Letaba River

About

A largely unexplored river draining the high-rainfall Magoebaskloof mountains in the Northern Province. The 7km section described begins just below Ebenezer Dam and usually holds a paddleable level through summer; other sections of the river remain unpaddled. Run at low water first: the gradient is steep but relatively safe at low flows thanks to few vertical drops, with most rapids being slides — some substantial. A long, very steep stepped slide before halfway may be partly runnable, though pine trees often block critical spots. A narrow, unpaddleable stretch midway must be portaged on the right. Further down, a waterfall with a deep plunge pool is likely runnable; otherwise lower boats on ropes from the left and jump. Tree blocks are a hazard, as parts of the river pass through pine plantations, with strainers shifting after each flood. Below the take-out lies a spectacular waterfall reached through private farmland and preceded by a serious rapid that typically carries bad strainers — continuing past the bridge is rarely worthwhile.

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