Pros: Interesting ride over from tiger splash to the zip line, gentlemen offered to take photo of us which was nice. The lead seemed very jovial and made us feel confident in his ways.
Cons: No brakes! This wasn't explained to us when we signed up or when they were going over the instructions. A comment was made that the winds were 45mph and that the zipline goes 40mph before stopping at the landing area. One of the gentleman decided to tether 2 out of 3 of us together, with no explanation. Come to find out, it was because he did NOT have 3 individual people lined up at other side to catch us. He had the photographer and 1 very slim gentleman who was going to try and "brace/catch" two of us. This was not explained to us. Prior to going we were told the only injury they have ever had is from someone getting a splinter on the wooden stairs going up. The lead asked a staff member below if he would like to come up and he said no, he was crazy and that he would never ride that thing. (Comforting...) The ride itself was fast for 2 of us (not for one, who despite following instruction was not able to turn herself from going backwards the whole way which was miserable and terrifying) -- the "landing" was a crash landing and by far the worst part. The photog caught person 1. Person 2 and 3 came in tethered and the 1 gentleman attempted to catch us and lesson the blow of hitting from 40 to 0. Person 2 had immediate stomach pain and the guy designated to catch 2 and 3 unhooked 3 from 2 and went to check on person 2. While doing so, person 3 was drawn backwards on the zipline and away from the landing area, dangling back over the open air. She looked back and saw the lead zip lining fast behind her in her direction. We yelled for the guy who was to catch her that she was "going back out" and he made his way over. We do not how she was pulled back as it was a blur but she raised her which hit upon landing)and her finger was off to the side, swelling and discoloring. The other zipliners were concerned for her well being; but it was a concerted effort on the guy who was to catch to get the requested bag
Of ice and send us on our way. There was a comment made about how they now had to upgrade the injury from splinter to broken finger. Fast forward to surgery. The break required two screws and physical therapy and unfortunately will not be in the same position.
Was a general waiver signed? Sure. But were we made aware there was nothing in place to slow you down? We never should have been tethered together, especially knowing they did it because they didn't have enough staff to catch us. We would have preferred to go one at a time than be injured because one person cannot be expected to catch two people because as you can tell, it did not have a successful ending.
We have since found that there are many places who operate differently. Out of Africa needs to have a breaking system. They need to inform riders what are safe wind speeds.They need to staff enough people to safely help guide in each individual rider. They need to ensure that shorter riders are still able to safely reach the hook to turn, or better yet--have an option to NOT allow the hook to swing backwards if a rider does not want it to as this is offered at other places. If an injury occurs on their watch, they need
to file a report, offer assistance, not simply usher you out of the way of the other riders who are left.
We did reach out to Out of Africa and predator zipline to inform them of the issue, first.
It is our sincere hope that changes will be made to make the experience safer for everyone as this was not firmly stated it would be, when discussed.
EDIT TO ADD:
A formal complaint was filed, would you like proof? It was a legal complaint. There are multiple witnesses and each employee can be named. Perhaps you should be better informed. There is NO braking mechanism for the rider to start to break themselves. The lead said the cable is supposed to slow you down 10 feet out and this did NOT occur. What's worse than the experience if your denial that it occurred and your ignorance of the facts. I will never encourage anyone to do business with you. read more