Hi All

I have been making plans to run an affordable overland tour of Africa next year. This tour will cater especially for kayakers. Starting in South Africa - visiting the creeks of Natal and the Lowveld before moving North to the Zambezi and possibly the Nile, all the while getting a nonpaddling African tour (Safari, bushcamps, etc). The duration will be 2-3 weeks.

Before i post more detail about the trip (all the rivers and spots, price, etc) I'd like to know if there is a big intertest.

It will be run by three fully qualified guides and teachers - expert in Creeking and freestyle for any help you might need.

So if you're interested in touring Africa a kayakers way. please post a reply and i'll follow with an in depth plan on my site plus booking details.

Good Lines and Big Air
Scotty R

p.s for more on Africa and an idea of the rivers you'll be paddling check out my site below.

I'm definitely interested, but we all know how cheap paddlers are...so how much is it?

I got a number of very interested responses so i'm going ahead and planning it for late next year.
As far as cost is concerned, i can't say now however Africa is generally a cheap vacation in any case and we'll be sticking to backpacker accomodations and such. Main cost will probably be your flight to South Africa, from there i can't say until i've covered all aspects of the trip (food, gas, visas, etc). But keep watching my blog in the coming months.

Good lines
Scotty R

Are all skill levels welcome?

What's the dilly yo?

So if you're keen please pop an email to scotty@lifebywater.com .

The break down will be roughly as follows:
You'll need to supply your own equipment, i can supply some but it's limited but we can make an arrangement prior to arrival.

You'll land in JHB int airport.
Spend one night in Johannesburg preparing equipment, food and such.

As far as skill is concerned intermediate to advanced paddlers i recommend.

day 2) travel 2h30m to the lowveld where we will spend the night near montrose falls, we'll spend the afternoon at the falls. This area is like a waterfall playground with a 25f drop that is uber easy for beginners to a 50f drop that is uber difficult.

day 3) We move onto the Sabie and Mac Mac rivers. We'll camp at Induna Adventures for 2 nights where we will run the U1 and the U2 sections of the sabie. And if levels permit we will run the Mac Mac as well.

(see this article on my blog for more on the Sabie and montrose: linesandblunts.blogspot.com/2006/04/pump...-waterfalls-and.html )

Day 5) drive to the Blyde Canyon, arguably the most beautiful gorge in SA, where the water is crystal blue and very remote. We'll overnight for a break of paddling and enjoy a nice Braai (bbq).

Day 6) We hit the river and overnight where the river enters the dam.

day 7) a boat meets us and carries us across the dam, that is surounded by exquisite mountains.

Now this should cost around R1000 in petrol for one vehicle and about R500 for accomodation for each person plus food costs which should come to around R1000 for everyone. Just use google to use a curreny converter to convert Rands into whatever currency you want. But it is cheap.

Now we either go home and call it a trip after 7 days. But what i'd liketo do is to drive for a day and a half and spend another week on the Zambezi before traveling through botswana and onto Johannesburg where you guys fly home. This will probably double the cost. But it is some of the best paddling in the world. You guys choose and let me know.

Good lines and big air
Scotty R

Just to add onto that. The Blyde River Canyon is the third largest canyon in the world and also the largest vegetated canyon! It is an awesome river and would rank in the top runs in the world as far as beauty goes I'm sure. Not to be missed. There are some pics of the rivers mentioned here... But they don't do it any justice

adrian.playak.com/index.php?option=com_z...Itemid=4&catid=1

The Mac-Mac, Sabie and Crocodile are also excellent. Some of them contain crocs and hippo too, so you'll get your monies worth I would make a plan. South Africa is a cheap place for a visit too (esp. when you come with Pounds, US dollars or Euros)

Hi Scotty

What kind of boat to bring - playboat, creek or river runner?

Probably a playboat with good river running ability, especially seeing as we're more than likely going to head up to the Zam.

As an ex South African living in New Zealand now I would like to respectfully point out that although the Blyde River canyon might be scenic it does not come close to any number of rivers I could mention in New Zealand both in terms of scenery and quality of rapids. Then there is Norway, California, Nepal etc etc. So before making bold statements about the Blyde I suggest Adrian you widen your horizons a bit.

Jurgen wrote:

As an ex South African living in New Zealand now I would like to respectfully point out that although the Blyde River canyon might be scenic it does not come close to any number of rivers I could mention in New Zealand both in terms of scenery and quality of rapids. Then there is Norway, California, Nepal etc etc. So before making bold statements about the Blyde I suggest Adrian you widen your horizons a bit.

I am well aware that there many better places to paddle than in good old South Africa.

I am just proud of where I live and enthusiastic and passionate about my paddling. Thats all. And tying to help out a friend with some advertising.