Tugela River – Middeldrift to Mandini
Tugela River – Middeldrift to Mandini · kwazulu-natal
Grade
III
Length
60km
Duration
2 days
Type
pool drop
About
The final stretch of the Tugela to the sea consists of long flat pools and wide rapids with multiple line choices, used almost exclusively by K1 paddlers. It offers a taste of the KZN midlands wilderness without the threat of unrunnable rapids or waterfalls. All rapids go in K1 at any level but should not be underestimated; at high water large wave trains can cause long swims, though bad stoppers are easy to avoid. At low water, sandbanks emerge between the pools and reading the deeper channels becomes essential. An annual two-day race is held with an overnight stop at Emabhobhane Drift, drawing a small field focused on camaraderie and an infamous barbel fishing competition at the overnight stop. Permission is required for the take-out on the farm where the race ends; otherwise a bridge 10km further, reachable from Mandini, can be used. Recommended for competent K1 paddlers wanting to test their river-running skills.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
Permission for take-out on farm where race ends