- Where is The River Rafters Base Camp?
Approximately 10km from the Namibia border at Noordoewer – on the Namibian side. You will find our camp on Google maps by searching for: Bundi Orange River Base Camp – Bundi is our Sisters Company.
- What is the weather like?
November to the end of March can be very hot, with high temperatures of 40°C or more. April, May, Sept and Oct will be a little cooler with high temperatures in the middle 30°C. June, July and August temperatures are usually in the 20’s during the day, with cooler temperatures from dawn to dusk.
- Does it ever rain?
Yes, most likely period for rain would be in the summer months (January to March), although it is not very common.
- What time of the year will the river be at its highest?
Our section of the river is dam-controlled. We thus have ample water throughout the year with the water level at its highest in March/April due to the RSA summer rainfall feeding the river.
- What grade is the river?
The river is grade 1 and 2. This means nothing too big and scary. It is suitable for the entire family.
- Can I fly to Noordoewer?
There is a small private air strip, where a chartered plane can land. Immigration has to be done at Alexander bay.
- Can I fly to Springbok?
There is an airport; however it is mostly for chartered planes. From there it is still a 1.5 hours’ drive to our camp. Vehicle hire in not easily accessible in Springbok.
- Can I fly to Upington?
Yes, however it is still a good 5 hours’ drive to our camp.
- What is the driving time from Cape Town?
Approximately 7 hours self-drive.
- What is the driving time from Johannesburg?
Approximately 12 hours self-drive.
- When does the Noordoewer border close?
They are open 24hrs a day – vehicles pay for motor car, bakkies and minibuses are R371.00 (subject to change). Please click here to view the most recent Government Gazette General Notice as of 28 April 2023 containing prices.
Contact number for the border: 00264-63-297122 - What vaccinations are compulsory?
Yellow fever (if coming from an affected area)
- Do you cater for dietary needs?Any special dietary requirements you may have should be specified clearly on your booking form when booking your rafting trip. We only cater for basic, Vegetarian, Kosher and Halaal diets. For any other dietary need you are encouraged to bring your own preferred replacement products with. We will supply you with our detailed menu for you to gage what replacement products you will need to bring. We offer a discount of R200.00 per person with a dietary need we do not cater for. Replacement products can be handed to your guide to transport. Please keep your snacks with you.
- Can I drink the river water?
We do not recommend drinking the river water although it is clean. We advise that you bring at least 2 liters of water per person per day.
- What documents do I require to enter Namibia?
- Valid Passport. It has to be valid for 6 months from the exit date with at least 1 blank page.
- Visa if you are from Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Romania, China, Slovakia or Slovenia. This list can be updated at any time – please always check with the Namibia High Commission +27 (012) 481 9100 or visit https://www.visahq.co.uk/namibia/ and select your country of origin.
- Vehicle documents and Country sticker for vehicle.
- All minors to have Unabridged birth certificates as well as Passports when travelling with both parents. If traveling with only one parent or guardian, they will also require an Affidavit from the absent parent/legal guardian. The affidavit is to be signed and stamped by a commissioner of Oaths. For more info please go to: https://bit.ly/2RdIKL7
- Please check with the border for any special health requirements or regulations. It is the customers own responsibility to be updated on these types of requirements.
- Vioolsdrift Border:
Namibian side:
Tel: 00264-63-297122
Fax: 00264-63-297021
South African side:
Tel: +27(0)27 761 8760
Fax: +27(0)27 761 8931 - Nakop Border:
Namibian side:
Tel: +264(0)63 280 057
Fax: +264(0)63 280 058
South African side:
Tel: +27(0)54 571 0008
Fax: +27(0)54 571 0009
- What documents are required for my vehicle to cross the border?
If your vehicle documents are not in order you will not be able to cross the border. You have to have the following documents available:
- Valid Passport of driver
- Valid driver’s licence
- Certified copy of vehicle registration papers (The Chassis, engine number, trailer number, and license
details will be checked by the police.) - Proof of ownership of the vehicle by owner or Rental Company
- If vehicle is hired, you will need to have the Rental company contract documents with you
- If the vehicle is still being financed, carry a letter of authority from the bank (must include dates of
travel) together with the vehicle papers. - ZA sticker
- Motor Insurance Certificate – this you will obtain at the Border. It will be valid for 30 days.
- Will there be a guide to paddle with me or my child?
