Paddling near Upington, Northern Cape

Upington sits on the banks of the Orange River in South Africa's Northern Cape, and the river is the heartbeat of paddling in this region. Long, wide stretches of flatwater make it accessible to canoeists and kayakers of all levels, while sections further downstream — including around Augrabies Falls National Park — push into serious whitewater territory. Multi-day canoe camping trips are a fixture of the local outdoor scene, with operators running routes through the Green Kalahari landscape.