Tag: KZN rivers

The Umkomazana is one of the major tributaries to the Umkomaas. A trip down this stretch is a pleasant paddle with excellent scenery, suitable for kayaks and crocs. Competent K1-paddlers can also enjoy this stretch at a low level if they are prepared to portage some of the rapids.

• Ideal for: Kayak, croc
• Grade: 2 to low 4, 5 at high level
• Length: 16km
• Duration: 3 to 5 hours, depending on water level
• Type: Pool-drop mountain stream
• Put-in: Bridge between Himeville and Netherby
• Take-out: Bridge between Bulwer and Impendle
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: None

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The Nzinga is a nice continuous small river with not too much of a gradient. It is a small tributary to the Umkomaas with a small catchment area. It is quite a long stretch to paddle and only worthwhile at a high level. You will probably be able to manoeuvre through the tree-blocks, but keep your eyes open as treeblocks do change with time. Put in right after Nzinga Falls and enjoy the ride. The rapids are interesting and require lots of manoeuvring, but are not scary.

• Ideal for: Kayak
• Grade: 3 to 4
• Length: 24km
• Duration: 4 to 6 hours
• Type: Continuous, small creek
• Put-in: Bridge
• Take-out: Bridge
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: None

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Imagine a grade 3 rapid situated between awesome Drakensberg peaks. This rapid goes on for 17km, non-stop. That’s the Loteni for you. No pools (okay, maybe one) and only a few eddies to catch. If you have the nerves for a river so continuous, enjoy the ride. On the way down a few waterfalls from small tributaries in the surrounding mountains are visible, adding to the magical experience of the trip. The greater part of this major tributary to the Umkomaas is situated in the reserve, so the surroundings are very unspoilt.

• Ideal for: Kayak, croc
• Grade: 3
• Length: 17km
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Type: Continuous, non-stop mountain stream
• Put-in: Loteni nature reserve. Follow road past chalets, walk down to river where road gets closest to it.
• Take-out: Low level bridge where road to reserve crosses river.
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Loteni Nature Reserve

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This used to be the best kept secret of the Umzimkulu River. The valley is deep with unspoilt vegetation for most part, with many exciting rapids to enjoy. There are no cliffs to overcome in the case of a mishap, but the hills are still steep, making the valley a bit isolated. It feels very remote once you are in it, adding to the experience.

• Ideal for: Kayak, croc, raft, wildwater racer
• Grade: 3 to 4
• Length: 15km
• Duration: 3 to 5 hours
• Type: Pretty continuous
• Put-in: Farm at horseshoe bend. Take turn-off to Rock of Gibraltar. Stay left when dirt road splits.
• Take-out: Limeworks
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Permission from farmer at put-in. Contact Oribi Gorge Hotel to arrange access. Permission at Limeworks for take out.

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This is one awesome stretch to paddle. It is strictly for competent kayakers, as the river is very isolated with no proper access to the river in between the put-in and take-out points. The surroundings are naturally untouched and the rapids are big when not bordering on scary.

• Ideal for: Kayak
• Grade: 3 to 5
• Length: 110km
• Duration: 3 to 5 days
• Type: Pool-drop, few continuous sections and some major rapids
• Put-in: Umzimkulu
• Take-out: Farm at horseshoe bend. Take turn-off to Rock of Gibraltar. Stay left when dirt road splits.
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Permission from farmer at take out. Arrange with Oribi Gorge Hotel.

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A good section for K1-paddlers, and an annual race is held on it. It boasts long flat stretches, which are ideal for practising. A couple of grade 1 and 2 rapids are encountered, which become low grade 3 at high levels. There are 2 weirs to negotiate. They are both runnable, but scout the second weir first before running it (on the left).

• Ideal for: K1
• Grade: 1 to 2
• Length: 22km
• Duration: Less than 2 hours in a K1
• Type: Long pools, small rapids
• Put-in: Islington Store
• Take-out: Bridge at Umzimkulu town on R56
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: None

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This has become a favorite section for kayakers, especially the short first stretch, which has become known as the Waterfall Section. There are some spectacular waterfalls and interesting rapids, with enough flat water between all the action to recover.

• Ideal for: Kayak, croc, raft
• Grade: 3 to 4
• Length: 1) 5km 2) 30km
• Duration: 1) 2 to 3 hours 2) 6 to 7 hours
• Type: Pool-drop, few waterfalls
• Put-in: Stoke’s farm
• Take-out: 1) At Cooper’s Falls, still on Stoke’s farm. 2) Islington Store
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Farmer at Stoke’s farm is very friendly. At least greet him when you put in.
• Detailed trip report on Adrian Tregoning’s blog: Umzimkulu River – Waterfall Section, High Level Blast

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For K1-paddlers, this is a pleasant section of the Umzimkulu River. The first two and last five kilometers have class 2 to 3 rapids, while the middle section is mostly flat with a few class 1 and 2 rapids. Two kilometers before the take out is a class 4/5 rapid which should be portaged by K1-paddlers. Remember to take out before the small waterfall at the end.

• Ideal for: K1
• Grade: 1 to low 3
• Length: 18km
• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Centocow Mission bridge
• Take-out: Stoke’s farm
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Farmer at Stoke’s farm is very friendly. At least greet him when you put in.

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This is a fairly steep and rocky section of the Umzimkulu River, where some of the rapids drop several meters in as little distance. At low levels it is rocky and only suitable for kayaks, but when the level gets higher, wildwater racers can enjoy it as well. At all levels it is enjoyable for kayakers who have a bit of experience.

• Ideal for: Kayak
• Grade: 3 to low 4
• Length: 10km
• Duration: 3 to 4 hours
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Polela confluence, where road comes close to river
• Take-out: Centocow mission bridge
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: None

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Thrombosis Gorge, or “Thrombi” as it is commonly known, is one of the most popular technical sections in the country. The section includes Thrombi Falls, an 11m waterfall that is probably the most regularly run waterfall in the country.

• Ideal for : Kayak
• Grade: 4, at high level 5
• Length: 1) 8km 2) 25km
• Duration: 1) 2-4 hours, depending on amount of scouting. 2) 6-7 hours
• Type: Pool-drop
• Put-in: Bridge across river. First turn-off to Coleford from R617 when coming from Bulwer to Underberg.
• Take-out: 1) Farm 2) Polela confluence
• Levels paddleable: Look at low-level bridge at put-in. If small pillars are under water, the level is very high.
• Dam controlled: No
• Permits: Permission from farmer at first take-out

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