My travels along the southern coastline of Africa have brought me to one of the sweetest spots on the entire sub-continent. If you love outdoor adventuring and particularly water sports, then canoeing up the Keurbooms river will appeal to you.
This is perhaps my favorite outdoor activity, and I was able to get hold of a two-seater canoe for a few hours and explore up the river as the ocean tide pushed upstream.
The Keurbooms river is one of two rivers that run into the lagoon at the town of Plettenberg Bay, the other being the Bitou river. It's possible to launch a canoe just beside the main N2 highway, at the bridge. You'll find a camp site which is just epic, right on the water's edge, where you can stay for a week or a month.
The river runs down to the lagoon, and finally out to sea, which makes for an awesome bit of paddling. I'll do that stretch in a future adventure. Today my paddling takes me upstream, in between the steep and narrow gorge that acts as the channel for the Keurbooms river.
It's amazingly calm, flat and still. Some afternoons the wind picks up and makes paddling austere but today is just fine. There is no other way upstream other than paddling, since roads and paths are impossible.
The rising tide is noticeable as it pushes upward from the ocean via the lagoon. It makes paddling effortless. The water even tastes slightly salty.
This could be any remote part of the planet, with its lush vegetation and temperate climate. I'm in my element, drifting quietly along the water, which is a rich, dark, golden orange brown shade.
It's possible to spend the whole day on this stretch of river which is a few kilometers long, before reaching an impassable point. It's origins are of course much further inland in the hills and mountains.
Along the stream there are rare occasional little sandy beaches, just a slither of a sand bank, where it's possible to land the canoe, next to the steep wall of rock that forms the ravine.
Bigger motor boats can also access this part of the river and occasionally pass by, not often, except in holiday season. Most are private and there is also the odd small tour group.
Most of the time I find myself alone with the place to myself. There are places along the river to make fires for cooking if you wish to spend the day. And at nightfall you can paddle back to the camp site and your caravan, camper home or tent.
I try to come canoeing whenever I'm in the area or get an opportunity on my travels. This region of the south African shoreline is called the Garden Route and it is by far the best for nature, outdoor water activities, fine weather and beautiful flora and fauna, all combined.
If you ever get the chance to travel this far south on the globe, then be sure to look up the Garden Route and this little river for the best that Africa has to offer.
Photos my own, published onto the Hive blockchain from my mobile device to document the natural beauty of our planet.
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