kaaimans river cottage

Arrival
Guide

Before You Arrive

Everything you need to know to hit the ground running — or paddling.

What to Bring

The cottage is fully equipped for self-catering — kitchen, linen, towels, canoes, braai grid, the lot. Here's what to throw in the car:

  • 🔥 Braai wood — the deck deserves a proper fire
  • 🏖️ Beach towels — we provide bath towels, not beach towels
  • 🧴 Personal toiletries — soap, shampoo, the usual
  • 🧻 Extra loo rolls if you're a bigger group or staying more than a few nights
  • 🔦 A head torch — useful if you're out on the river after dark or walking back from the beach at dusk
  • 👟 Shoes that can get wet — not essential, but your feet will thank you
  • 🎣 Fishing rod if you want to fish — the river will supply the rest
  • 🐾 Pet food and bedding if bringing a four-legged family member
  • 😎 Your sense of adventure — non-negotiable

The Boats — Important How-Tos

Rasta will show you the ropes when you arrive (literally). But here's a quick primer so you arrive knowing what's what.

Mooring the Boat or Canoe

The most important thing to know: always anchor the boat out in the river, not tied close to shore. The Kaaimans is highly tidal and a boat tied at the bank will end up high and dry — or worse, swamped. Rasta will demonstrate on arrival. Watch the video below if you want to get ahead of the class.

The Golden Rule

Never untie the anchor from the boat. Ever. The anchor lives in the boat. This is non-negotiable and has caused expensive problems in the past when ignored.

Going to the Beach

Pull the craft up out of the water and throw the anchor on the sand above the waterline. If the tide comes in, the boat won't float away while you're building sandcastles.

Step by Step — Mooring at the Cottage or Jetty

  1. Hold the end of the mooring rope (the rope from the front of the boat)
  2. Take the anchor
  3. Push the boat out into the river and throw the anchor hard, beyond the boat
  4. Tie the boat to the pole or attachment point using the full length of the mooring rope

Note: Other people on the river sometimes tie their boats close to shore. Don't copy them — our jetty has large tidal variations and a boat tied close to the bank is asking for trouble.