The Orange River originates from the Lesotho highlands up in the Drakensberg Mountains and meanders through South Africa and the amazing Richtersveld Desert Reserve before it joins the icy Atlantic Ocean. The Richtersveld is a unique desert reserve that shows the signs of old volcanic mountains, the trails of Khoi -San people and the aridness of an unforgiving desert reserve that lives off the Orange River. 50% of the succulent plants are endemic to the region and it is famous for its many semi-precious stones.

We start our Orange River Expedition from our base camp at Vioolsdrift on the banks of the Orange River. Our Base camp provides you with the necessary comforts like safe parking, hot showers, flush toilets, grassy campsites, bar facilities and safe lockup storage for personal belongings. Your friendly Guides will brief you with the Expedition details around an open fire whilst preparing a delicious BBQ. We are showered with the stars of the Richtersveld on an open-air camping experience that awaits us.

We have a final briefing after breakfast and organise the final packing of our equipment and supplies to be prepared for our expedition. Our expedition starts with the launching of our rafts and we say farewell to our base camp for the next few days. We will be camping on the banks of the Orange River under the stars of the southern hemisphere. (Tents are optional.)

Equipment & Guides

We make use of 2-man inflatable Rafts (crocodiles) with cooler box, dry bags, Buoyancy aids and 2 paddles included. The inflatable rafts are easy to control and allows for a safe guiding through the fast flowing rapids that we occur on our expedition. Two qualified river guides, equipped with the necessary experience will guide your expedition through the Richtersveld desert Reserve. No previous experience is needed and only a moderate level of fitness is required.

All remains and rubbish will be carefully transported on the river and brought back to the camp where we do recycle and transport the remains to Springbok. No Glass allowed on the river. When you bring supplies, please decanter in plastic bottles or use cans.

Expedition

The next few days are spent on the Orange River where we will explore this magnificent desert eco system. Our guides will take us through some fast flowing water and guide us with knowledge and experience to ensure our enjoyment of this magnificent River. You will have the opportunity to experience some wave surfing, rapid floating, hiking and even fishing that provides fun for everyone.

We will encounter from fast flowing water to still water where we will relax, swim and have time to admire the beautiful gorges and scenery. The expedition is not a race and along with our carefully planned route and itinerary it allows us to have maximum time to complete our expedition.

We have 12 years of experience of Orange river canoe expeditions, more than 7500 clients have done the Orange River expedition .We have designed our adventure to be as natural as possible. Our tours classify you as an adventure traveller and not a tourist.

Orange River / Gariep River : offers an ideal riverrafting , canoeing & kayaking venue for the whole faimly . The ultimate family river trip in South Africa .