The next morning we clocked in for our safety jackets and a dry bag for cellphones and cameras and, after a safety briefing, jumped in our inflatable canoe. The river was quite low and slow so it was a leisurely 10 km paddle downstream with minor rapids to negotiate.

The scenery was beautiful, with sheer cliffs punctuated with reed beds and trees. The bird life is absolutely stunning and we amassed several 'lifers' (first time seen and identified) including the white breasted cormorant, Western reed heron and the little Orange River white eye - obviously not common in our area.