Slagboom Dam

In 1920 the South African Railways acquired a portion of the farm Good Hope in extent 661 morgen, situate in the district of Uitenhage, with a view to providing a storage dam in the valley of the Witterivier, from which to supply Coerney station with water for steam locomotives. Because of the high cost of damming the river and piping the water all the way to Coerney, a distance of some 15m, the scheme was shelved.
    The proposal lay dormant until 1946 when it was revived, no doubt due to the greater water demands resulting from more frequent and heavier trainloads. In that year portion 11 of the farm Slagboom, situate just downstream of the farm Good Hope, was acquired. It measured approximately 318 morgen. Originally the farm Slagboom (Uit.Q.4.90) was granted to Jacobus Johannes Scheepers on 11 October 1820.
    This land presented a very good dam site. In 1951 the dam wall was completed, the storage capacity being 477 million litres. The water area of the dam covers some 10ha. In 1953 the water supply scheme was augmented by doubling the pipeline and the reservoir.
    Water was pumped through a 550m long pipeline to two high level reservoirs. From that elevation the water gravitated all the way to Coerney station along a twin main, 11.3km long. The pipeline route was situated within a servitude crossing 13 farms. The owners of five of these farms applied for and were granted a supply of 18 000 litres of water per month. The Addo Elephant Park obtained water from the same source.
    During the second half of the 1960's diesel traction was gradually introduced on the Cape Midlands mainline, thereby diminishing the importance of Coerney as a watering point for steam locomotives.
 
    The origin of the name is given by Thomas Pringle in his "Narrative of a Residence in South Africa". He writes: "Many years ago, before the Caffres were dispossessed of this part of the country and finally driven over the Great Fish River, the chief Kongo and his clan occupied the White River Valley....in great force.
    "During one of the struggles which ensued, in consequence of Kongo's attempt to maintain himself....in this district, a party of seventy or eighty boors were sent to occupy this glen....The boors rode in without opposition through this pass, but finding the enemy stronger than they expected, they become alarmed and attempted to retreat by the same road. The Caffres, however, who on this occassion showed themselves not destitute of military skill, had, in the meanwhile, blocked the narrow path by stretching a large tree across it near the centre, and fastening it with thongs and wattles at either end; and then stationing themselves in strong bands among the copsewood, they attacked the boors on all sides as soon as they had fairly re-entered the defile with showers of javelins, and slew a great number of them before they were able to force a passage through. From this catastrophe the spot obtained the name of the 'Slagboom' or 'Toll-bar'."

Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame

Adrenalin Addo

Adrenalin Addo

About a year ago, Ryan and Katie Tayler-Smith invited locals to soar through the skies, over our flowing Sundays River at their new enterprise, Adrenalin Addo. Africa's Longest Double Zip Line and Giant Swing awaited us!

With butterflies fluttering in my tummy, nervous giggles and much curiosity, a few friends and I arrived to a warm welcome and reassuring smiles.

Zip Line and Giant Swing

A lovely walk up the cliff followed with great explanations on the local area, history, vegetation and old fossils. Upon climbing the tower, I lost myself in the view of the Sundays River Valley. How did the original Settlers ever find their way here? What blood, sweat and tears has it taken to develop this beautiful Valley? What amazing stories of hardship, perseverance, joy and fellowship flow through this area. I was brought back to reality with a jangling of equipment and radio controls beckoning the next zip-liners! With jelly legs we stepped up to the platform, tested our kit and let goooooooo. What a rush! It was all over far too quickly, I just wanted to go again! I would have loved to have zipped with a go-pro to relive the experience!

Next was the Giant Swing. Well, I have to admit that I got hoisted up and couldn't actually go through with it. HOWEVER, I returned recently and can claim that it is belly-droppingly fantastic! A combo of the both MUST be done by all.

I only had to recently read a Tripadvisor comment to feel the excitement again:

“Geezers Zippity Do Dah, too!”

5 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 March 2015

We had a great time at Adrenalin Addo. The staff fitted us with our equipment very carefully, with safety their top priority. As we hiked up the steep rocky hill to the tower, Bianca taught us about plants and fossils as we passed, thereby allowing me to start breathing normally again. I am 71 yrs and asthmatic, but have done bungee jumps, tech. mountain climbing, and parachuting in the distant past. It was evident the equipment was excellent, and our guide was very well trained and personable. Bianca did mention that an 82 year old person had done the Zip Line as had a four year old child. If that wasn't incentive enough, our grand daughter (who did not choose to jump) had told her entire school class that grandma would be doing a Zip Line. So Bianca counted 3, 2, 1,........and we did not jump. It was just such a big first step. Then I thought I'd try sitting down on the edge. The equipment held me, and off we both went. 
What fun! And very safe. And affordable. We highly recommend you all do it!
Even Geezers like us. - Janet and Tim

It's wonderful that Addo is seriously adding value to the Eastern Cape's "Adventure Capital of South Africa". We proudly lay claim to Crisscross Adventure Company and Adrenalin Addo, among other smaller adventures and events happening throughout the year.

Addo Tourism on Adrenalin Addo
Crisscross Adventure Package deal with Adrenalin Addo
FireFly YouTube video 

Chrislin's Ground Staff

Oscar, seen above is never without this beaming, beautiful smile. David and his team work tirelessly behind the scenes, making our guests' stay at Chrislin African Lodge as peaceful, natural and tranquil as possible. Thank you guys!