Whether you’re an adrenalin-junkie looking for some wild white water or a pleasure-seeker tagging along for the ride, South Africa offers some of the world’s best river-rafting. Here’s the pick of what SA has to offer…

Up North

Possibly South Africa’s most famous stretch of water, the Orange River has long been known as a white-water paradise, but is also perfect for city-slickers looking for a relaxed river-rafting holiday.

Flowing through the Richtersveld along the SA/Namibia border, rafters paddle through one of South Africa’s most striking national parks, allowing you to experience the spectacular scenery while relaxing on the river.

If it’s majestic views and (relatively) calm waters you’re after then the Orange is definitely the river for you. The weather is pleasant all year round, but the best time to go is from March to April, says Fuad Bester of tour operator Felix Unite.

He says that the change of season creates conditions that are just perfect for rafting from morning to early evening. The winter months do however bring along cold nights, so dress warmly if you choose to go rafting then. And because you’ll be driving across the Namibian border to start your trip, make sure you have your passport and vehicle levy on hand.

Most adventure companies offer great packages on the river, which will include all food, equipment and guides. Companies like Felix Unite also offer discounted deals at certain times of the year.

Western Cape

If the Orange seems like too much adventure, the Breede River offers a quiet ramble along the river with wine tasting thrown in for good measure. The Breede meanders through the vineyards and farmlands near Worcester before flowing past Bonnievale and Swellendam to meet the Indian Ocean at Witsand, one of South Africa’s top whale-watching spots.

There’re no rapids on this river, but what you will find are fish eagles, otters, kingfishers and the chance to sample some of the finest wines South Africa has to offer... and have a relaxing paddle while doing it! And if an overnight trip is too much for you, at just an hour or two from Cape Town you can even ‘do’ the Breede as a day trip.

For more experienced rafters, the Doring River in the northern Cederberg (about three hours from Cape Town) offers the best white-water in the province. Known as the ‘Tugela of the Cape’ the rapids are short, fast and tricky, offering an exciting rafting experience for anyone with a taste for adventure.

The Doring can only be rafted from around July – September, when the heavy winter rains (and snowmelt, so you’ll need a wetsuit) turn the rapids from whimpering to wild!

KZN Midlands

The mighty Tugela in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands offers one of the most spectacular white-water rafting experiences South Africa has to offer. This isn’t one to tackle on your own though, with the 30km canyon dishing up rapids from a do-able grade one to a deadly grade five.

Zingela River Safaris have specially-trained guides that’ll take you down the river in two-man ‘crocs’ or eight-man rafts (depending on the water level). Lifejackets and helmets are also provided, and the guides take you through a safety briefing and paddling demonstration before setting off on the river, so no experience is necessary.

Mpumalanga

Although you don’t need rafting experience to challenge the Blyde River Canyon, this legendary Mpumalanga river offers some serious white water, so you’ll need to be reasonably fit and not scared of floating in swift water to tackle this one.

Apart from avoiding the occasional hippo, this alpine-style river offers everything from an easy paddle through riverine forest to steep rapids requiring some nifty paddling. Depending on your appetite for adventure, the most exciting time of year to raft the Blyde is from mid-November to March, when the seasonal rains swell the river to adrenalin-pumping proportions.

Otter’s Den, listed with the African Paddling Association (APA), run regular trips down the river in season. They will also provide you with all the necessary equipment, including the essential helmets and buoyancy aids. They also offer fantastic accommodation in chalets nestled in the forest on the riverbank.

Whether you’re braving the Blyde or taking a lazy paddle down the Breede, don’t forget to take along an extra change of clothes, a protective hat and sunscreen for the harsh summer sun, a pair of flip-flops to wear on the water (‘croc’ sandals are perfect), swimming costume, shorts, T-shirt and a towel.