The Palmiet River tumbles through the Fynbos covered mountains of the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, just outside Kleinmond, about an hour’s drive from Cape Town. This pristine natural environment forms the backdrop to our Palmiet River Experience. A friendly stream during the summer months, winter rainfall turns the river into an exciting white-water adventure. Our trips are designed so that we can offer our clients an exciting experience in both seasons and enables us to run almost all year round.
Gravity Adventure pioneered the Palmiet River and have been running it for over 15 years now. We can truly say that we are ‘the original and the best’ and that newer operators on the river don’t even come close. We are privileged to be a licensed operator on this awesome river.
At medium and high-water levels, we offer thrilling white-water rafting in two-person inflatable ‘crocodiles’ or four-person rafts and at low levels we offer trips on inflatable ‘gekos’. This innovative inflatable craft was specially developed for the Palmiet and is now used countrywide. If used in a reclining position, it provides a comfortable way to drift lazily along the pools and channels of the river and if used facing forward, an exciting way of tackling the small rapids.
The Palmiet River Experience is suitable for all ages and skill levels – we provide qualified and registered guides with an intimate knowledge of the river and its environment and instruction on how to steer your craft. And since all of the rapids are optional, the trip is even suitable for those who prefer a more relaxed excursion.
In the high-water months (winter and spring), when we are rafting, we run the longer section, starting in the Kogelberg Nature Reserve. At lower water tubing levels, we complete a shorter section of the river. All boating and safety equipment is provided including PFDs (‘lifejackets’), gloves, paddle jackets and helmets. Wetsuits can be hired if you don’t have your own. Since this excursion takes place in a sensitive natural environment, group size is limited to 20 people per group day. We can run two rafting groups simultaneously. The trip price includes permits, all boating & safety equipment, snacks, transport and APA qualified guides. It doesn’t include the CapeNature Conservation fee (currently R50.00 per adult and payable on entry) – if you have a WildCard or are staying in the reserve, you don’t pay this.
CapeNature have recently redeveloped their accommodation and of offer state of the art ‘Eco accommodation” in the heart of the Kogelberg. This is an ideal base for a weekend away or a corporate breakaway and we can arrange all catering as well as additional activities such as hiking, abseiling and Mountain biking. We can also arrange all other accommodation required (from camping to guesthouses to luxury hotels). Luxury conference facilities can also be arranged. Minimum group size is 4, max is 20 (but we can do more than one group simultaneously) Ask about our discounts.