When the cadets arrived at the Pongola River they found eight two-man canoes waiting for them on the Riverbank. They paired up and took to the water – having to paddle upstream towards the towering Jozini dam – which proved very challenging!
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| All ready? Let's go! |
Several capsizes later, the going was much easier until the cadets reached ‘The Big Drop’ …
Magnus takes up the story:
“We came upon the death-defying, 3ft drop which formed the weir we needed to pass. Shrill, high-pitched screams rang out in the gorge as Jared went over the edge (the rest of us took it in our stride) but once we had passed that mountainous challenge the following rapids and currents caused little hesitation.
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| The 'BIG' Drop! The Weir on the Pongola River |
We arrived in our own little camp, situated in roughly the centre of nowhere, and promptly set about bathing and mud fighting, all the while on the lookout for hungry crocs!
As the darkness closed in we cast rods out into the river … no Tiger Fish we caught but we did reel in a small sharp-toothed catfish. Too small to eat but still an achievement!” - Magnus
As the Cadets sat around the campfire in the evening they enjoyed listening to the night sounds of Africa and of the insects that were filling the air.
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| Beautiful, idyllic African River: The Pongola |
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| Pongola River Camp |
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| Keeping warm ... and tea! |
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| Sunset over Pongola River viewed from camp |
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