of my mind. I had to forget about it until the moment of launching, or I knew I’d never jump.
What really helped was the music played at the top while we each waited for our turn. It made it feel like a party atmosphere and the employees were all so relaxed, it translated well to the rest of us.
I was oddly emotionless when my turn came. I was trying mentally to be somewhere else, electing not to consider that I was about to defy logic and basic human instinct by taking those steps and jumping off of a bridge. I’d always said I could skydive, but not bungee. If you skydive, someone else does the scary jumping part for you, but with bungee jumping, it has to be you. I always found that to be a terrifying concept.
I’m not sure how or when my mind changed regarding this.
Now I won’t say my heart wasn’t thumping. However the 100% safety record calmed me a bit. As long as I didn’t look down, I was feeling alright.
The initial launch felt surreal. I had been denying it and avoiding it so much that my body only seemed to realize that it was headed with all deliberate speed towards the ground a few milliseconds after the jump. A surge of adrenaline coursed through me and quickly left as I hit the bottom, then reappeared as the elastic brought me back up for another go.
Then, an odd peace came over the whole experience. It felt so freeing to be down there, and the experience was mine alone. It wasn’t what I expected, but it was a welcome feeling.
So basically this is the tallest natural bungee in the world, I’ve done it, and now I can probably stop jumping off of bridges.
Perhaps airplanes should be next!
Stay tuned, I think I’ll go ahead and manifest that.
Have you bungee jumped before? Would you do this one?
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Michelle | Lights Camera Travel says
Oh my God! It’s the one thing I don’t know if I can do. But if you’re gonna do it, you may as well jump off the tallest bloody jump, am I right?!
Kristin says
My thoughts exactly!
Jaime says
Skydived 5 times but never bungee jumped. something about bungee jumping seems more dangerous (and yes I did solo jumps skydiving too!). But after reading this, if I ever find myself at that facility…I just may try it!
Thanks for sharing!
Jaime
Kristin says
I’d love to do a solo skydive!
Jo (The Blonde) says
I don’t know if I would have enough courage to do that. Part of me wants to, but the other part is so scared of heights. I admire you for that jump! You’re my hero 🙂
Kristin says
Aww thank you.
Ed Rex says
Ah, awesome!
I did the 138m bungee jump in Nevis in New Zealand and totally know how you feel!
But kudos for jumping nearly 100m more than me!
Kristin says
Must have been gorgeous
veena says
I went bungee jumping in Nepal – the 2nd highest natural free fall in the world! – 2.5 years ago, and it was hands-down the most thrilling experience of my life. I understand completely that feeling of calm that comes over you once you’re off and away. Your jump looks amazing! It’s definitely something I would love to do again someday.
Kristin says
Where in Nepal was it? Must’ve been beautiful
Laura says
This looks so scary! I’ve never done anything like this in my life so I can’t imagine the feeling. Loved the video!
Eva says
Wow it looks crazy, I hope you got the feeling you wanted out of it! I know what you mean by skydiving being easier, I’m just overcoming my fear of heights and have been contemplating skydiving but not bungee jumping (yet!)
Kristin says
I kind of did, but I definitely think a canyon swing or skydiving would be even better!
Charlie says
I bungee jumped in Queensland. Well, after ten minutes of standing on the edge, trembling and crying, while being coaxed to jump by the staff. Terrifying and rather embarrassing. Never again! You’re a lot braver than me!
Kristin says
If I didn’t jump they just would have pushed me!
Sam says
I think paragliding is the most I’ll ever do. Haven’t done it yet though. Bungee jumping looks painful to me! Like the rope jerks you, and you could break your back or something. Does it hurt?
Vidhi says
I did paragliding at Home which is India.. 🙂 It was quite an experience to do it at Bir Billing which is one of the world’s best sites for paragliding. It was very thrilling & flying in the clouds experience. Would love to bungee jump like you someday! Thanks for sharing.
Kristin says
I would do it again maybe or train to do it myself. Tandem took too much control out and made it boring maybe because there was no risk.
Shiko says
Kristin,you make bunjee jumping off the tallest bridge in the world look so easy!
Kristin says
Haha if I thought about it too much I might not have been able to do it!
Kristin says
Mine sure did too. Tried skydiving last week and I like that a lot more. Maybe give that one a try!
Wayne Seto says
I did the Macau jump in 2008 but having the ability to have an unregulated free fall sounds amazing. I can guess how you were feeling as the Macau jump was my first and only bungee jump in my life. Enjoyed this post. Cheers!
Kristin says
I did a bridge swing at Vic falls a couple months later and liked that better! You get the bungee and then you get to swing and enjoy the scenery after.