Arrival time
The basecamp is behind the Caltex Oranjerus Service Station, on the outskirts of Hopetown (Northern Cape), along the N12 road to Kimberley. It is situated about 300m from the Orange River.
Please arrive at the basecamp by 15:00 pm on Day 1 of the adventure, as there is a safety briefing, and then dinner gets served around 19:00 pm. If you are going to arrive later than 15:00 pm, that is fine, but please let us know ahead of time.
Do I need a passport?
NO, you do NOT require a passport, as the adventure takes place on the Orange River, between Hopetown and Douglas (Northern Cape), so entirely within South Africa.
Safety
Please listen carefully to all the instructions given to you by the Trip Leader and the guides, as we are 100% focussed on your safety. If you are unsure about anything, please ask one of the guides to assist you.
Camping
Please note that your tent will be pitched for you on arrival, so ready to move into. We use 3-man tents, so if you are a family, or a group of friends, please decide ahead of time who you'll be sharing a tent with. We recommend 2 people share a tent, but if you are single, you will have your own tent. This does not apply to children, only to single adults.
During the rest of the adventure, you will be responsible for pitching and taking down your own tent, packing and unpacking your gear, loading and unloading your gear onto the rafts, tying your gear and possessions down on the rafts, and loading and unloading your cooler box too daily. We encourage everyone to please be considerate, patient, and helpful, as there is a lot of logistical planning happening daily.
Our guides are there primarily for your safety on the river, however, they can show you how to do things if you require any assistance. Please note that you are responsible for packing and carrying all your own gear on the rafts daily, so it's important not to bring too much stuff! We supply you with a list of what to bring, so please take the time to read through the information carefully and do your best to only bring the necessities.
Allergies and Dietary requirements
If you are allergic to anything (bee stings, food ingredients, dairy, nuts etc.), please indicate this on the indemnity form you complete ahead of doing the rafting adventure.
If you don't eat meat, or particular types of meat, or are vegetarian and/or gluten intolerant, please advise us well in advance. We do cater for those with special dietary requirements and/or food allergies.
Must I bring my own snacks?
Yes, you will need to buy your own snacks, as we only supply your main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea, coffee, milk and sugar). The Caltex Oranjerus convenience store close to our basecamp offers a wide selection of snacks, biltong, cooldrinks, energy drinks, sweets, chocolates, ice-creams, and bottled drinking water.
We supply each cooler box with 2 x 2kg of ice, which is sufficient to keep your beverages and snacks cool during your time on the river, however, if you require additional ice, it can be bought at the convenience store too. Their prices are very reasonable too, so please support them for all your requirements.
Fitness level and ability to swim
A moderate level of fitness is required to participate in the rafting adventure. If you have any neck, shoulder, arm or back issues, please get clearance from your medical practitioner or professional BEFORE embarking on this adventure.
Everyone participating in our rafting adventure MUST be able to swim. There are no exceptions allowed when it comes to your safety.
Medication and Drugs
Please note that any medication causing sedation or impacting your ability to focus during the day could be problematic. Although the rapids are not wild, you do need to have your wits about you!
The consumption of alcoholic beverages while you are rafting during the day is NOT allowed, as it could impair your judgement and make you tired, so please refrain from consuming any form of alcohol for your own safety. Once you reach the camping sites in the afternoons, you are allowed to consume alcoholic beverages.
Adventure Rafting has a ZERO tolerance for using any mind altering, illegal drugs, as it will impair your judgement and is unsafe.
Booking a rafting trip
There is a 50% deposit payable to confirm a rafting booking. We have a no refund policy once you have made a booking, unless we ourselves are unable to do a trip due to a death in the family, injury, an accident, sickness or flooding that would compromise your safety.
If you cannot make a trip after booking due to a valid medical reason, death in the family, injury, accident, sickness, or any other serious issue, you will be allowed an additional 12 months in which to do the trip, so don't stress. It is important to advise Adventure Rafting of any issues ASAP, so that we are able to accommodate you on a new booking, and can plan accordingly.
If you have made a booking and decide to cancel it within 14 days of the starting date, you will forfeit the deposit paid. We do our best though to be reasonable in these instances, so if you have any issues preventing you from doing a particular trip, it's important to communicate with us ASAP, so that we can assess the situation and try to accommodate you as best we can.
The full list of terms and conditions will be supplied to you before you make a booking, so please take the time to read through these and ask any questions you may have.
Safe parking
There is safe parking available for your vehicles from when you arrive at our basecamp until you depart. Please hand your keys and/or any valuables in for safekeeping while you are on the river.
What is included in the price for the adventure?
All tasty meals
The full use of ALL rafting equipment
The use of KEY camping gear (tent, groundsheet, mattress)
Safe parking during the adventure
All camping fees
All transfers to and from the river
I trust this information was helpful, but please don't hesitate asking any further questions.
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