The Olifants River in Kruger National Park (Limpopo) is a high-volume river that crosses the park and passes through the Olifants Gorge wilderness area. The paddling section covers approximately 12 km and features rapids graded between 1 and 3, occasionally reaching grade 4 depending on water levels. The low gradient means the river moves through wave trains, standing waves, pour-overs, and holes rather than steep technical drops. The trip is accessible to both novice and experienced rafters, though participants must be at least 16 years old and groups require a minimum of four paddlers.

The gorge setting means the river travels through remote terrain with no road access nearby, and the surrounding Kruger National Park environment brings the possibility of wildlife encounters. Anti-poaching patrols operate on the river, particularly in the Olifants River Gorge section near the Mozambique border.

A separate and considerably more demanding section of an Olifants River exists near Citrusdal in the Western Cape, known as the Visgat. This 40 km run cuts through the Groot Wintershoek wilderness and is rated grade 4 to 5, best suited to a creek boat. The majority of the technical action is concentrated in the first 15 km, which contains numerous class 4 rapids and several class 5 rapids.

Some sections are completely walled in, making portaging impossible, though one mandatory portage exists within the first 3 km — identifiable by a cottage on river left with a zipline into a large pool; paddlers should exit on river right before the current accelerates. The run is best completed as an overnight trip given its length and character.

Water levels are typically paddleable for a short window two or three days after significant rainfall in the Ceres area; flooding conditions should be avoided. Access requires a Cape Nature permit as well as permission from the landowner at Glendonald Farm for the put-in at the low-level bridge. The take-out is at the road near the Citrusdal Warm Baths. The gorge walls become very tight in places, and the combination of pool-drop and continuous sections demands solid technical skills.