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THE WILD & SCENIC VAAL
Age-old river of diamonds,
gold and adventure
Pick your river trip: options range from
exciting whitewater rafting to easy flatwater paddling among the islands.
Select your Route below
INTRODUCING THE VAAL
The water of the Vaal, or
Lekwe (Lekoa) River is stained by local vegetation to be a
greenish colour, but in summer, after rains, it can run very
brown. Despite its reputation as an industrial sluice it is,
in reality, a beautiful and varied watercourse - and it has
played an important role in delivering the country's mineral
wealth, both diamonds and gold.
I've been
paddling the Vaal since I was a kid. It's great recreational resource, and very close to
Johannesburg. The Vaal is South Africa's most visited canoeing and whitewater
river - and no wonder. Around Parys, in the Vredefort Dome crater, the river passes
through bushy islands with wonderful mountain scenery in the
distance. The aerial photo taken of our section of the Vaal shows just how many
islands there are: an estimated 300 at least.
The islands are utterly
unique on our planet because of the way they were formed.
The Vaal has been shaped by, and has helped to shape, the
Vredefort Dome - the world's oldest and largest visible
blast crater, thought to have been caused by a meteorite
some 2020 million years ago (nearly half the age of the
Earth). If you want to read more about this fascinating
river, go here.
PADDLING
OPTIONS
You can enjoy a peaceful half-day or full-day canoeing
among the Islands, or flyfishing
among the many hidden channels. You can also indulge in a fast, exciting whitewater
rafting trip. There are also other trips on the Upper and Lower Vaal, and
multi-day trips with camping or lodge stopovers. Rates on inquiry.
About Vaal flows and Grading
Trip Rates
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RAPIDS |
FLATWATER |
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 WHITEWATER
RAFTING PARYS
Grade 1-2+ rapids
Half day or full day |
 MALACHITE CANOE
TRAILS
Placid water
Malachite trail
2-3 hours
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From Otters' Haunt
itself or from further downriver, we raft through the famous rapids
of Big Daddy, LookSharp, Theatre and Gatsien on the half-day trip.
The full day takes in lunch and we can come all the way from the
Golf course in Parys to KommandoNek, a day packed with action. Lunch
on full day is optional.
Photos. |
Starting from our front lawn
we weave along island channels. Willows and acacias overhang the
streams, and we may catch sight of a family of otters, or hear the cry
of the Fish Eagle. We creep up on
Darters sunning their wings. We paddle and walk to see Dome features.
Photos. |
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 VAAL
BUMPER RUN
Grade 2-3+ rapids
Half day |
 CANOE-DOME
TOUR
Placid water
Half day
Expert Dome guide |
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This route, pioneered in
2008 by Riverman, is very challenging and not for sissies. From the
high weir above Golf Course island we run downriver through tight
channels, over drops and under shady trees. Though not huge, the
rapids are thrilling and capsizes can be expected. The route cannot
be run at very low or very high water.
Put your name down. Photos. |
The Canoe-Dome combines my
popular
Vredefort Dome briefing and walk-n-talk with a peaceful canoe
trip and it is one of the best ways of seeing the features without
having to hike or drive! We start
with a map presentation and something on the planetary science of the
Dome, then paddle forth. Melt rock and island geology are revealed for what
they are.
Photos. |
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 RAFTING UPPER VAAL
Grade 1-3 rapids
Full day with lunch
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 FLOAT
'N FLYFISH
Grade 1-2 rapids
Full day with lunch & expert
flyfishing guide
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Below Vaal Dam the river is
quite narrow and channelled between grassy banks. We immediately run a
"waterfall" weir and head for the black polished rocks of The Chute.
Lunch is taken on the beach. From there to the biggest rapid, Vischgat,
is good exercise, a warm-up rewarded with great whitewater.
Photos. |
By popular demand we
have introduced this speciality river trail. It's aimed at beginner to
intermediate flyfishers who want training and advice on techniques and
equipment. You float downriver with the guide and stop at spots where
the fish are known to lurk.
Enquire. |
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 KAYAKING
GONG-GONG VAAL
Grade 3-5 rapids
2 days
Intermediate kayakers |
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Not for the faint-hearted,
this stretch of river below Barkly West is an epic of fast rapids, tight
turns, drops and dangerous undercuts and weirs. Kayakers only, and then
you must be proficient. We arrange the guide and organise camping before
and after. It's an extraordinary run, do-able only at medium to high
water.
Photos. |
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