Canoeing and Kayaking in South Africa
South Africa has some excellent rivers that are most suitable for canoeing and kayaking. The most popular of South Africa's rivers is the Orange River -- situated on the northern border with Namibia. The Orange River forms a long, green-fringed oasis that runs through the mountainous desert area known as the Richtersveld. Incredibly scenic, it also has a few great rapids.
The section below Augrabies Falls is similar, and there is a one-day rafting trip above Augrabies which features some exciting but not radical rapids. The Gorge section of the Orange is a lot more technical and has some good high-volume rapids.

The Vaal River, a major tributary of the Orange, has few rapids but it is very close to Johannesburg, so it's a popular destination for corporate trips. Also near Johannesburg, is the Crocodile River, which offers a pleasant days outing with some small and mildly challenging rapids.
The Doring River in the Western Cape has a short season towards the end of winter, and offers fantastic, quite technical white water, but it's pretty cold.

The Palmiet River is absolutely wonderful. It runs through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve and offers fantastic technical rapids and wonderful scenery. The trip offered takes one day and includes all meals and sometimes a visit to a winery.

The Molenaars is a very technical, white water river that only works for a few days immediately after heavy rain in its catchment area, so it's not easy to plan a trip. The Sonderend River is a smallish river where you can do a fun day trip or overnighter.
There are two trips on the Breede River: a one day wine tasting trip near Worcester, which is really just an excuse to have a lovely picnic and sample some local wines, with a little bit of paddling thrown in. Lower down, near Swellendam, two-day trips are run on some small rapids and quite rocky sections. This section is used mainly for corporate trips.

There is some fun canoeing in the lakes area of the Garden Route, especially Wilderness and Knysna Lagoon. Other enjoyable flatwater trips include the two self-guided excursions near Port Alfred, one of which is up and down the conveniently tidal Kowie River. The other is a short paddle up the Kleinemond River to a wonderful overnight spot, called Kayak Camp.

Far more luxurious would be an escorted trip through the spectacularly beautiful and biologically unique Kosi Bay lake system. And, also in the Maputaland area of northern KwaZulu-Natal, there are fantastic escorted one-day trips on Lake St Lucia, where you may see crocodiles and hippos, and on Lake Bhangazi, also part of the Greater St Lucia Wetland Park.

The quietness of canoeing Holidays & Vacations makes close encounters with wildlife far easier than on foot. For Africa this is particularly important when it comes to game watching on South African rivers and the Zambezi. As a whole the continent does not disappoint; from the Rift Valley lakes in Tanzania or Kenya to exotic parts of Turkey and Morocco.
Simangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa - A jewel of the South African coastline and a mosaic of swamps, lakes, beaches, coral reefs, wetlands and coastal forests supporting animal, bird and marine life. It also takes in a 37 mile river mouth that has created a huge estuary; Lake St Lucia.

Göksu River, Turkey - The 56 mile long section of Göksu between Drincay and Degiermendere is ideal for canoeing. Short canyons, wild goat and wild boar and slopes covered with laurel bushes and sandalwoods create an interesting landscape.

White Nile, Uganda - This river is known as a play boaters dream but you can steer clear of the falls and big rapids by exploring any of the numerous sleepy river channels.

Upper Zambezi River - This section of water above the Victoria Falls is excellent for a canoe safari. Camp out along the way after exploring channels, relishing the prolific game and challenging yourself in a few grade one and two rapids.

Ahansal River, Morocco - A few rapids will keep you on your toes but in all it's pretty chilled as you wander down the waterway surrounded by stunning red cliff faces.

Lower Zambezi River, Zimbabwe - We're not expecting you to thunder through the whitewater of the Batoka Gorge, but enjoy the long stretches from Chirundu to Mana Pools National Park. It's not uncommon to encounter lions, elephants or hippos drinking from the banks or wallowing in the muddy river.

Lake Baringo, Kenya - Take in the views of the Rift Vall