Cruise on Vaal River

Q: Your recent reference to the cruisers on Knysna lagoon got us thinking as to whether there is anything similar on the Vaal River that we can use for a weekend. If there isn't, perhaps someone could think of starting up such a business. - Les Koch

A: I know of at least one such service, called Old Willow No. 7 Houseboat Charters. It is based at the Vaal Barrage area on river near Vanderbijlpark, about an hour's drive from Johannesburg. The houseboats can accommodate a maximum of five people and the daily rate ranges from R695 to R1095, depending on season. The company can be contacted at telephone 016-973-1729 or via their website: www.riverhouseboats.co.za.