Tugela River – Red Ravine
Tugela River – Red Ravine · kwazulu-natal
Grade
III
Length
30km
Duration
Long 1 day, easy 2 day
Type
pool drop
About
30km pool-drop section. Less isolated than other Tugela sections — watch valuables around locals. Flatwater below the Tugela Estate bridge put-in can be skipped by driving to a store beside the river near the Bushmans crossing. The ravine begins shortly after the Bushmans confluence. Most rapids readable from the boat. Farm rapid is the first major one and holds big holes. Several other sizeable rapids should be scouted. Main obstacle is Mashunka Falls (2-3m depending on level): runnable lines at low water; at higher flows it forms a bad hole — do not attempt if under-qualified. Take-out is just above a weir at a school turn-off. Possible in a day at high water, but overnight is recommended to justify the logistics.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
None
Recent sessions
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