Arrival at Upington's Airport.
For transferred option: you will be met on arrival and transferred to the base camp for the River Safari. Travelling time - approximately 2.5 hours.
For self-drive option: collect your rental car on arrival at Upington's Airport and drive to the base camp.
You will spend the nights before and after your river trip at the Red Rock River Camp on the banks of the river. Your accommodation is in simple but comfy canvas tents. Your guide will welcome you and chat with you regarding packing arrangements etc. He will also prepare a delicious dinner which you’ll enjoy under the stars at Red Rock River Camp.
We depart from Camp in the morning of Day 2. You will be covering just over 35kms during the trip so there is ample time to relax, take photographs, read your book or explore the camp surroundings. Each trip is run as a self-contained expedition - we carry everything we need and take everything back out again at the end. We make our way down river, choosing a different campsite each night. All you need to provide is your personal gear and a sense of adventure!
Your guide will provide you with a tent, inflatable mattress, pillow and sleeping bag. The guide will set up camp for you each night and prepare delicious sundowner snacks, served with a drink. He will also prepare your dinner, served at table, with a glass of South African wine. During the day, you will have a choice of soft drinks as well as drink mix whilst on river. There is a selection of additional drinks provided during the trip on a cash bar basis (you can settle up when back in camp after the trip). Alternatively, you can provide a list of your drinks of choice (must be done prior to arrival, and for your own account) and your hosts will purchase them on your behalf and make sure they are kept on ice.
The trip starts out with flowing channels and flat water ending with Scorpion Rapid. The following day brings bigger rapids and an evening walk to view the amazing Ritchie Falls. The last day on the river is full of excitement with a challenging portage around the Falls, where everyone gets involved to help carry and lower the boats into the Gorge. After that, ‘42-man hole’, ‘Big Bunny’ and ‘Dolly Parton’ rapids provide the excitement. As you leave the gorge, things mellow out once again and the last section is just a gentle paddle with mountains increasing in size around you.
The group will be met at the take-out and transported back to base-camp to enjoy a final meal around the campfire.
All meals are included, as are qualified guides, boating and safety equipment. Your hosts will provide a detailed kit list and can purchase any missing or hard to find items of your behalf.
Above itinerary may change slightly according to trip, season and water level.
What about ablutions? On the river, your guide will give you a thorough briefing regarding ablution procedures. Generally, you will wash in the river. We usually use the environmentally friendly ‘cat hole’ toilet method (don’t worry – your guide will explain!) but, depending on the season, may also provide a porta-loo.
What do I need to bring? A full kit list will be supplied on confirmation of booking. Remember that whatever you choose to bring will get very dirty so don’t bring your new clothes!
Will my clothes & sleeping bags get wet? There are no guarantees on a river trip but it’s extremely unlikely - you will be supplied with a dry-bag, which will keep your clothes dry even if the bag lands in the water. You can also pack your clothes into black bags inside the dry bags to make sure. Your guides will explain to you the best way to pack your bags. Space is sufficient but limited so don’t bring too much with you.
Can I bring my camera? Yes. Although there can be no guarantees on a river trip, your hosts do provide watertight dry buckets for cameras, binoculars etc. It is also worth considering buying a disposable waterproof camera.
Do I need to be fit? What if I’m not a strong swimmer? Although this is an exciting trip, the distance covered over the three or four days is not very long (about 37kms) so you don’t have to be an athlete to do the trip. A reasonable level of fitness and good health is required, though. Temperatures can be extreme, especially in summer so please bear this in mind. There is no set upper age limit but you should familiarise yourself with what the trip entails and make an informed decision on your ability to participate, based on your own fitness. The general recommendation is a minimum age of 8 years and a maximum of 70. Expectant mothers (up to 4 months along) are welcome. Each client is issued with a PFD (’Lifejacket’) and is instructed on how to handle him or herself in the water, you don’t need to be a strong swimmer but please let us know if you are not confident in the water. There is always the option to walk around rapids you are not happy to do.
Is it difficult to steer the boats? Will I fall out? The rafts used are 2-person inflatable ‘crocs’ that are very stable and easy to paddle, even for beginners. This section of river has lots of fun rapids and a few challenging runs. There is therefore quite a good chance that you’ll have at least one swim! You will be equipped with a PFD (‘lifejacket’) and will have been given instruction on exactly how to behave if you fall out of your boat.
Is it safe? What about if I hurt myself? Whilst there is an inherent element of risk in every adventure, running rivers with our professional guides should not be considered dangerous. The river guides are all trained in First Aid and carry a First Aid kit. It is your responsibility to inform the guides about any allergies or medical conditions you may have and to make sure you have any personal medication with you (e.g. asthma pumps, allergy medication etc.). This trip does take place in a remote wilderness environment where evacuation can be difficult and time consuming but there are plans in place to cope with any emergencies.
What about my drinks? Your hosts provide all meals as well as a sundowner drink and wine with dinner. A selection of other drinks will be available or you can supply a list of soft drinks and beers which will be purchase on your behalf, prior to arrival.
Is the water safe to drink? Generally, the water is clean enough to drink but we use water purification tablets to be on the safe side.
What will the weather be like? In summer (October-April), days are very hot (30-40 degrees) and the nights are also warm. In between seasons, the days are still warm but the nights can be quite cool - a change of warm clothing and a good sleeping bag are required. In winter (June-August), days are warm (20-25 degrees) and nights are cold. The rainy season is late summer and autumn but since this is a semi-arid region, rain is not a frequent occurrence.
What will the meals be like? All meals are prepared fresh on the river and consist of a starter, and a hearty, healthy main course, followed by dessert. Sundowner snacks are also served.
Should I bring snacks? Pre dinner snacks will be served but you may wish to bring a few nibbles for during the day – biltong, nuts and dried fruit work well on river.
Your last morning, head back (transfer or self-drive) to Upington Airport where your trip ends.
