Orlando Towers, an old, disused power station just off the highway in Orlando, a suburb of South Africa’s iconic township, Soweto, has recently become a hub for all adrenalin junkies. The stations two cooling towers, which push up 100m into the African sky, have become a familiar part of Johannesburg’s skyline since they were built.
Painted with huge, colourful African murals in attempt to brighten up the drab concrete, the old station recently got a new lease of life when they were fitted out to enable both adrenalin junkies and urbanites alike to experience a few seconds of free fall above Soweto’s skyline. The towers are in the same neighbourhood as the stadium that will be hosting both the opening ceremony and the final match of the 2010 FIFA Football World Cup
Orlando Tower’s Facelift
The two huge towers, which are both hollow inside, have been connected with a sky bridge which forms the launch platform for those who choose to bungee from these towers. The western tower has been fitted with mine elevator, which is on the outside of the tower. This lift can fit up to twenty passengers, and affords visitors and staff alike a speedy way up the 100m towers. The western tower has a gangplank that extends half way across the width of the tower, allowing visitors to get unique view into the very bowels of this gigantic cooling tower.
Activities at Orlando Towers
The towers cater for almost all urges that adrenalin junkies may have. The bungee jump, from the sky bridge between the two towers is the most popular, and definitely one of the most nerve wracking. Various other options are available though, one of which is unique to Orlando Towers. Visitors can jump into the western tower, and swing inside the massive concrete structure.
Additionally, one can abseil from the 100m lip of the tower, or one can choose to face their fears, and rap-jump (abseil face first) back towards the ground. Experienced climbers and base jumpers may also use the towers to climb on, or to parachute off, however, permission does need to obtained from Orlando Towers before arriving on site. Group rates are available, and visitors should enquire about Friday night jumps, where in addition to doing the activities in the dark, a variety of other specials are on offer.
Other Activities Close to Orlando Towers
The towers are close to a variety of other Johannesburg attractions. Soweto township tours are extremely popular, and the Hector Pieterson Memorial is close to the towers. In addition, both the Apartheid Museum and Gold Reef City Amusement Park and Museum are 15 minutes away, with the Johannesburg CBD a further 5 minutes away.
John Harman - I'm a native South African, Rhodes University graduate with a Masters Degree in Economics, traveller, runner, part time writer and red ...
Join the Conversation