The Karatara River is a whitewater run in the Southern Cape region of South Africa, rated Grade 3-5 depending on water levels and the section chosen. The river originates in the mountains and offers several distinct trip options, ranging from a long day trip to a full multi-section outing.

One popular starting point is up in the mountains, paddling down to the 7 Passes bridge. Shortly after the bridge there is a waterfall that can be run, and a trail leads from this point back up to the road, providing a convenient take-out option. Below this waterfall lies a gorge section that concludes with a larger waterfall drop. After the gorge, the river becomes heavily choked with dangerous channels and requires significant bushwhacking to reach the lakes below. For this reason, paddlers are advised to exit at the end of the gorge and hike back to the 7 Passes road rather than continuing downstream, particularly if the goal is to run the second waterfall.

The Plaat River is the main tributary to the Karatara and joins it from the Outeniqua mountains. At their confluence, paddlers encounter the Karatara's biggest rapids, which reach solid Grade 5 at high water levels. At high volume, the Plaat-Karatara combination becomes a demanding creek run with numerous must-make moves. Both the Plaat and the full Karatara sections require a full day to complete safely.

Water levels are a critical factor on this river. Timing must be precise, particularly for the upper mountain sections, as conditions change significantly with flow. The lower sections below the gorge are described as unpleasant and hazardous regardless of water level, due to choked channels and difficult terrain. Paddlers should plan accordingly and be prepared for long days on the water, with appropriate logistics for shuttles or hikes back to road access points.