Tag: Western Cape Rivers

Molenaars River

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The Molenaars is a favourite river for Capetonian paddlers, as it is easily accessible and close to Cape Town. It boasts continuous rapids and lots of playspots. The N1 runs along the river, spoiling the scenery a bit, but at the same time providing the unique experience for South African paddlers to be watched from passing vehicles. The surrounding mountains still look superb if you ignore the highway.

  • Ideal for: Kayak, croc at low level, raft at higher levels
  • Grade: 2 to 4
  • Length: 7 km from put-in at low-level bridge
  • Duration: 1½ hour, with playing 4 hours
  • Type: Continuous, open
  • Put-in: 1) Below new tunnel at parking place. Put in at low-level bridge. 2) Du Toitskloof resort (support the restaurant/bar after trip).   33°43’20.9″S 19°09’01.0″E
  • Take-out: Before the river disappears between the trees. Leave vehicle at first gate from put-in next to road (N1).
  • Levels paddleable: When water runs over big rock (with concrete on top) in middle of river at resort, don’t attempt if unfamiliar with the river.
  • Dam controlled: No
  • Permits: Permission from resort. Just ask and be friendly.

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Berg River

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The Berg River is well known for the annual Berg River marathon, a gruelling race attracting the cream of the corps of long distance paddlers. The marathon, which is considered to be one of the toughest races in the world, is held over 4 days, covering between 40 and 60 kilometres every day. The river is mostly flat for the whole route, but narrow channels between palmiet bushes, overhanging trees and weirs make it technical enough. At first the river runs through vineyards, then into wheat land, before reaching the drier area of the West Coast. Mountains in the distance, sometimes snow-clad, add to the beautiful scenery.

  • Ideal for: K1
  • Grade: 1 to 2
  • Length: 207 km (course of annual Berg River marathon)
  • Duration: 4 days in annual Berg River marathon
  • Type: Flat, with small rapids on first two days
  • Dam controlled: The last two days, by Misverstand Dam
  • Permits: None

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Witte River

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The Wit (or Witte, as it also has become known) is described by many paddlers as one of the top creeks in the world. It is seriously steep and continuous, with only two or three decent pools on the whole stretch. It is just plainly awesome.

  • Ideal for: Kayak
  • Grade: 4 to 5
  • Length: 8km
  • Duration: 4 to 5 hours with people who know the river, 8+ hours when scouting
  • Type: Continuous creek
  • Put-in: At Bainskloof Lodge (not inside Lodge) at top of Bainskloof pass (also known as Eerste Tol)  33°36’57.9″S 19°06’09.3″E
  • Take-out: Picnic site of CNC on Bainskloof pass (also known as Tweede Tol)   33°33’20.7″S 19°09’06.4″E
  • Levels paddleable: Low when rock in middle of pool at put-in is sticking out. Medium when water is about paddle’s breadth above same rock. High when flat part of rock next to water pipe at put-in is covered. Unrunnable when water reaches bent of water pipe.
  • Dam controlled: No
  • Permits: Yes (CNC)

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Wit Els River

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The Wit Els is one of those special rivers that are very isolated, requires a strenuous hike to reach the put-in and always has potential to convert a trip in an epic.

  • Ideal for: Kayak
  • Grade: 4 to 5
  • Length: 18km
  • Duration: 1 to 2 days
  • Type: Continuous creek
  • Put-in: See text
  • Take-out: Picnic site at confluence with Dwars. It is the only turn-off to the left on the road from Ceres to Wellington.    33°24’60.0″S 19°17’26.9″E
  • Dam controlled: No
  • Permits: Permission for both put-in points

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Dwars River

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The Dwars is a classic pool-drop creek, with the option to walk around the scary stuff. The top five rapids are not recommended for incompetent paddlers, as it features some technical rapids with must make moves and a couple of waterfalls, culminating in a spectacular 9m drop.

  • Ideal for: Kayak
  • Grade: Top section 5, bottom section 3 to 4
  • Length: 7 km
  • Duration: 4 hours
  • Type: Top section pool-drop, bottom section more continuous. Low volume creek.
  • Put-in: Leave vehicle at parking area next to the entrance of the Ceres Nature Reserve. Take footpath that leads along the border of the golf course, over the railway, onto a road to a weir.   33°22’51.1″S 19°18’06.1″E
  • Take-out: Picnic site at confluence with Wit Els. It is the only turn-off to the left, coming from Ceres. The Wit Els is the first flowing river joining the Dwars from the left.   33°24’60.0″S 19°17’26.9″E
  • Levels paddleable: Look at waterfall from last parking area at road. Don’t run the river if it is flooding.
  • Dam controlled: No
  • Permits: None

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Olifants River – Citrusdal

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K1-paddlers use different sections of the Olifants River for practise and racing purposes. This part of the Olifants runs through a beautiful region next to the Cederberg mountain range.

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Doring River

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Flowing through beautiful mini-canyons in the Cederberg, this section is a favourite multi-day trip for both private trippers and commercial rafters. It is often referred to as the Cape’s Tugela, as it provides excellent big water after good rains in the Ceres area. The river cuts through the Great Karoo, providing life to the barren landscape.

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