The lowdown on the Orange

It’s difficult to explain the magic of the Richtersveld to those who’ve never been, but a couple of days paddling down the Orange River alters your state of mind. Drive 600km from Cape Town just to spend some time on a river, you ask? You bet. Hell, it’s even worth the trip from Johannesburg, 1000km away.

No spa getaway in all the world can beat this for a relaxing, de-stressing and revitalising break from city life — and on this holiday you can eat and drink as much as you want.

From base camp, you’ll head off in two-man canoes for three or four days of floating, drifting and occasionally paddling down South Africa’s greatest river. Every now and then, a few rapids get in the way, just to liven things up a bit.

If you fall out, relax; that’s part of the fun. Then, as you watch the sun set over the river at the end of the day, drink in hand, the hustle and bustle of the city so many miles away won’t even register in your consciousness.

No cellphones, no traffic, no boss on your case… Woodfire-roasted lamb has never tasted this good, the desert stars have never shone as bright and you’ve never had a better sleep on an air mattress in your life — magic.

And to top it off, the Felix Unite Orange River New Year’s Party is about the best damn new year’s bash this side of Paris.

Sounds great: What's the problem?

Orange is great, but if we’re going to have to split hairs here, then the ever-encroaching problem is that there’s a little too much development going on along the river banks. On the most popular route from Noordoewer in Namibia, there are a few too many farmers and miners popping up these days, compared to ten years ago. Just when you think you’re completely isolated, far from the world outside, the hum of a generator can instantly kill the mood.

Where to, then?

The Cunene, separating northern Namibia from southern Angola, is one of Africa’s remotest rivers. If a trip down the Orange River means getting away from the city, then a trip down the Cunene means getting away from modern civilisation altogether. As a result, this isn’t simply a few days off work: it’s a 12-day expedition — longer, more expensive and more adventurous than Orange, and still guaranteed to unwind you like a top.

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Originally published in 'Don't climb Kilimanjaro' by Two Dogs.

Sure, you’ll have to handle a few rapids in your two-man crocs, but the Cunene is about getting out into the middle of nowhere and experiencing something unique: a landscape that you’ve never experienced, a river that remains almost untouched by modern developers.

Along the way, you’ll encounter fascinating bird life, local Ovahimba tribesmen and perhaps the odd crocodile or two. Each evening, the back-up vehicles meet up with the rafters, to replenish supplies and set up camp for another night around the fire, talking the bush talk and gazing up at the endless stars.

The river journey eventually ends at the beautiful Epupa Falls, then it’s time to head south again. A few days later you’ll be back in the office wondering why it is exactly that you live in a city…

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Breede River alternative

If you're not looking to adventure across desert lands for your river time and prefer a weekend getaway that's a little closer to home and a touch more luxurious, head out to the Breede. It's a fun, versatile river, offering shorter trips for families, friends and company team-building sessions. Day trips cover separate sections of the river, with accommodation at base camp in A-frame chalets.