
AAAX ORANGE RIVER 4 NIGHT CANOE SAFARI
Including HALF DAY RIVER RAFTING RUSH
Fun for the whole family Ages 7 to 70
This trip covers a 60 km stretch of the Orange River.
Your adventure begins at Augrabies Falls National Park. View the falls against the spectacular backdrop of the setting sun, turning desert and rock to fire. The next day you are introduced to the mighty Orange River.
The river passes through some of the most unspoilt landscapes in South Africa. Giant rushes and indigenous trees line a 50m green strip of oasis along each river bank before giving way to the multi-coloured moonscape of the desert. Our canoe trails are dotted with minor rapids, which add some thrills and spills to the peaceful paddle downstream.
Day 1 - ARRIVAL
Meet in the Augrabies Falls National Park campsite from 12h00 onwards. You'll recognise us. We are the guys with the trailer full of canoes and crocs! Afternoon spent with the Aurabies Rush.
AAAX AUGRABIES RUSH
Raft an exciting and pristine 8 km stretch of the Orange River, above the main Augrabies Falls, taking out only 300 metres from the main falls.
Tackle grade 2 and 3 rapids we call the Rhino, Rollercoaster, Klipspringer, Blind Faith and the Cascades while viewing the parks bird and wildlife.
Our SATOUR and APA registered guides lead you on this four hour adventure, departing from and returning to Augrabies National Park reception.
We supply all rafting and safety equipment, transport and refreshments.
You need to bring sandals or tackies, hat, sunglasses( with tiebacks), sunblock, camera, swimming costume, shorts and shirt.
All your spare equipment is carried in waterproof buckets. The rapids are broken by stretches of calm to give you the opportunity to take in the scenery and the abundant river life. Snacks and drinks included.
Night 1
We set up a communal camp for an evening braai. Take in the awesome Augrabies Falls for sundowners. Meet your guides and fellow adventurers. Enjoy an informal briefing.
Day 2
Wake up to an early breakfast before we strike camp. Shuttle your vehicle to secure parking at our operations base 15 minutes away. We then drive you 50 km's through Northern Bushmanland to the start of the trail. Paddle the morning away, lunch is prepared during an early afternoon break from the heat, and a minor rapid or two is encountered on the way to your first night at the Amphitheatre.
Day 3
The day starts at sunrise, when the temperature is altogether more comfortable. Breakfast on fruit, breads, oats, coffee and teas before another hectic day of drifting, swimming, birding, paddling and relaxing. The feeling of isolation is all the more apparent as you weave through the magnificent gorges that echo forever downstream. Lunch is always in the shade of the riverbank during the hottest part of the day. Then a short afternoon paddle before pulling up for the night opposite Black Mountain. There is lots of time for you to explore the desert, climb the hill to Minus 4, chill in the shade, swim and relax before our guides blow you away with a feast fit for a hungry rafter. Believe us when we say we pull the stops out with the cuisine. You wont go hungry, we promise!
Day 4
Test your new found paddling skills to the full as we negotiate the myriad of channels and water mazes as the river slowly carves it's way through a mass of reed banks, islands and small rapids. At this point you'll realise why you've got a guide! Goliath Herons, with their 2 metre wingspans glide over the surface of the river catching fish, unperturbed by the human onlookers. The night is spent on the Namibian side of the river opposite the hot springs. In fact, at this point, you could walk North through the desert for three or four days before reaching a soul.
Final Day
More drifting and relaxing before you hit the final rapid - we call it Graduation. Shortly afterwards we pull the canoes out of the river and transport awaits to return you to our base camp, your vehicle, a blissfully hot shower and a complimentary farewell lunch.
Mammals include baboon, vervet monkeys, scrub hare, ground squirrel, leopard, caracal, african wild cats, bat eared fox, cape fox, jackal, cape clawless otter,and suricates. Plant life includes spekboom, shepherds tree, camelthorn, sweet-thorn,wit-karee, wild olive, wild tamarisk, aloes, and kokerboom. Bird life includes cormorants; goliath, grey and black-headed herons, fish eagles, black eagles; pied, giant and malachite kingfishers, rosy faced lovebirds, african reed jacanas, bee-eaters, masked and sociable weavers, rock kestrels, egyptian geese, african black duck, african shellduck and many more... The fisherpeople amongst you can try your hand at landing the giant barbel and yellowfish which inhabit these waters.
