The much abused Vaal, South Africa’s second largest river after the Orange, is a massive flow of water in summer. Here a raft crosses calm straits as the river flows through the Vredefort Dome meteorite impact crater.

This is one of the oldest rivers on Earth and also the only major river that crosses a meteorite crater. Most South Africans don’t appreciate its beauty because it has a reputation as a polluted industrial wastewater conduit.

That’s true above the Vaal Barrage, especially around Ekhuruleni. But below the Barrage, rapids and reedbanks do much to clean the water. At the worst times, stagnant water breeds a lot of blue green algae. There are many problems with water quality and exploitation of the resource but they can be solved before the whole river is destroyed.

Meanwhile, fishermen, rafters and picnickers along the banks love the river for what it offers. Great scenery, good catches, and lots of excitement in the rapids. As we head into autumn the weather mellows and the colours become more vivid. 

To float downriver is a dream…