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KZN parks were offering similar trips on the Umfolozi river around 10 years ago , I wonder what are the chances of it happening in KNP , it would obviously be seasonal and at short notice after good rains upstream .

If so , would there be interest amongst the forumites ?

ndloti, I would be up for something like that - done it in Uganda and it was fantastic.

Sounds interesting

Sounds good, possibly as part of a trail or something?

Could be a lot of fun. 95% portage in some seasons, and wild unstoppable quick trip to the Indian Ocean in others.

This could be a limited activity offered by Sanparks (not private concession holders like safari vehicle operators) in a similar manner to day walks , when there is sufficient water after rains upstream .
Being transported by the stream or rowing , no motors , no noise , portering from time to time , total silence .
I have done it on Lake St Lucia , in Kruger would be exquisite .
I can imagine the Sabie river would be navigable for fair stretches , possibly Olifants and Letaba rivers ?

I think they might not like it at all, and this would be my biggest worry, all those rivers have such an abundance of them.

Out of curiosity (and as Ndloti made mention), which river would be most suitable for such an event? Sabie, Olifants, Letaba...

DGK

I think it's a great idea. I've done plenty of game viewing and fishing on the Zambezi and it's a brilliant way to go.

Re the hippos... Hmmmmm. I've always felt safer in something with a motor, as opposed to a canoe in the presence of hippos and crocs (although my friends did manage to sink their ski boat in the Zambezi once and we all had wade to shore!).

I have thought of a few problems.

1. How do you get back to where you came from, if your whole party takes part.
2. If the craft is upended by hippos and the participants are eaten by crocs, how do they know which ones to shoot.
3. Do you portage over/around dam walls
4. Do you portage in low water/rapids areas
5. Would you do single or multiple craft trips
6. What would be the minimum age permitted, or the maximum.
7. What would you do for food, ablution stops etc

1) Drop off and pick up by Sanparks .
2) Shoot the one that is screaming - the one that the hippo / crocodile has in its jaws .
3) Day trip , so maybe 4 per dinghy who can carry .
4) This would only take place when there are high water levels .
5) Either
6) I would assume as per walking trails (12 - 60 ?)
7) As per day walks .

Seriously what about crocs, wouldn't want to swim in those rivers with crocs in them

I dont like the idea at all.I think if that is allowed the crocs and hippos are going to be moved from the river because if someone got injured that poor animals would probably be .Imagine going over the sabie bridge and people on a dingy next to you.
People complain about fishing but not about this I cant really see a difference in that.Like it was said in the fishing thread what next?shooting impala with paint balls?next we know there are wake boarding competitions on the rivers/dams!!

Im with big5spotter

Ndloti, are you se-ri-ous?

Are those in favour above seriously considering and supporting this proposal? As you may know by now, I am vehemently against any further human (read alien ) intrusion in the Park - by angling rod, by boat, by dinghy, by ski, by foot, by surf, by whatever.

May I suggest that you consider the reformed, dried-up Mavumbye dam on the S90 for this event?