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General Tour Information

Black Eagle Canoe Trail | Venturer Canoe & Hiking Trail |
Customised Tours for Groups | General Information | Tours

General Trip Information
Accomodation
Climate
Travel
Personal Safety

General Trip Information

Pre-Trip Assembly.

Each group should assemble at approximately 5pm on the evening prior to the start of a trip unless otherwise arranged. This is to allow us to make sure that everyone is present and accounted for and so that equipment can be assigned and pre-trip briefings can be made well in advance of starting the trip. Trips usually start at 7am so there is insufficient time to perform these duties the following morning. This procedure is especially true for all canoe and hiking trips. The evening briefing is also a good way to get to know everyone on the trip and depending on the trip, is usually accompanied by tasting of local wines and a traditional South African 'braai'. You stay the night at our campsite and we leave early the next morning.

Accomodation

Space for tents and use of ablution facilities (showers and toilets) are provided free at our campsites.

Climate

Around Southern Africa

The climate varies dramatically around Southern Africa from desert and semi-desert in the Northern Cape to hot wet tropical conditions in KwaZulu-Natal. While we do provide general weather information pertaining to each tour or trip, it is advisable to consult weather broadcasts closer to your trip date to make 100% sure.

At the Orange River

Typical semi-desert conditions apply - i.e. hot dry days and cool to cold nights. Depending on the season, most days are sunny and whilst there is occasional cloud cover, rainfall of any volume is infrequent. The temperatures below are a guide only, it is recommended that you check the weather reports for the Upington and Augrabies region closer to the time of a trip. It is always advisable to bring a high factor sunscreen and sensible clothing - only a fool would wander around without a shirt for 5 days in the 40° African sun.

Summer
Day temperatures usually range between 26°C to 38°C with the occasional spell of over 40°C. Night temperatures average 20°C neccesitate only a light sleeping bag or blanket.
Winter
Day temperatures usually range between 17°C to 23°C with night temperatures dropping to 0°C (freezing).
Spring & Autumn
Day temperatures usually range between 18°C to 26°C with early morning temperatures between 8°C and 13°

Travel

By Road

Our main basecamp is situated on the Blouputs grape farm area on the banks of the Orange River. It is approximately equidistant from Cape Town or Johannesburg - a distance of around 940km depending on the path chosen. At least 10 hours should be set aside for driving time and in the interests of your and other road users safety speeding is not recommended. Road directions are available and would be provided to all booked clients. Large group bookings have the option of bus hire which can be organised by Adventure Runners directly or via a reputable transport service.

Intercape Bus Services (schedules as at 6 Jan 2002)

From Johannesburg to Upington and Upington to Johannesburg - departs daily at 07:15 - R250
From Cape Town to Upington and Upington to Cape Town - departs daily at 07:15 - R200

Please note that Adventure Runners cannot take any responsibility for changes to the pricing or schedules of third party transport providers.

By Air

A viable alternative to road travel would be flying. Upington has a large airport and there are regular flights to and from major centres every day. Transfers to and from basecamp to the airport can be arranged if sufficient notice is given. Please check with your travel agent for schedules and pricing.

South African Airways (schedules as of 6 Jan 2001)

From Johannesburg to Upington - departs daily at 06:15
From Cape Town to Upington - departs daily at 15:30
From Upington to Johannesburg - departs daily at 17:30
From Upington to Cape Town - departs daily at 08:10
Pricing ranges depending on availability and booking notice - same day booking approximately R2500 per person return.

Please note that Adventure Runners cannot take any responsibility for changes to the pricing or schedules of third party transport providers.

Personal Safety

Whilst it is the nature of adventure holidays to be potentially more "dangerous" than a traditional holiday, Adventure Runners takes every effort to ensure that trips and tours are run as safely as possible. It is the responsibility of each person to make sure that they conduct themselves safely and per the safety instructions of experienced guides and tour organisers. To this end, each person is required to sign an indemnity before he or she will be allowed to join a trip. For each trip run, Adventure Runners takes out medical rescue cover provided by an approved local medical rescue service (usually MRI).


