VAAL Galleries Introduction

RIVER OF DIAMONDS AND GOLD

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Go to all the Vaal galleries

Without the Vaal River, Gauteng would perish. But then so would a horde of adventurers and leisure-seekers (of boredom!) because they flock to this liquid jewel of the highveld in search of fun and relaxation. The Vaal is much more varied, scenic, and exciting than most people know or would believe. Where I live at Otters' Haunt on the river 2km from the quaint town of Parys, the Vaal is an island paradise. The river finds its way down a myriad of channels beneath shady trees where vervet monkeys and porcupines lurk. On the river itself, you are sure to see African darters, cormorants, and several species of kingfisher.

RIVER OF THE CRATER

The most remarkable thing about this stretch of river is that it is unique in the world as the only river whose bed and channel has been shaped by a mighty asteroid impact. It is the River of the Crater. Everywhere on the Vaal are signs of its remarkable geomorphology, so join me for a trip and I will point out the features of the Vredefort Dome.

THERE'S GOLD...

It is also, of course, the river of diamonds and of gold. The Vaal has been dredged for gems and even today there are miners further downstream sifting the sands for the glitter of a fast fortune. Where we are, a semi-circle of hills that you will see from the river harbours gold in (thankfully small) quantities. It was to prevent mining companies coming into the Bergland of the Vredefort Dome that local landowners campaigned successfully for the declaration of the area as a World Heritage Site. But those hills are, in fact, an outlier of the Witwatersrand, and quite nearby in Carletonville and Klerksdorp are the really rich gold deposits.

PICK YOUR ACTIVITY

Come paddling! Ask about Vaal River conditions. And browse through the picture galleries below.  Not all of the following have complete photo galleries but you can inquire about them as we know the routes.

Also ask about flyfishing in the wonderfully varied pools, nooks and crannies of the river's islands in front of Otters' Haunt . And if you are the adventurous type, remember there are kayak trips and training, and special club and corporate teambuilding events on the Vaal. There is so much to do in the area, and so many facilities, that you won't go begging.

GALLERIES

Upper Vaal Whitewater (Vaal Dam to Vereeniging)

Be surprised by the tranquil beauty of the Vaal in this area, where factories and houses are still far away. Passing through grasslands below the Dam, the river roars through the Chute and then whips down Vischgat for a memorable end to the day.

Parys Whitewater (Dome descent)

Romp down the exciting rapids that mark the Vaal's exit from the Vredefort Dome's granite core. Rapids are graded 1-2+ or 3. Famous rapids include Big Daddy, Looksharp, Gatsien (all on the half-day trip) and Knucklecrusher and Wally's on the full day trip.

Vaal Bumper Run (Exciting islands channels)

We get in above the golf course then drop over (or walk down) the high weir and the action begins. This trip is not for sissies and we recommend you first get experience on Parys Whitewater (above). It's great sport, involving fast currents, steep drops and technical turns. Rafts and kayaks.

Malachite Canoe Trail (Islands around Otters' Haunt)

Our unique island ecology is the setting for a quiet 2-3 hour paddle. Currents wander beneath trees as we search for otters and listen for fish eagles. Unwind as we probe the island recesses.

Canoe-Dome (Islands around Otters' Haunt)

and Raft-Dome (rapids entering the Bergland)

Did you know that the Vaal River - possibly the world's oldest flowing river course - is intimately connected with the Vredefort Dome? The river has both shaped and been shaped by the blast crater. We do wonderful scientific-cum-recreational tour to introduce you to the River of the Crater.

Vaal Gong-Gong (Barkly West)

Not for the faint-hearted, this is a hell run down some of the trickiest and steepest sections of the Vaal, ending below Gong-Gong Falls. Famous diamond areas such as Waldeck's Plant are passed but our attention is on the river and its challenges. Approved kayakers only.