Karoo Gariep Orange River Canoe and sport fishing experience

Experience a combination of authentic Karoo meals, hospitality, desert wildlife and world class fishing and adrenaline activities on the Orange River with our four night & five day package.

Experience a combination of authentic Karoo meals, hospitality, desert wildlife and world class fishing and adrenaline activities on the Orange River. Explore the beauty and tranquillity of the Karoo and Orange River at Tzamenkomst River Lodge (Gariep). Share the hidden treasures of this arid landscape, which is a combination of sheep farming, game and unique fauna and flora (Bat eared fox, Cape Fox, Aardvark, Striped pole cat and Black footed cat).

River conditions continually change depending on the levels and discharge of water from Gariep & Vd Kloof. Conditions may be rapids + pools (smallies, muddies, carp, cat fish in rapids and large mouth yellows in pools or bank structure with bait fish fly patterns) or deeper flowing with islands and bays (large mouth yellows in deeper parts of river or bank structure with bait fish patterns, small mouth yellows along bank or riffles with nymphs or minkies and carp, cat fish, muddies in the bays with hopper dropper rigs). This beautiful stretch offers some of the best waters in South Africa for sport & fly fishing (catch & release) for large and small mouth yellows , birding and spectacular scenery.

We will use fishing kayaks to access to the fishing areas within the surrounding river areas.

Package includes:

Breakfast, lunch dinner
Limited soft drinks
Serviced accommodation
Guided fly-fishing

Excludes:

Fly fishing equipment
Flies
Alchaholic beverages
Transport to Tzamenkomst
Tips and gratuities
Travel Insurance

A camping and canoeing option will be added to this package in the near future.

Summer - October to April

Guides:

Your flyfishing will be hosted by experienced fly fishing guides from Sundowner Fly fishing Adventures.

Where:

Tzamenkomst River Lodge is located close to Gariep Town , South Africa (Karoo) , 630 km from Johannesburg. It is just off the N1 highway between Bloemfontein and Beaufort West. The fishing takes place on the Orange River, 15 km down river from Gariep Dam.

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1

Own transport to Karoo Gariep Nature Reserve. Late afternoon fly fishing for cat fish/carp or birding on Seekoei River. Dinner and “Shy 5” Night drive. Shared accommodation with en’ suite bathrooms.

Day 2

Depart after early breakfast with lodge transport for 80km drive to canoeing access point. Board canoes and spend the day fishing and birding on 2km river section. Packed lunch provided. Disembark and fish up to evening at tented river camp. Insane hopper dropper fishing for carp, barbel, mud fish in the bay by the camp. Delicious Karoo meal roasted on an open fire washed down with an ice cold beverage.

Day 3

Depart camp early after coffee and rusks to target prime fishing areas which are within 2 km of camp. Second night camping or river or option to return to guest house for hot shower and soft bed. Braai dinner. Watch the most amazing canopy of stars.

Day 4

If camping enjoy a coffee and rusks before early morning drive back to Karoo Gariep Reserve. Breakfast served before you leave to drive home OR Extra day canoe and full day fishing followed by overnight accom at Doringkloof Nature Reserve (optional extra)

Rates

(Minimum 2 & Max 6 guests. )

2 guests @ R17500pp
4-6 guests @ R13750 pp

Fly fishing guides included in above rate

Duration:

4 nights / 5 days

Includes:

Dinner, bed, breakfast
4,5 days fishing on foot and kayak (2 man polyprop) on the orange river (mineral water & soft drinks)
5 night accommodation at Tzamenkomst River Lodge
Experienced fly fishing guides
Public Liability Insurance

Excludes:

Transport to Tzamenkomst (Can be arranged on request)
Additional optional fly fishing guides
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks not specified
Travel Insurance
Tips, gratuities and items of a personal nature
Fly fishing equipment and flies (Can be arranged on request)

Other details:

We recommended a reasonable fitness level for rowing and fishing during the canoeing.
The Large mouth yellow fish is often regarded as "a fish of a 1000 casts. You will often be required to cast into the wind or master the backwards cast. We can assist with an evaluation and training prior to the trip if required.
Driving distance from Johannesburg (630 km/6 ½ hours)