Vioolsdrif, South Africa
Local legend says the Orange River is domicile to a mysterious monster that’s been eating people as well as livestock for 2000 years. Would rafting it go safe?
Tales of the dreaded Orange River Monster weren’t going to halt me from rafting downwards this unique oasis of life inward the pump of a desolate desert environment. Richtersveld National Park is located inward the Northern Cape, South Africa’s largest as well as to the lowest degree populated province.
While parts of the river tin lav instruct rough, our route would transcend through relatively tame H2O along the journey. However for approximately inward the group, this was a scary prospect, every bit it was their real starting fourth dimension river rafting experience.
But our guides January & Sass from Umkulu Adventures had everything nether control.
Orange River Rafting South Africa
I teamed upwardly amongst Kash from Budget Traveller who was slightly nervous close the rafting (because he can’t swim). Lucky for him I used to go a lifeguard!
We loaded upwardly our footling inflatable ii individual boat as well as pushed off into the river amongst kayak paddles, hoping to avoid a watery conk at the hands of the notorious Monster.
Home to the indigenous Nama people, this rocky dry out landscape surrounding the river is a mix of red, brown, as well as orangish hues — except for the banks, where patches of greenish vegetation are able to thrive.
Floating past times massive sandstone cliffs as well as pocket-sized river islands, nosotros occasionally stopped to balance or accept photos. The surroundings hither is actually special. I’d never seen a river inward the pump of a desert before, permit lone raft downwards it!
Hunting For Diamonds & Rubies
The Orange River has a long history of producing gemstones similar rubies, tiger’s eye, as well as fifty-fifty diamonds, as well as therefore nosotros sifted through the riverbed hoping to uncovering approximately treasure.
In fact South Africa’s starting fourth dimension diamond, the 21 carat Eureka Diamond, was discovered past times a immature man child on the river’s banking concern inward 1867, eventually helping to choose close South Africa’s famous diamond rush at Kimberly.
Unfortunately no diamonds or rubies were institute on our trip, only Kash did handle to dig upwardly approximately Tiger’s Eye, a semi-precious stone.
Illegal Border Crossing
Because the Orange River marks the edge betwixt ii countries, South Africa was on our left as well as Namibia on our correct every bit nosotros paddled along. I started getting ideas…
How many people tin lav state they’ve swam from i province to another?
Melvin, Heather, Meruschka, Caspar as well as I hatched a innovation to swim from South Africa to Namibia. H5N1 slightly questionable edge crossing without passport stamps! As long every bit the Orange River Monster didn’t instruct us, everything should go fine. Right?
Exploring The Northern Cape
Our swim was a success! However the journeying to Namibia was curt lived, as well as nosotros chop-chop swam dorsum to our tents on the South African side at The Growcery Camp where they were cooking upwardly a delicious traditional South African Braai BBQ on an opened upwardly fire.
My Orange River rafting sense was a memorable one, as well as nosotros alone scratched the surface of South Africa’s Northern Cape territory. It’s a huge expanse amongst a lot to come across as well as produce — as well as i of the to the lowest degree visited parts of the country.
Just beware the Orange River Monster, it’s e'er hungry as well as enjoys the gustation of tourists. Or as well as therefore I hear. ★
Location: Vioolsdrif, South Africa
Accommodation: The Growcery
Company: Umkulu Adventures
Cost: R395 ($36 USD) half-day rafting
Packing Guide
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Disclaimer: My trip was made possible inward partnership amongst iAmbassador as well as South Africa Tourism.
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