Sabie River Rafting

 

(Operating from January – December)

 

The Sabie River provides 20 rapids (grade 2–3) with areas of scenic vegetation and outstanding wildlife viewing.  This 8 km route is yielding to the novice, yet accommodating to the thrill seeker within all of us.  Swimming, bum sliding and wave surfing with a boogie board at “Lions rock”.

 

Location:

 

Departure point: Hazyview – you will be collected at the offices in Hazyview and transported to the Sabie River and back.

(Meeting point is 10 km outside Hazyview and 35km outside Sabie on the Sabie/Hazyview Road – R536)

Departure time:  09h00; 13h30

Duration: Half Day – 2.5 hours, cold beverages and snacks included (9–12am/1h30–4h30pm)
Full Day – 4 hours, cold beverages and snacks included (9am–2pm)

Length: 8km with 20 rapids

Difficulty: Class 2 – 3

 

Price:

• Half day Rafting:  R370 pp (R240 per child under 12)
• Half day geckoing / tubing:  R380 pp
• Full day (half day rafting, half day geckoing / tubing) R750 pp

Included:

• Half day rafting – cold beverages and snacks included
• Half day geckoing / tubing – cold beverages and snacks included
• Full day (half day rafting, half day geckoing / tubing) – cold beverages and snacks included – rafters can purchase own lunch at restaurant

 

Requirements:

• Participants must be between the ages of 10 and 65, though younger and older persons are accepted by prior arrangement with the guide in charge.  Minors (under 18 years) require the written consent of a parent or guardian.  All participants must be of sound health and are required to sign an Indemnity Form before departure.
• No prior experience is necessary to attempt this river.
• All equipment is provided, including buoyancy aids (“life jackets”) and helmets, which are compulsory to wear. The rapids range from grade 2 to 3, all of which are manageable by absolute begin

 

Equipment:

 

We use 2-person “Croc Rafts” made By African River Craft.  These forgiving boats are ideal for our river conditions. Participants paddle their own boats (2 per boat) and guides go along in their own craft. Each participant is issued with a buoyancy aid, a helmet and, of course, a two-bladed paddle.

 

Guides, safety and river ethics:

 

A Certified Operating Member of the African Paddling Association (previous known as SARA) and subscribes to the Codes of Safety and Ethics thereof.  River guides are handpicked and experienced in river running, safety and first aid, with affiliation or endorsement from international bodies.  Trips are accompanied by safety kayakers and followed by a support vehicle.

A detailed safety briefing precedes each river trip.  No alcohol 8 hours before or during paddling activities. Please inform your guide beforehand if you have a medical condition he/she should be aware of.

 

Difficulty:

 

Difficulty is rated on a scale from 1 to 6, where Class 1 is moving water, Class 2 and 3 offer great excitements and Class 4 is truly challenging.  A class 5 rapid is extremely difficult, long and very violent (first-time paddlers certainly don’t do them).  Class 6 is essentially un-runnable, until some insane kayakers survive it and the rapid’s rating may be changed to Class 5.

 

What to bring along:

 

Shorts, T-shirts, swimming costume, sun-block, shoes you can swim in, walking shoes, towel and a sense of adventure.  We take a camera with for your convenience and photos can be bought afterwards.  We provide limited space in dry containers.

 

Other useful information:

• Everything you wear will get wet – wear sneakers, strap on sandals or go bare feet.
• Wear a T-shirt over your swimming costume for extra protection against the sun.
• Wear a cap under your helmet for extra sun protection.
• Apply enough sunscreen an hour before the trip.  Remember to apply on the top of your feet if you decide to go bare feet.
• Bring an extra set of dry clothes especially in the cooler seasons.
• You can bring a camera along but we provide a photographic service as it is hard to take a picture of yourself while you paddle