Great Kei River – N2 to ocean
Great Kei River – N2 to ocean · eastern cape
Grade
IV
Length
80km
Duration
2-day race, 3 to 4 day trip
Type
pool drop
About
This 80km stretch hosts an annual two-day race. Midway access requires private-land permission on the southern side, which is hard to obtain outside the race. Northern access, via the former Transkei, relies on rough 4×4 tracks, so private trippers should plan a full 3 to 4 day self-supported trip. The scenery is striking and the rapids are moderate. One weir must be portaged; a 3m waterfall is shootable at some levels by competent kayakers. At flows 1m over the blocks, grade 5 rapids form and should be scouted thoroughly. Named rapids include Pete's Rapid (scout left), The Waterfall, Mgobozi 1 & 2 (with big keeper holes at high water), Pilot Rapid (avoid the undercut cliff), Combi Rock (commit early to left or right), Cascades, Dancing, and Island 21 (easy run on the left, steep drop on the right). A weir with a runnable chute sits just before Pete's Rapid — scout first. Playholes and waves are plentiful.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
None