We currently offer group discounts - for every ten places booked, you get one place free on any tour offered. Check out our memories pages for pictures taken on tours and trails we have run.
		General Tour Information Black Eagle Canoe Trail \| Venturer Canoe & Hiking Trail \| Customised Tours for Groups \| General Information \| Tours General Trip Information Accomodation Climate Travel Personal Safety General Trip Information Pre-Trip Assembly. Each group should assemble at approximately 5pm on the evening prior to the start of a trip unless otherwise arranged. This is to allow us to make sure that everyone is present and accounted for and so that equipment can be assigned and pre-trip briefings can be made well in advance of starting the trip. Trips usually start at 7am so there is insufficient time to perform these duties the following morning. This procedure is especially true for all canoe and hiking trips. The evening briefing is also a good way to get to know everyone on the trip and depending on the trip, is usually accompanied by tasting of local wines and a traditional South African 'braai'. You stay the night at our campsite and we leave early the next morning. Accomodation Space for tents and use of ablution facilities (showers and toilets) are provided free at our campsites. Climate Around Southern Africa The climate varies dramatically around Southern Africa from desert and semi-desert in the Northern Cape to hot wet tropical conditions in KwaZulu-Natal. While we do provide general weather information pertaining to each tour or trip, it is advisable to consult weather broadcasts closer to your trip date to make 100% sure. At the Orange River Typical semi-desert conditions apply - i.e. hot dry days and cool to cold nights. Depending on the season, most days are sunny and whilst there is occasional cloud cover, rainfall of any volume is infrequent. The temperatures below are a guide only, it is recommended that you check the weather reports for the Upington and Augrabies region closer to the time of a trip. It is always advisable to bring a high factor sunscreen and sensible clothing - only a fool would wander around without a shirt for 5 days in the 40° African sun. Summer Day temperatures usually range between 26°C to 38°C with the occasional spell of over 40°C. Night temperatures average 20°C neccesitate only a light sleeping bag or blanket. Winter Day temperatures usually range between 17°C to 23°C with night temperatures dropping to 0°C (freezing). Spring & Autumn Day temperatures usually range between 18°C to 26°C with early morning temperatures between 8°C and 13° Travel By Road Our main basecamp is situated on the Blouputs grape farm area on the banks of the Orange River. It is approximately equidistant from Cape Town or Johannesburg - a distance of around 940km depending on the path chosen. At least 10 hours should be set aside for driving time and in the interests of your and other road users safety speeding is not recommended. Road directions are available and would be provided to all booked clients. Large group bookings have the option of bus hire which can be organised by Adventure Runners directly or via a reputable transport service. Intercape Bus Services (schedules as at 6 Jan 2002) From Johannesburg to Upington and Upington to Johannesburg - departs daily at 07:15 - R250 From Cape Town to Upington and Upington to Cape Town - departs daily at 07:15 - R200 Please note that Adventure Runners cannot take any responsibility for changes to the pricing or schedules of third party transport providers. By Air A viable alternative to road travel would be flying. Upington has a large airport and there are regular flights to and from major centres every day. Transfers to and from basecamp to the airport can be arranged if sufficient notice is given. Please check with your travel agent for schedules and pricing. South African Airways (schedules as of 6 Jan 2001) From Johannesburg to Upington - departs daily at 06:15 From Cape Town to Upington - departs daily at 15:30 From Upington to Johannesburg - departs daily at 17:30 From Upington to Cape Town - departs daily at 08:10 Pricing ranges depending on availability and booking notice - same day booking approximately R2500 per person return. Please note that Adventure Runners cannot take any responsibility for changes to the pricing or schedules of third party transport providers. Personal Safety Whilst it is the nature of adventure holidays to be potentially more "dangerous" than a traditional holiday, Adventure Runners takes every effort to ensure that trips and tours are run as safely as possible. It is the responsibility of each person to make sure that they conduct themselves safely and per the safety instructions of experienced guides and tour organisers. To this end, each person is required to sign an indemnity before he or she will be allowed to join a trip. For each trip run, Adventure Runners takes out medical rescue cover provided by an approved local medical rescue service (usually MRI).


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