EARLY RISERS TRAVEL
OVERVIEW
If you're craving true wilderness, this one’s for you.
The Kalahari Wilderness Drift takes you deep into the remote stretches of South Africa’s Orange River, where the world fades and the signal bars disappear. With no mobile reception and nothing but wild desert landscapes around you, it’s a fly fishing escape like no other. You'll drift down the river for five full days, targeting hard-fighting Smallmouth Yellowfish and — if luck and focus align — the elusive Largemouth. Each day is spent on drift boats, with two guests per guide, moving between wild river camps where everything is taken care of by a dedicated support crew.
You don’t set up camp or worry about logistics — your river team handles it all, so you can stay locked in on the water. At night, you’ll sleep under the stars in your own canvas swag, listen to the sounds of the river, and reconnect with the kind of simplicity most people only dream of. It’s raw, remote, and absolutely unforgettable.
The Kalahari Wilderness Drift is a wild camping and drifting expedition.
Your journey begins and ends at the Base Camp, a comfortable riverside site with shaded areas, hot showers, and flushing toilets. But the rest of the week is spent out there on the water.
Each day, the river guides set up a new fly camp downriver, with single swag tents for each guest and no fixed infrastructure in sight. There are no showers, but a swim in the warm Orange River with a splash of biodegradable soap does the trick after a long, hot day. Meals are well thought out and genuinely delicious — cooked fireside, with all food, ice, and gear carefully portaged to last the full drift. There’s always hot coffee in the morning, and drinks (not included) should be brought ahead of time — cans only, no glass.
To escape the midday sun, a Bedouin-style shade tent is pitched for lunch, offering a cool break before drifting on. It’s raw, unplugged, and brings with it a sense of coonectedness to the natural world and the people on the trip that is difficult to describe in words.
THE FISHING
Fishing is done from custom drift boats, each with two anglers and a dedicated fly fishing guide. Smallmouth Yellowfish are the most common encounter — aggressive, hard-fighting, and usually happy to eat. You will often find yourself casting near structure and as close to the bank as possible with streamers and crab patterns and feeling them hit you as the fly sinks within range. This accuracy required adds to the experience as you notice your own comfort level increase throughout the drift.
Largemouth Yellowfish are the more elusive target. They tend to hold in deeper water and require patience, stealth, and the right presentation. But when it happens, it’s one of the most rewarding freshwater experiences in Southern Africa.
Although the water can range from clear to slightly stained, more often than not you are casting at structure and likely holding areas rather than sighted fish. At points at the river that allow for it, the guides will often get you onto a rock or bank for you to cover nice runs on foot.
A mix of 5 to 7 wt rods, floating and intermediate lines, and a solid variety of streamers and crabs are a great starting point. A link with a fast sinking tip also recommned for fishing the deeper pools for the Largies. For a more detailed gear list, or to find out more about the fishing just get in touch — we’re happy to walk you through it.
GETTING THERE
The Kalahari Wilderness Drift takes place on a remote stretch of the Orange River, near the small settlement of Onseepkans in South Africa’s Northern Cape.
Most guests fly into Upington Airport (UTN) via Johannesburg (JNB), followed by a 5.5-hour drive to Base Camp, where the trip begins and ends. A shared group shuttle from Upington can be arranged, or guests may choose to self-drive.
Overland transfers are also possible from Cape Town or Johannesburg (approximately 10–12 hours). For these longer drives, it’s common to break the journey with an overnight stop, which the team can help arrange if needed.
LET'SFISH
Submission Successful!
Please check your email, if you don't receive an email from us within 10 minutes you may have entered your email address incorrectly.