The guides allocated to your trip will carry all of the equipment to make your trip an unforgettable experience. They will thus not have space to fit anyone in their boats. Should you however feel that you definitely need someone to paddle you down the river, please inform us when making your booking in order for us to make the necessary arrangements.
- What type of boat do we use?
We use 2-man Ark “croc” inflatable rafts.
- Why do we use Ark inflatable crocs?
- They do not easily break or capsize when hitting a rock.
- No bailing required. They have a self-bailer built in through which the water flows out.
- Very comfortable to relax on.
- They are very child-friendly as they are made from plastic polymer.
- You can load a lot onto crocs and also tie camping equipment on the sides with safety ropes.
- They are easy to steer, therefore safe in faster flowing water to avoid rocks.
- One can easily get in and out of crocs which is an important factor for swimming during the hot
summer months!
- Do I need to have paddling experience?
No, you don’t need any paddling experience. Your guides will brief you on how to paddle.
- How many guides will be on my trip?
We generally allocate 1 guide to every 10 guests.
- What is the minimum and maximum age limits for rafting?
We do not advise taking children younger than 5 years of age.
There is no maximum age limit, though obviously you have to be physically able to do the trip. - How do I enter the campsite, do I need specific documents?
Our camp has all the details of clients arriving. So you can just arrive, book in with the camp managers and enjoy the surroundings.
- Where do I leave my passport & car keys?
You can lock your passport and all other valuables in your vehicle. Your vehicle keys can be handed in with the camp managers for safe keeping during your trip. Note that you will have to carry a certified copy of your passport with you on the river.
- Where do I leave my passport & car keys?
You can lock your passport and all other valuables in your vehicle. Your vehicle keys can be handed in with the camp managers for safe keeping during your trip. Note that you will have to carry a certified copy of your passport with you on the river.
- Does a SA cell phone work on the border to phone home?Vodacom and MTN does have reception at the border and in our basecamp. For all other networks there is no signal at our base camp and extraordinarily little at the border. Note that we do not have a pay phone facility available at the camp.
- Will my car be safe? And is there shade?
Parking is at own risk; however there are people at the camp 24 hours a day. We do have shade by means of trees; however we will not necessarily have enough for everyone’s car.
- Are there power points at The River Rafters base camp camp-sites?
Yes, we have power points at most of the camp-sites. Please check with the camp managers.
- Do you have space in your fridges at the camp for my drinks?No, we do not have space in our fridges to keep your drinks cool.
- How do I keep my drinks cold?The colder your drinks are on arrival, the longer your drinks will stay cold. We suggest that you freeze some of your drinks before you arrive at camp. Then place your frozen drinks in the cooler box. If all your drinks are fizzy drinks, then freeze a few small bottles of water to place in your cooler and you can then drink it as it defrosts.
- Do you have a bar at the camp?
Yes, we do. We sell a variety of snacks, drinks, beers, and wine. ONLY CARD PAYMENTS are accepted at the bar.
- Is there ice available?
Ice is a commodity on the river. You can purchase non-consumable 5lt blocks of ice upon arrival at our bar (cashless credit card only) to place in your cooler to keep your drinks cold. We will provide you with non-consumable ice the morning you go onto the river and on resupply to keep your cooler cold. We also have consumable ice available at the bar in the camp. If you wish to have consumable ice delivered at the resupply point, please arrange for it with the bar. All ice sales are cashless, credit card only based sales. Resupply is not available for half day, 1 day, 2-day and 3-day trips.
- Where can I buy alcoholic drinks, cooldrinks and ice?
We have a bar at the camp that stocks consumable ice, basic beers, liquor and cooldrinks. The bar is a cashless, credit card-only bar. Alternatively, if one of our vehicles is going to Aussenkehr we can purchase you cooldrinks and/or snacks (no alcoholic beverages) at Spar. You will need to supply the cash for these purchases. We will purchase what the store has available and return your change with a slip from Spar. You can pre-order drinks and consumable ice from the bar to be delivered at resupply.
- Can I pay for goods with ZAR (South African Rand) in Namibia?Namibia’s national currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD). It was linked to the South African Rand on a one-to-one exchange rate, howeverfrom 1 April 2024 you will no longer be able to pay for your purchases in Namibia with ZAR.
- When is the best time to fish on the Orange River?
The best months for fishing would be September and October. Or when the water is on a lower stable level for a long time.
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