Katanga Canyon
Entering Katanga Canyon, you are taken down a long winding path flowing upstream alongside a roaring river, with dense trees and plants completely isolating the area from the rest of the park.
This African mining village is built on an island surrounded by Congo River Rapids. There are bridges at both ends, allowing guests to enter from either Mutiny Bay at one end or Gloomy Wood at the other, crossing a bridge that passes over the tunnel shared by the area's two rides.
The chiming of a bell indicates the Runaway Mine Train is on it track, shortly before it roars overhead, transporting guests through the abandoned mines of Africa. Elsewhere, look out for the abandoned Land Rover of a rather unfortunate explorer.
Area History
Katanga Canyon was developed in 1992 alongside Gloomy Wood to house the new Runaway Mine Train, taking over the corner of Aqualand occupied by the Grand Canyon Rapids. The area was built on the island formed by the rapids and the ride received a thorough re-theme to fit in, with its old entrance path becoming the main area access.
Since its opening, the area has seen remarkably little change, other than the addition of the Katanga Cargo Games unit in 2007, which itself replaced a very short-lived putting challenge.