WHAT TO BRING
Wet gear: Hat, sunglasses with ties, track shoes, costume, shorts, long sleeved shirts, waterproof windbreaker. Dry gear: Tracksuit, shirts, underwear, dry shoes or boots, environment friendly toiletries, torch and camera. Camping gear: Sleeping bag, camp chair and eating utensils (knife, fork, spoon, plate, mug). Although this is the desert, rain is not unheard of so a compact tent can be useful.
Drinks: Cans are best. No glass please except decent bottles of wine. It can get hot so be generous with your calculations. (i.e. times 2) We supply ice on the first and second mornings but it will melt! By day 4 there won't be a cold anything and as you know, there is nothing like warm Coke!. The river is entirely drinkable but not to everyone's taste. Your liquid intake will be high. It is HOT out there.
COST
R3290 per person. Minimum of 8 persons. ($334 €256 £219)
Bookings of less than 8 persons can be accommodated with other groups. Contact for availability: canoeadventure@aaax.co.za
HOW TO GET THERE
Hire a car or 4X4 from AAAX.
Catch a bus: Inter-Cape, Greyhound or Translux Coach Busses to Kakamas. Shuttle service from Kakamas: R200 per person. ( $26 €18 £14 ) Please advise if required.
Fly to Upington - Shuttle to Augrabies. Prices on advisement.
Contact Sue on 0027 83 953 6144 or canoeadventure@aaax.co.za
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AAAX GARDEN ROUTE XTREME
5 DAY ADVENTURE
DAY 1
Depart from Cape Town and drive along N2 through to Cape Agulhas. Visit the Southern most tip of Africa and lighthouse before we head on to Albertinia and the Garden Route Game Lodge. Enjoy Big 5 sunset game drive, dinner and hotspring under the stars. Tonight you’ll have the option of staying at this magnificent Game Lodge simply by paying nominal upgrade fee (Guest House option includes Game Lodge Accommodation). Tonight we stay on a private guest farm outside Albertinia. (D)
DAY 2
Early morning Game drive to see some animals you perhaps didn’t see the evening before followed by a scrumptious breakfast! Depart for Oudtshoorn and drive over the spectacular Robinson Pass. Spend the afternoon at the Cango Caves and ride ostriches at the Cango Ostrich Farm before retiring to Backpackers Paradise where we will stay tonight. (B,D)
DAY 3
On departure we’ll head over the stunning Outiniqua pass down to the coast. Once in Wilderness we’ll do some canoeing on the Wilderness lagoon. Try spot some 200 different species of birds on the lagoon while paddling through the Wilderness National Park. Visit the World’s highest Bungy at Bloukrantz (plenty of time to jump for those thrill seekers) as well as walk hanging bridge over Storms River Mouth in the Tsitsikamma National Park. Overnight at Didge backpackers in Stormsriver Village. (B)
DAY 4
Today you have the option of an ocean adventure by spotting dolphins and Whales (in season) from a boat in Plettenberg Bay. After the boat cruise we head to Knysna for lunch and to explore the Knysna heads. On route to Swellendam we visit an aloe factory in Albertinia before arriving at the Buffeljagts Dam where we will on a private guest farm. There is also the option of going on the longest foefie-slide in Africa! (B, D)
DAY 5
Depart Swellendam and follow the coastal route towards Hermanus. There is time for an optional extra of Shark Cage Diving if any one so wishes. We explore Hermanus including whale watching (in season) and visit a winery for some wine tasting. From Hemanus to Betty’s Bay where we visit the penguins at Stony Point. Return to Cape Town late afternoon via the stunning False Bay coastline where hopefully we’ll see more whales or dolphins. (B)
PRICE: R4 450.00*
*The quoted price depending on choice includes dorm (shared) accommodation in Youth Hostels (R4450), Youth Hostel Private room (R4950) and Guest House private accommodation with ensuite fasilities (R5950). These rates are per person sharing.
Included:
- It includes dinners as well as breakfast except dinner on the 3rd evening.
- All entrance fees of places visited including 2 X big 5 Game drive, Ostrich farm, Cango Caves, Tsitsikamma National Forest, River Canoeing.
- All bedding is provided throughout the tour.
- Qualified guide and vehicle
Excluded:
- Bungy jumping - Gourits 65m, Bloukrans 216m
· Shark cage diving
- Boat based whale/dolphin watching
- Foofie slide
EXPLORE THE GARDEN ROUTE THE WAY YOU’LL NEVER FORGET!
Contact Sue on 0027 83 953 6144 or
aaaxtours@aaax.co.za
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