Canoeing, Kayaking, River Rafting and White Water Canoeing in South
Africa
Canoeing, kayaking, white water rafting, surf paddling – whatever
your craft, South Africa offers big, fast rivers, lakes, dams
and of course the magnificent Indian Ocean to satisfy your hunger for
adventure.
The Umkomaas, Umzimkulu, Mooi, Umgeni, Umkomaas, Thukela, Buffalo and Pongola
rivers flow across the KwaZulu
Natal from the high Drakensberg
Mountains to the sea providing challenges aplenty for rafters and canoeists.
For the wilderness enthusiasts the lakes of Maputaland,
Lake St Lucia,
Lake Sibaya and
the Kosi system allow
paddlers to share the water with wildlife such as hippo and crocodile. There
are also dozens of dams across the Kingdom, many of which are set in nature
reserves with camping and accommodation facilities.
The long coastline stretching from Kosi
Bay in the north to Port
Edward in the south is ideal for surfskis and sea kayaks, windsurfers or
fishing skiboats. A fast growing activity is fishing from one-man surfskis which
are locally manufactured and specially adapted to the sport.
Canoeing in KwaZulu Natal South Africa
Once again there are dozens of paddle-able rivers, and a number of popular
canoe marathons, namely the 50 Miler on the Umsindusi and Umgeni Rivers
(December) the Dusi Canoe Marathon (January), the Drakensberg Challenge on
the Umzimkulu (March), the Umkomaas Marathon (February) and Tugela
Marathon (March). Overnights are spent camping on the banks of the rivers.
- Dlangala reservations
Situated in the Umkomaas Valley 45 min from Pietermaritzburg
and 90 min from Durban.
Ideal for birders, school groups and adventurers. They use inflatable arc
canoes, easy to paddle craft.
Contact: Dlangala
Reservations
River Rafting in KwaZulu Natal South Africa
This is a popular activity, especially in the rainy season when rivers are
full. White water rafting is done on all the major rivers, including the upper
Thugela (near Weenen), the Umkomaas near Hela Hela and further upstream near
Bulwer, and the Buffalo
(access from Dundee).
- 180 Degrees Adventures
180 Degree Adventures is an adventure company dedicated to provide unique
experiences amidst the splendour of Africa's great wilderness.
Contact: Brad Pearse/Xavier
031 3122970/082822699
E-Mail: 180
Degrees Adventures
- Bushmans River Tourism Association
White River Rafting is offered by guides on either the Bushmans River
(a two hour, scenic trip on rubber craft) or along the Tugela
River (a number of tour operators offer river rafting trips down the Thukela
and Bushman Rivers.)
Contact: Bushmans
River Tourism
- Dlangala reservations
Spend a day you will never forget, take up the challenge and ride
the river, enjoy the spectacular scenery and remoteness of the Momma's
Valley. Guided half and full day rafting trips are offered, overnight
accommodation is available at one of the resorts or bush camps in the
wilderness area. The guides are professionals and trained. The equipment
is state of the art, Zambezi rafts, croc inflatable canoes, life jackets
and helmets are provided.
Contact: Dlangala
reservations
- Oribi-X-Treme
Oribi Gorge,
near Port Shepstone
Highest commercial abseil in the world - 130m. White water rafting,
tubing (black water) hiking trails, team building packages, sports &
adventure tours, accommodation available.
Contact: Oribi-X-Treme
White Water Canoeing/Kayaking
A kayak safari through the four interlinked Kosi lakes to the Kosi Bay
mouth is a unique wilderness experience. You can see hippo, flamingos,
fish eagles and rare palm nut vultures, and paddle between the hand-made
reed fish traps set up by the local community. Kosi mouth is a great place
to finish with excellent snorkelling, fishing and hiking.
White water kayaking is a rapidly growing sport with a new section opened
on the Buffalo river near Dundee. There are easy sections for beginners
and tough sections for experienced adrenaline junkies.
- Dlangala Reservations
Situated in the Umkomaas Valley 45min from Pietermaritzburg
and 90min from Durban.
Ideal for birders, school groups and adventurer's. They use inflatable arc
canoes, easy to paddle craft. South Africa's finest stretch of commercial
white water - the awesome Hella Hella to 'Numba Ate'. Grade 3,4 and 5
rapids that technically tests the paddler's abilities to negotiate the
mighty river are strewn along a 24km water wilderness - if you're an
adventurer this trip is a must. They are also the only experienced operation on
this stretch of water.
Contact: Dlangala
reservations
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