At Riverbend, we measured a vertical water rise of nearly 10 centimeters per hour over the past few hours.
The 36-hour window after Bloemhof’s floodgate increase is closing in fast… and you can feel it slow, unstoppable, no mercy, no guarantees.
And now…
The real story begins:
While the mighty Vaal rages and races its way to the sea, we… well… we float. 
Today, my son showed South Africa exactly how to survive a flood Riverbend style:
One lilo
One loyal miniature Staffie paddling alongside
One calm heart
And one hell of a “Mudslide Whisperer” cocktail balancing the moment!
Behind him… the Panache ablution block still doing its proud job floating canopy and all, just like it was designed to.
Around him… 1210 kilometers of Vaal River muscle, stretched like a stubborn artery through our country roaring past farms, game reserves, tiny towns, big dreams, and tough hearts.
We don’t ignore it.
We respect it.
We live with it.
We drink in the sun, even when the waters rise.
Perspective check:
This river doesn’t just flood a campsite.
It floods the lives of thousands farmers, families, wildlife, every living thing along its banks.
It carries hope, destruction, rebirth… and today, a floating son and a loyal dog, refusing to let chaos steal their moment.
Oh, and by the way…
While we’re riding these waves with grace, guess what tried to crash the party earlier this week?
Yes you guessed it:
The Great Karen Tsunami of 2025
She came. She saw.
She conquered… a gravel municipal road.
She left us a 1-star Google review because, apparently, the rains didn’t consult her travel plans.
(She also left three bags of trash behind. Bless her.)
Meanwhile…
Check out Riverbend’s Google reviews.
90% glowing 5-stars.
From real travelers.
Real adventurers.
Real people who know that life like the river doesn’t always roll out a red carpet.
Sometimes, you pack a lilo, mix a drink, float like a boss, and say,
“Bring it on, Mother Nature.”
Because here at Riverbend Camp, or shall we say “Lagoon”
We don’t panic.
We paddle.
And when the waters retreat, and the fields green up again, Riverbend will still be here a little wiser, a little stronger, a whole lot prouder.
