{"id":1007,"date":"2013-08-22T14:52:17","date_gmt":"2013-08-22T14:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.riverraftingtrips.co.za\/?p=170"},"modified":"2021-07-30T16:20:36","modified_gmt":"2021-07-30T16:20:36","slug":"river-rafting-orange-river-gorge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/riverraftingtrips.co.za\/river-rafting-orange-river-gorge\/","title":{"rendered":"Orange River Rafting -The Orange River Gorge"},"content":{"rendered":"

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River Rafting! One for the Bucket list.<\/h3>\n

Each person has his own idea of a bucket list \u2013 perhaps it is no surprise that most have some \u201coutback\u201d camping\/hiking\/rafting expedition on such a list.\u00a0 <\/span>I for one must admit it\u2019s a worthy point to put on your bucket list.\u00a0 <\/span>Having experienced the Lower Orange River in a rafting expedition for the first time last year I admit that this wasn\u2019t even on the list till I did it\u2026.. lol<\/p>\n

\"SA<\/p>\n

It is, therefore, no surprise that our guides decided to run a section of the lower Orange River again this year with the intent of running small exclusive trips in the future.<\/p>\n

\"Rafting<\/p>\n

In this Blog, I am basically only capturing the highlights of this experience. A description of the whole experience would be thicker than a book and not a blog post. Lol<\/p>\n

Join us on our next Orange River Trip<\/a><\/p>\n

White Water on the Orange River<\/h1>\n

Day one consisted of a meet and greet at Onseepkans. Later that afternoon we started with our 5-day journey down a section of the Orange River \u201cI would like to think this section has the best to offer \u2013 best scenery \u2013 best camping spots \u2013 unspoiled \u2013 remote \u2013 plenty of fishing spots \u2013 lots of wildlife activity (no other human contact once on the river) which is very important – a nice mix of flat and fast water to cater for every person’s individual needs or experience.<\/p>\n

As the sun sets over the Orange River we find the most idyllic spot to camp for the first evening. The fish activity around us in the water was evident with the constant breaching and the last sunlight catching the silhouettes of the fish as they pierce through the water.<\/p>\n

\"Sunset<\/p>\n

The Chefs \/ Guides grab the last bit of sunlight to prep for dinner and over a nice cup of coffee we discuss the day’s experience and later our conversations wander off to any and everything\u2026.\u00a0 <\/span>Needless to say after a good helping of dinner (a menu fit for a king) and plenty of conversation everyone sets off to their tents for the night. Our first easy 5 km paddle for the day was now a thing of the past and with much enthusiasm, I was looking forward to the next section.<\/p>\n

\"Orange<\/p>\n

The tone was set for what was to become for the guests as it had been for me on my first trip down this section of river \u2013 \u201cLife-Changing\u201d and most importantly a tick off the bucket list.<\/p>\n

Orange River Gorge<\/h2>\n

On day 3 we reached the Orange River Gorge \u2013 Probably the most spectacular spot and camp sight on the Orange River. The site overlooks the Gorge and with a drop of +- 60 Meters the water cuts the rock below the camping sight. One cannot help but wonder around with your jaw open as the water rushes through the rocks from the top to the bottom of the Orange River Gorge.\u00a0 <\/span>This has been water vs rock battle long before the first humans walked the earth. The most amazing thing is that in the Gorge you feel like the only humans on earth. The Gorge is only accessible from the South African side by foot or raft and the site remains unspoiled.\u00a0 <\/span>As the sun sets one can\u2019t help but think that no photograph can justify the full contest of this unique life experience.<\/p>\n

\"orange<\/p>\n

Later that night after dinner we carefully descended into the Gorge in search of the Monster fish lurking below. That evening we caught a number of Barbel (Catfish) late into the night or early morning but the Monster Fish we searched far evaded us. That is till our next encounter of course.\u00a0 <\/span>What we caught we released and I hope they don\u2019t warn the Monster of our methods as next time he might not be so lucky.<\/p>\n\n\t\t