You probably know the expression “We hold fast, come hell or high water? Well, it is not hell but we have recently had high water and as the waters are currently rising again, so we are expecting more or the same! Cold feet? Wet blanket? Hell, No! At Khamkirri we are coping with the water and as we are used to adventure, we believe that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. Watch this space as when the water recedes we will clean up, mop out and come back stronger than ever.
So, what has really been happening at Khamkirri during the past month?
After Christmas around 27 December we realised there was trouble brewing upstream as the water levels started rising alarmingly. By the first week in January the floods had inundated us and much of the low-lying areas along the river banks in the area. We had to abandon Khamkirri to the whim of the mighty Orange and could not reach it for more than a week. We were however able to get an aerial view and it was not very reassuring. (see above). Once the waters had receded enough for us to return, we realised that we had our work cut out for us to restore things as they had been. The water level over the deck had risen to 1.2m while around 1m of muddy flo
odwaters had swirled through our riverfront chalets. In the admin buildings and kitchen the highwater mark was around a foot high, just high enough to reach the electrical plugs in the walls. We moved in last week to start mopping up and assess the damage, only to hear in the last two days that water levels are rising rapidly again and today (2 Feb) the levels are
approaching those of our January watery visitation. We will defer the damage assessment until the Orange River allows us the privilege. (Has anyone seen my water wings..?)
“No smiling, Boet, remember you are in the midst of a disaster”
The reporters from Huisgenoot thought it would be inappropriate for me to smile for the picture they took of me after they interviewed me about the flood damage at Khamkirri and the area in general.
I thought that I struck a stoic, confident and smiling pose for the camera when I was told,” Mmm, better not smile, huh. Doesn’t go with the mes
sage of the story”!
Riverfront Risks
So why do we risk the occasional wrath of the Orange to make our camp so close to its banks? It is our choice to offer our clients this remarkable experience as the river offers both adventure and respite from the Kalahari heat when circumstances are normal. Building way above the flood water level would simply not be the same so instead we take our chances and pay insurance against flood damage and loss of business income. So although the Orange River brings life to the area, it occasionally also takes and in our position we have to way up the odds and make our peace with the whims of nature. In the interest of our guests that are looking for unparalleled adventure, our beautiful river certainly provides this 365 days a year and 366 days in a leap year! So come and see this awesome place for yourself as the adventure awaits you……….
Watch this space and hope to see you soon!
Wet, wild greetings from Khamkirri,
Gawie Nieuwoudt
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