White Water Rafting and Rafting in Namibia

Page sponsored by Kunene River Lodge

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Namibia is a vast, arid country sculpted by seasonal rivers, now mostly dry. White-Water Rafting activities are confined to just two mighty rivers - on the country's south and north borders.

In the south, the Orange River carves its way through the mountain desert landscape of the Richtersveld National Park. Here several South African companies organise safe, one to six day Rafting trips, of up to 85 km, from Vioolsdrift, suitable for 5 to 75 year olds.

The Kunene River rises in Angola, forming Namibia's north-west border from Ruacana to the Atlantic. It is a young African river, flowing faster than most, giving rise to exciting rapids through its gorges. Due to its remoteness, the Kunene remains unspoilt by commercial influences, and offers superb White-Water Rafting opportunities.

Whatever their age or ability, virtually anyone can have an adventure on one of these rivers - from leisurely sight-seeing paddling to adrenaline-pumping thrills and spills. Those with wider ambitions can enjoy a long-distance rafting/camping expedition combining all these aspects with the camp-fire camaraderie of like-minded companions.

With year-round high temperatures in Namibia, the occasional rafting upset - intentional or otherwise - can be quite refreshing, rather than something to avoid!

However, safety is essential on, and in, water. Activities should be supervised by fully-trained Guides using well maintained, high quality equipment. Guides should know their river intimately - there is no substitute for local experience when making split-second decisions in white-water.

Currently, Kunene River Lodge is the only Namibian based White-Water Rafting centre. This remote, friendly, family-run Lodge, 50 km west of Ruacana, has 14 years' experience in White-Water Rafting and makes a perfect base from which to explore the great perennial river as it flows through Kaokoland, one of Africa's last great wilderness areas. The landscape ranges from savannah to desert, with something new around each bend in the river. The stunning Zebra Mountains (striped like zebras!) stare north across the river, as do the Baynes Mountains, whose geology gives rise to the magnificent Epupa Falls - one of Namibia's well-hidden jewels.

As a starter, the Guides can take you a short drive east from the Lodge, for a half or full-day trip, paddling back to the Lodge through the Ondorusu Gorge via rapids of varying difficulty, between stretches of calm water where you might spot Himba children playing, or a sleepy Kunene Crocodile basking in the sun!

At the other extreme, you could opt for a 100 km camping trip from the Lodge to Epupa Falls, lasting two to four days, depending on river level. This is adventure on an altogether higher level, as you paddle through largely unexplored Kaokoland. It will be an unforgettable, life-enhancing blend of paddling a wide spectrum of water conditions, spectacular landscapes unchanged for centuries, nature, fresh air, sun, water, in fact everything you can feel, see, hear, smell and taste . . .

What are you waiting for? Where else can you experience this?