Orange River – Hopetown
Orange River – Hopetown · free state, northern cape
Grade
III
Length
83km on race section, over 100km on full section
Duration
2-day race, short tripping sections
Type
gorge
About
This Vanderkloof-controlled section near Orania hosts an annual two-day race of 38km (day 1) and 45km (day 2), with shorter trip options also available. The area around Thunder Alley is particularly popular for rafting. Put-in is at a bridge on a dirt road off the R369 near Orania; take-out at the R357 bridge. Shorter variations require permission from farmers. Day 1 is largely flat with small rapids until a short, busy section just past halfway. Shake, Rattle and Roll features a violent hole on the left about halfway through the rapid followed by a long wave train — this is also the venue for the annual Orange Fun Rodeo carnage. Long Drop follows soon after: steep, with holes and waves down the middle and bad boils on the right (scout at higher levels). Easier cruising with small rapids and a low weir leads to the day-1 take-out. Day 2 begins flat for several kilometres. The first real rapid is Hubbly Bubbly with a big drop. Just below, Hell's Gate drops the wide river into a narrow gorge — this drop must be portaged (runnable at certain levels by competent paddlers but never in a K1). Despite its name, Thunder Alley's rapids are only class 1 to 2; the name comes from powerboaters racing through the gorge. Easy rapids continue past the race take-out at Kameelfontein farm down to the R357. The full section can be run as a 3 to 5 day overnight raft trip, though many paddlers prefer day trips, especially in Thunder Alley.
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
Permission from farmers when doing shorter trips