Page 40 - Waterfall City Issue 11 November 2024

Waterfall City Travel

Days on the river seem to glide by. There’s commented that she was so chilled on whirlpool, taking in copious amounts of
a routine: paddle, set-up camp, open the rest of the paddle after she fell in on water. All I can do is shout and scream
a cold beer, enjoy an afternoon on the the first rapids. This may be good advice. at the Orange. It listens because it
beach, fireside stories, eat, sleep, coffee, So, fall in and get it over with. Our group eventually spits us out, and we paddle
strike down camp, get on the water and only had two swimmers, who, despite on, a little battered but still in the game.
repeat. Thanks to all the rain, the Orange the shock (the water is cold!), were
is an almighty beast. So, for the first few picked up quickly and promptly given Every morning we wake to clear
days, we sail down the river, paddling more brandewyn at camp. autumn skies in our orange world.
now and then, eating our prerequisite There is nothing rushed about packing
snacks, hydrating and every once in a Afternoons are my favourite part of up. While kids catch barbel against a
while, jumping in for a swim to cool off. the day. Iced beverage in hand, we rising sun, we dozily enjoy coffee and
sit on camp chairs along the river’s rusks gazing up at the multi-coloured
Safety comes first and briefings are edge and while away the day, the kids mountains, turning our faces to the
every day. They often happen on the cavort in the water, and we admire warm skies. This is Africa at her best.
side of the river mid paddle to notify the striking scenery. But as soon as
you of the next rapids and how to the sun drops, it is time to don the We are not adventurous enough to
navigate them. So, we are given ample thermals. Despite the splendid warm sleep outdoors like our guides, who
time to mentally prepare. Or perhaps afternoons in the Northern Cape, don’t seem to feel the cold. Although
that’s just me. I find the rapids equally temperatures drop steadily in the at the end of our trip, Trystan tells us
thrilling and terrifying. Shouting orders evening and dressed up for a day in a the trick is to sleep with two sleeping
to Wingman M at every turn, I sound ski resort, we settle down by the fire, bags. Instead, we sleep like a tight
more like a Sergeant Major than a ready for dinner, stories and a laugh. community, tents in a rough line,
chilled paddler as I steer us through, except for the honeymoon couple,
trying to stay on course and not fall out. The guides are excellent, encouraging who stay on the outskirts. Earplugs
and cajoling us along. Especially on are suitable for this kind of communal
Falling out is par for the course, and day 4, when the headwinds pick up, sleeping arrangement.
we discovered after the trip that the and it feels like despite our best efforts,
group in front of us had 10 swimmers, we aren’t moving. At one stage, we just By the end of the trip, we learn that sand
including their guide. One fellow mom spin around and around, caught in a is part of the deal – live with it. Keep

38 Waterfall City Issue 11 2024