Page 356 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

354  THE ARID INTERIOR

The Orange River

South Africa is predominantly a dry country, with precipitation Johannesburg
decreasing from east to west and only 8 per cent of rainfall Upington
reaching the few major rivers. Also known in parts of South Springbok
Africa as the Gariep River, the mighty Orange and its tributaries
drain 47 per cent of the country. For much of the 2,450-km Cape Town
(1,530-mile) long journey from its source in northeast Lesotho
to the Atlantic Ocean, the Orange meanders across the arid
plains of the Northern Cape. Here, wooden wheels draw the
precious water from canals to sustain a narrow, fertile corridor
of vineyards, date palms, lucerne and cotton fields, tightly
wedged between the river and the unrelenting desert.
The IAi-IAis/Richtersveld
Transfrontier Park is
located in a jagged,
mountainous landscape
where water is scarce. The
hardy vegetation relies on
the early morning fog that
rolls in from the Atlantic.
Alexander Bay is the site of large-
scale diamond dredging operations. The Fish River Canyon lies
The nearby Orange River estuary is a across the Namibian border.
wetland renowned for its splendid
birdlife.
Keetmanshoop Warmbad
|Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld
Transfrontier Park
Hom Onseepkans
Rosh
Pinah
Restricted |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld
Access
Transfrontier Park Haib
Khubus Dabenoris
Noordoewer Goodhouse
Vioolsdrif
Oranjemund
Brak
Alexander Bay
Springbok
Vioolsdrif, a small settle ment Springbok
and the border post with Namibia,
serves as a departure point for
canoe trips down the Orange River. 0 kilometres 50
0 miles 25

Orange River canoe trips (see p418) are
very popular and several Cape Town-
based adventure com panies offer
exciting multi-day tours that include
camping along the river banks.

354-355_EW_South_Africa.indd 354 25/05/17 2:48 pm