Scientists Brave SA's Mightiest River to Kayak from Source To
Aquatic ecosystems The Orange River forms a green artery of life through the harsh and arid desert along the border of South Africa and Namibia. Courtesy Senqu2SeaCourtesy team Scientists brave SA’s mightiest river to kayak from source to sea When Irrigation Department Director, hile not as substantial to undertake rare extensive field Dr Alfred Dale Lewis, explored the lower as its cousin, the research. “The Orange is the iconic Zambezi, to the north, South African river – long, ancient reaches of the Orange River in December SouthW Africa’s largest river has and traversing varied and incredibly 1913 he walked most of the 400 km-long always captured the imagination of beautiful scenery, from grass moun- journey in one of the hottest years on those who gazed upon it. Local Khoi tain highlands to rocky desert. We named it the Gariep, meaning ‘big wanted to spend an extended period record. Now nearly a century later, three water’ or ‘great river’, while the San’s in nature, experiencing a long rather young researchers of the University of name for it meant ‘Dragon River’. It than a technically difficult adven- Cape Town (UCT) have completed a similar was European commander, Colonel ture,” explains the team. Robert Gordon, who gave the river adventure, traversing South Africa’s its ‘royal’ name, naming the river VALUABLE RESEARCH mightiest river in kayaks from its source after Dutch ruler, Prince William of in the Lesotho mountains to its mouth on Orange, 300 years ago. hile enjoying the scenery For Masters graduate Sam Jack, Wthe team also took time to the West Coast of South Africa.
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