Orange River – Pella to Goodhouse
Orange River – Pella to Goodhouse · northern cape
Grade
III
Length
90km
Duration
5 to 7 days
About
A 90km, 5 to 7 day trip from Pelladrif pump station to Goodhouse, graded 2 to 3, said by some to hold the best scenery on the entire Orange River. Flow is controlled by Vanderkloof and Bloemhof Dams. The gradient is gentle but continuous, aiding progress on flatter water. Expect many channels and islands with easy but long rapids that cannot be scouted and must be run blind. The major obstacle is Khum-Khum Falls, about 60km below Pelladrif — a small waterfall on river left fed by smaller channels from the right. Runnable at certain levels, but usually not. Stay right in the channels as you approach and portage on the right bank. At high levels the small gorge below fills up and the fall becomes barely noticeable. Witbank can be used as a halfway access point, or a farm another 20km down. In the Witbank area the river has many channels, so keep to the left bank to avoid missing the take-out.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
None
Commercial operators
- Gravity River Tours
- Kalahari Adventure Centre