by Donald Paul - Managing Editor, SA City Life

Orange River Canoe Adventure...

This trip will take you into some of the most spectacular landscapes in Africa. Felix Unite  has a camp in Namibia called Provenance, just across the South African border. You can either meet them there or, if you are setting off from Cape Town, go up with them in one of their minibuses. The road journey takes about eight hours but it's well worth it. When you arrive, the bar overlooking the river awaits and a delicious braai (BBQ) is laid on.

In the morning, the usual river safety instructions are run through and you are shown how to pack your Mohawk canoe so that your gear doesn't get wet and the boat won't sink. It's a leisurely paddle. The river passes through cliffs, farmland and desert and finally into the Richtersveld National Park. The birdlife is stunning and the views awesome.

And yes, there are some good rapids...and there are bound to be some "swimmers" among your group. But it's like skiing: you haven't really started until you take a little tumble.

Trips run all year round and the sun is hot, even in winter. Take loads of sun block, a big hat that you can fix securely to your head, and drink lots of water.

Whatever you do, try to make this trip.

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