Olifants River – Bobbejaan to Loskop Dam
Olifants River – Bobbejaan to Loskop Dam · lowveld, gauteng
Grade
IV
Length
34km
Duration
Long one-day, easy two-day trip
Type
pool drop
About
34 km. Grade 3 to 4, pool-drop. Hardest rapids in the first half; eases over the final kilometres. Long day or comfortable 2-day trip for kayaks. The first rapid at the put-in is a difficult boulder garden - usually portaged on the right bank (cliff jump into the pool below is optional). After easy near-flat water, serious upper class 4 rapids appear. Be very cautious - the gorge is deep and isolated. Gradient eases in the second half. Take-out is not obvious - seconds should ideally wait there. Pushing further downstream increases the chance of encountering crocodiles and hippos. Flow controlled by Witbank Dam. Access: permission from the hiking-trail farm (013-282-6101) required. 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle needed for both put-in and take-out. Overnight trips must be cleared in advance with the Manager of Loskop Dam Game Reserve (surrounding land is conservation area).
Access
Put-in
Take-out
Permits
Permission for entering hiking trail on farm, call (013) 282-6101. Ask for directions to the huts. A 4×4 or at least a vehicle with high clearance is needed. Same applies to take-out on farm. Ask permission and use a 4×4. Also permit for take-out. Contact the Manager of the Loskop Dam Game Reserve at (013) 262-4190.
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