Orange River – Blouputs to Raap-en-Skraap

About

A 60 km section of the Orange in the northern Bushmanland, typically run over 2 to 5 days by canoe, touring kayak or raft. Indigenous trees form a 50 m green oasis along each bank before giving way to multi-coloured desert. The trip is predominantly flat water with minor rapids and interesting channels between islands. Despite low rainfall, levels can shift daily due to Vanderkloof Dam and Bloemhof Dam releases — camp well above the waterline. Choose camps considerately and leave no trace. The Blouputs bridge links the Blouputs farming community with the Riemvasmaak settlement on the Namibian side; access the river below the weir just upstream of the bridge. Blouputs bridge: 28°30'48.78"S 20°11'12.37"E. 0 – 20 km: Farming on the south bank (continuous grape vines), though high steep banks make it feel surprisingly isolated. No real rapids — just occasional fast-moving water and easily-spotted main channels. At around 20 km the Orange becomes the South Africa–Namibia border (SA south, Namibia north). 20 – 31 km: Ruggedness increases, hills closer to the river. A sand dune on river left at 31 km downstream of Blouputs is a prominent landmark with a dry riverbed on the left suitable for a rest stop — but do NOT camp in the riverbed; it has flash-flooded overnight before, washing away a camp (all survived). Sand dune: 28°26'44.98"S 19°53'32.74"E. 31 – 48 km: Flat water, some channels. Valley opens with farming on both banks for about 10 km, then isolation returns in one of the Orange's most beautiful stretches. No real rapids. "Amphitheatre" is a spectacular area on this segment — 28°30'8.69"S 19°47'7.15"E. 48 – 53 km: Small rapids and channels. About 5 km below Amphitheatre, a farmhouse appears on the right bank, followed soon after by the section's first weir. Stay right, scout from the right bank; run the small rapid on the right side of the weir if enough water, otherwise portage on the right. 28°29'12.87"S 19°44'17.79"E. 53 – 63 km: Flat water and a small weir. About 1 km past the first weir is a second small weir, usually runnable in the middle with caution (28°29'48.60"S 19°43'8.28"E). Beyond this, flatwater pushes toward the big weir — a dangerous weir; approach the left bank immediately on sighting it, as higher levels disguise the current's speed. At very low levels an experienced rafter can run the far left, but at most levels and with most craft the weir must be portaged on the left bank. 28°31'57.28"S 19°39'56.28"E. 63 – 69 km: Many channels, some small rapids. Directly below the big weir, a fun rapid section begins; stay in the main left channel and ignore the small right channels (dead ends) until the main channel itself turns right — then hold the middle for the longest and largest rapid of this section. More rapids and channels follow, all with open lines. A distinctive black-rock mountain appears on river left about 6 km below the big weir (28°31'5.28"S 19°36'52.37"E) and marks the start of an interesting final section. 69 – 89 km: A maze of channels and some rapids. The river breaks into countless channels for 20 km, forming reed-bank islands rich in fish eagles, goliath herons and other birds. Channel selection is critical — many dead ends, and high water can flush paddlers into strainers; a few tricky rapids also appear. Study satellite imagery beforehand and stick to the largest channel where possible. Around 1 km before the take-out, most channels converge on the right into a fun rapid; immediately afterwards work toward the left bank to avoid missing the exit. Raap-en-Skraap is a large grape farm on the south side with a riverside campsite used as the take-out. 28°37'38.70"S 19°30'17.05"E.

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