Kleinemonde West River Canoe Trail
2 Days & 1 Night Canoe & Hiking Trail

Our canoe trail is a self-guided adventure and the price includes the hire of canoes, lifejackets and hikers accommodation. Sleep over in Nyala Game Reserve (no dangerous game) and paddle back the next day. Accommodation consists of 2 dormitories with double bunks and mattresses.

Canoeists must supply all their own food, beverages, toiletries, utensils and sleeping bags.

The Kleinemonde West River Canoe Trail is situated 15km from Port Alfred on the East London side of the R72.

Experience the beauty of the river, which is not tidal, while you paddle in our comfortable canoes to Lily Pad overnight hut, an easy ±8km paddle.

Paddling up river look out for spoonbills, ducks, herons, cormorants on the river banks at first, then as the river narrows, you may see different kingfishers ( the Giant, Pied, Half-collared, Malachite & perhaps the Pygmy). Listen for the call of the resident fish eagles, knysna louries flying above you, groups of red-knobbed coots or dabchicks diving ahead as you go. Look for bushbuck drinking at the water’s edge or an otter playing in the water.

Just beyond the 8km mark, the canoes are pulled onto the river bank, then a ±3km hike with your backpacks to ‘Lily Pad’ overnight hut, rustic but comfortable with hot water donkey-boiler for the outdoor showers, wooden bunks with mattresses, covered lapa with sink, braai grid, kettle on a tripod over the fireplace. The timber deck overlooks the river for relaxing and listening to the birds, you might even hear the narina trogon, or owls in the evening. There is plenty of game to see as you walk around Nyala Valley Game Reserve – zebra, bushbuck, common duiker, kudu, nyala, impala, wildebeest, giraffe and families of warthog.

We supply 6 canoes and can accommodate up to 12 canoeists.