One thing is for sure, no rapids! This 2.5 day, 40km trail is a relaxing river kayak along the Berg River suitable for the entire family. River kayaking opens up a whole world of exploration, and it's an exciting way to enjoy the scenic beauty and incredible birdlife of the West Coast.
The Berg River is host to thousands of waterfowl every spring and the veld abounds in countless wild flowers during the late winter months. Many believe that in summer the mudflats and river edges support the highest diversity of waders along the Atlantic seaboard.
The trail starts with an overnight stay at the historic Kersefontein Farm near Hopefield, a working wheat and cattle farm in the rugged Sandveld. The Melck family has owned Kersefontein since 1770, and the sense of history is palpable.
After a hearty breakfast, paddlers follow the Berg, past reed beds, trees, and pastoral landscapes to Cloeteskraal Farm for the second overnight in basic but comfortable riverside chalets.
The trail ends at the famous "Bokkomlaan" in Velddrif, where boats lie moored while pelicans the size of Merino Sheep laze on the far bank of the estuary.
Kersefontein
Time your arrival at Kersefontein for mid-afternoon. Meet your guide, explore the working farm, laze on the grass next to the riverbanks or go for a short paddle to warm up for tomorrow. For the energetic we can organize to drop you and your river guide upstream for a few hours paddle down to Kersefontein.
Pre-dinner drinks in the farm bar are followed by a hearty supper in the Victorian dining room with your charismatic host.
Kersefontein – Cloeteskraal (20.5km, 2-3 hours)
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Enjoy an early farm breakfast before joining your guide for your morning paddle to Cloeteskraal. If the river is flowing fast after the rains you can virtually float down the river, if there is not much water and the tide is coming in you'll have to work a bit harder, but there is no rush and you can rest as often as you like. Tall blue gum trees line the first stretch. Watch out for the fish eagles and the kingfishers perched in the branches over the water. The second stretch opens up to cultivated farmlands stretching out on either side, with beautiful mountains, sometimes snowcapped, in the background. If the rivers in flood you can even canoe across the fields! A pleasant paddle it may be but the riverside chalets at Cloeteskraal are a welcome sight. Even better is the late lunch snoek braai waiting for you, not to mention the afternoon snooze. Fortified against mosquitoes take a late afternoon stroll, go bird watching or just laze the day away. An array of tasty local dishes for dinner and it is time to flop into bed for a sound night's sleep. |
Cloeteskraal – Bokkomlaan, Velddrif (18.5km, 2-3hours)
Breakfast and a good cup of coffee finds you back in your river kayak. Today the river gets a little narrower and the reed beds seem taller, enough to give you a sense of pleasant isolation but not enough to block out the homes and farms on the rising banks. As you get closer to Velddrif it gets busier, houses are more common, you can hear the trucks as they roar past on the R27 and you catch sight of the rail bridge.
The river begins to braid as you near your destination, just keep right and you can't get lost. Perhaps one of the most beautiful scenic sights on this stretch are the high, lush banks and homes overlooking the river as you enter Velddrif.
Before you enter the town itself you reach Bokkomlaan and the end of your day's paddle. When the 'harders' are running this is where the locals hang their fish to dry and the 'laan' is filled with the hustle and bustle of fisherfolk.
When the fish aren't running the jetties are quiet and tranquil, but the quirky signs and latent energy hint at what is to come. If you are interested in birds, ask your driver to stop off at the mudflats in front of the hotel or visit the saltpans to see the flamingos before heading back to Kersefontein and your car.
