Tugela River – Canyon

About

A classic trip featuring both runnable and unrunnable waterfalls. The first major feature is the 11m Harts Hill Falls, which is runnable; take out on the rocky island nearest the left bank, or lower boats by rope and jump into the pool below. At very high levels, exit well above the falls to scout. A rapid with a clean drop at the end follows, after which paddlers must pull out on the left bank as the river starts dropping — this is the entrance to Little Augrabies, which must be portaged. Do not eddy-hop to the lip; take the long walk. Next comes a 3m horse-shoe waterfall with possible lines but easily portaged. A weir at the pump house follows (portage left), which can serve as an access point. Just after the weir, land on the mid-river island: spectacular falls totalling about 30m drop on either side, and boats must be climbed down the middle with ropes as needed. A play hole sits 50m below. From here the river delivers class 3 and 4 rapids with occasional drops, plus play holes and waves at medium to high flows. Further downstream, Washing Machine is marked by large boulders on the right bank and in the river, followed by a sharp right turn; it opens with a nasty boulder garden and progresses into ledges forming pour-overs and holes — scout this class 4+ from the right and portage if in doubt. Liquidizer and other good rapids lead to the a riverside camp on the right bank. Below it lie about 15km of flat water broken by excellent class 3 to 4 rapids, notably Finger Rock and Sharkfin. The right bank borders the Tugela Biosphere, an unspoilt area home to much of the Big Five. Dam: Spioenkop, though tributaries feed the Tugela below it.

Access

Permits

None

Commercial operators

• Zingela
• on lower part

Recent sessions