Tag: KZN rivers

This section is high up before any major tributaries, and is only worthwhile to paddle after good rains.

• Ideal for: Kayak
• Grade: 2 to 3
• Length: 16km
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Type: Continuous=
• Put-in: In Royal Natal National Park, below Tendele lodge, where road comes close to river.
• Take-out: Bridge
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Entrance fee at National Park Read More

This is the best section of the Bushmans River, but seldom paddled as it is not well-known.

• Ideal for: Kayak
• Grade: 2 to low 4
• Length: 19km
• Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Type: Fairly continuous
• Put-in: From Weenen, first dirt road to left without a gate. Drive down about 1km to causeway over river.
• Take-out: Causeway, on the way to Darkest Africa campsite
• Dam controlled: Wagendrift Dam
• Permits: No Read More

This is an interesting section of the Bushmans River, and is becoming a popular section for KZN paddlers.

• Ideal for: K1 and kayak
• Grade: 2 to 4
• Length: 23km
• Duration: 5 to 7 hours
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Next to Weenen road, where it comes close to the river. Private property. Put in at low level bridge.
• Take-out: Take Buys Street out of Weenen, on the northern bank of the river. At the end of the road is a farm, with the road very close to the river. Riverwise it is 200m upstream of the big
• aterfall.
• Dam controlled: Wagendrift Dam
• Permits: Permission from landowners at put-in and take-out

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This is the most often used section of the Bushmans. The 5km course used for the wildwater races starts just below the weir at the put-in. The rapids are not big but fairly technical with short pools between the rapids. K1 races are also held on it, starting from this weir. All rapids can be read from the top; getting out for scouting is not necessary.

• Ideal for: K1, kayak, slalom and wildwater racing
• Grade: 2 to 3
• Length: 20km
• Duration: 3 hours in a K1, 5 to 7 hours in a kayak
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Lamberts Park weir. Drive out of Estcourt over the river. Turn left at the first road just before the Estcourt bacon factory, keep going left on to a dirt road that leads to the weir.
• Take-out: On the road from Estcourt to Weenen. Where the road comes very close to the river, there is a farm that can be used. The farmer is friendly, but first ask permission.
• Dam controlled: Wagendrift Dam
• Permits: Permission for take-out

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This is a very popular stretch for K1 and slalom paddlers. The section is short, merely a practice run for K1-paddlers. Most rapids are small, class 1 and 2, with a few easy class 3 rapids. The flats are a bit long, but the shortness of the section makes it still worthwhile for kayakers to enjoy.

• Ideal for: K1, kayak, slalom, wildwater racing
• Grade: 2 to 3
• Length: 8 km
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours in kayak, 30 to 45 min in K1
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Below dam wall. No direct access from the N3, take road from Estcourt to dam.
• Take-out: Lambert Park camp site in Estcourt
• Dam controlled: Wagendrift Dam
• Permits: Ask permission at entrance to dam

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This is an interesting section for kayakers. It boosts some technical rapids that are all runnable.

• Ideal for: Kayak
• Grade: 3 to 4
• Length: 5km
• Duration: 2 hours
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Where road crosses river
• Take-out: At the campsite just above the dam
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: None Read More

This is another nice section for competent K1-paddlers and intermediate kayakers.

• Ideal for: Kayak, K1, croc
• Grade: 2 to 3
• Length: 18 km
• Duration: hours
• Type: Pool-drop, narrow at places
• Put-in: Just below Zulu Falls, on farm
• Take-out: Bridge
• Dam controlled: Midmar Dam
• Permits: Ask permission at farm

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This is a popular section for K1-paddlers, but it is also worthwhile for kayakers when the water is high.

• Ideal for: Kayak, K1
• Grade: 1 to 2
• Length: 20 km
• Duration: 2 to 4 hours
• Type: Long pools, small rapids
• Put-in: Low-level bridge outside town
• Take-out: Sierra Ranch hotel. Ask for road down to river.
• Dam controlled: Midmar Dam
• Permits: Permission from Sierra Ranch hotel

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The Howick Gorge of the Umgeni River is one of the more taxing stretches in the country with unspoilt mountain scenery, and very reminiscent of Alpine creeks.

Ideal for: Kayak
Grade: 3 to 5
Length: 14km
Duration: 3 to 5 hours
Type: Almost continuous, steep and technical
Put-in: Below Howick Falls. Take the gorge walk down to the bottom of the falls.
Take-out: Turn off to Hilton College from N3. At entrance of College, ask permission and get directions to the Umgeni River picnic site.
Levels paddleable: When dam is overflowing
Dam controlled: Midmar Dam
Permits: Pay for gorge walk (small fee) at put-in. Permission from Hilton College at take out. Read More

This section of the Umgeni River might be a good alternative if your hot-shot buddies run the gorge below Howick and you don’t feel like sitting around the whole day waiting for them. This is not a spectacular section to paddle, but very accessible and good practice if you are in the area.

• Ideal for: Kayak, K1
• Grade: 2 to 3
• Length: 7 km
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Type: Pool-drop, narrow
• Put-in: Below dam wall
• Take-out: Picnic spot above Howick Falls, left bank, just after bridge.
• Levels paddleable: When dam is overflowing
• Dam controlled: Midmar Dam
• Permits: None

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