This is one of the most fun adventures our family of 4 has done together - and we've done a few!
A ten minute "training session" is enough to get you comfortable on a Segway. Your guide will teach you the basics on a little course set out on the lawns at the starting point. Start, stop, mount, dismount, forward, back, slalom... within a few minutes, even our youngest (a rather nervous 12 yr old girl) was comfortable.
Off we set, down the road, following the guide. Passing the blase locals and open-mouthed tourists, we trundled past the coffee shops and restaurants, and into the forest. By the time we reached the forest track, everyone has gained confidence, and the vehicles had become second nature. (That said, one of our party fell off twice, trying to do backward circles, or spin in the mud - boys will be boys! - he wasn't injured at all)
The forest is stunningly beautiful and happily the Segways are almost silent, so the peace isn't disturbed. Our guide took us onto little-used tracks and paths, over streams, all the time surrounded by huge trees and ferns.
The hour-long ride was enough for us (there's a 2-hr option too), as it's quite a tiring experience - one must balance all the time, so your muscles are working gently but constantly.
The Segways are such fun to ride. By the time we reached the turning point in the forest, I was wondering how much they cost to buy, and picturing a future where we all used them in place of cars... :)
Definitely worth doing. If you are in the area, don't miss it.
A few tips/pointers:
They provide bottled water to each person, and helmets.
Don't wear flip-flops, you need a shoe that will stay on your foot when you step backwards.
Take a camera, and ask the guide to stop now and then, and take a pic of your group
You need a little bravery to start with, but will quickly be comfortable
Price in Jan 2013 was R285 per person for the 1 hour ride.