| |
The Vaal River is the largest tributary of the Orange River in South Africa. The river has its source in the Drakensberg mountains in Mpumalanga, east of Johannesburg and about 30 km north of Clarens in the Free State at a source known as the Ash River. It then flows southwest to its conjunction with the Orange River southwest of Kimberley in the Northern Cape. It is 1120km in length, and forms the border between Mpumalanga, Gauteng and North West Province on its north bank, and the Free State on its south.
The water of the Vaal, or Lekwe (Lekoa) River is stained by local vegetation to be a greenish colour, but in summer, after rains, it can run very brown. Despite its reputation as an industrial sluice it is, in reality, a beautiful and varied watercourse - and it has played an important role in delivering the country's mineral wealth, both diamonds and gold.
The Vaal River has some fun petite rapids and is very close to Johannesburg so it is a popular destination for both family and corporate trips. Bring your family, friends or colleagues, come and explore Parys white water adventure and experience a river trip you will never forget, only one hour's drive from the centre of Johannesburg.
A VERY SPECIAL RIVER
To raft or kayak the Vaal in the Vredefort Dome is a very special experience. Otters’ Haunt lies in the “buffer zone”
of the World Heritage Site, and almost as soon as we move downriver we are in the heritage site proper.
It is a natural wonderland, with hundreds of islands creating habitats for birds and wildlife.
Look out for cormorant, darter (“snake bird”), many species of duck, leguaans, otters, vervet monkeys, and even signs of
rooikat (caracal) and porcupine (although the last two are night creatures).
The Vredefort Dome, Ring, or Structure, is the oldest and largest blast crater on Earth, thought to have been caused
by an asteroid impact about 2000 million years ago. This is the site of the largest energy release that we can identify that
ever occurred on the Earth’s surface. The islands in the Vaal are a product of the geology of the Dome. Your guide will explain. And – most amazing of all – the Vaal is one of the world’s oldest flowing rivers. In addition to rafting, we run tours of the Vredefort Dome itself. |
|
