Kayakers achieve historic first-ever descent of the mysterious Ivindo river
Kayak pros Adrian Mattern and Dane Jackson go on an adventure down Gabon's Ivindo River with an elite kayak crew, exploring remote waterfalls and pioneering descents using drones.
Untouched nature, wild animals and far away from any civilization: hardly any region in the world is as majestic and, at the same time, as varied as the area around the Ivindo. The river meanders for several hundred kilometers through one of the most beautiful rainforest regions in Africa, from north-east Gabon to the south-west of the country. In the middle of it all: four fearless kayakers who will be the first people to attempt a descent of some of these uncharted rapids.
The Ivindo project is one of Mattern's biggest to date
For Adrian Mattern, Dane Jackson, Kalob Grady and Bren Orton, this trip means lots of adventure, fun and fulfilling a dream. Heidelberg-born Mattern, in particular, has had a fascination for the area and this river since he was a teenager - he was already an ambitious kayaker at the time - when he was swept up in the expedition of Olaf 'Big O' Obsommer, a legend in kayaking and adventure circles. Olaf ventured to Central Africa and the Ivindo in 2007, but due to a lack of local knowledge and technical resources, he and his companions avoided a large part of the rapids and chose the safe detour - portaging their kayaks around most of the whitewater sections on foot.
The self-proclaimed four-member SEND collective planned to make it happen this time. In adventure sports, 'to send' means to go for it, to deliver, and they have definitely done that.
Whether in Mexico, France or Kyrgyzstan, the German is constantly on the hunt for rivers and waterfalls that no one before him has mastered with a kayak. It is, therefore, no surprise that the 28-year-old is also the architect of this adventure.
The American is considered the GOAT of whitewater kayaking. A quick look at his Instagram channel @danejacksonkayak should be enough to dispel any doubts you might have about that fact.
The Brit was known for his unique freestyle tricks on huge waves or waterfalls. He made a name for himself in the freestyle scene at a young age, and by 2018, when Bren was the first European to conquer the almost 40m Big Banana Falls in Mexico, he was the name on everyone's lips internationally. In the kayak scene, he was particularly known for his cheerful disposition and giving a lot back to the sport, not just through his skills on the water.
Sadly, in May 2024, at just 29 years old, Bren suffered a tragic accident and passed away while kayaking with a group on the Melezza River in the Swiss Alps.
The Canadian has felt at home in wild waters since his childhood. After all, he grew up on the banks of the Ottawa River. Today, this deeply relaxed athlete remains unfazed by pretty much anything.
Elbow pads, earplugs, face mask, camera on – and take a deep breath.
After two days of traveling by plane, the crew reaches the small town of Makokou, where they continue in jeeps to the first destination: Kongou. This part of the Ivindo National Park is known for the Kongou Falls of the same name, which, at 3km long, are among the most impressive waterfalls in Africa.
Before the team can plunge into the adventure, they dress up again with shirts and polo shirts. On-site, they meet the officials of the Agence Nationale des Parcs Nationaux (ANPN), the people who take care of the preservation and protection of the national parks in Gabon.
Mattern shakes hands with the head of the ANPN, Omer Ntougou Ndoutoume
Mattern spent several years leading up to the expedition to learn everything he could about the rainy phases and water circulation in the Ivindo Basin and anything else that could affect their attempt. When they arrived in Kongou, the athletes spent another three days thoroughly inspecting the area and acclimating themselves. Despite all the love for fun and adventure, the safety of those involved is the top priority.
It took a convoy of Land Cruisers to get the team to the start
In particular, the risk of potentially fatal attacks from animals such as elephants, hippos, crocodiles and snakes shouldn't be underestimated. Consequently, there's a survival crash course for all the travelers.
Mattern with the Kongou rangers who look after the nature reserve
Here, the Ivindo is divided into dozens of small channels and becomes a labyrinth of waterfalls of various heights, slides and large and small rapids. On the one hand, it's a paradise for whitewater kayakers, but on the other hand, it's an enormous challenge to find the right path with all the choices. Mainly because from here, the adventurers downstream are entirely on their own, without the help of park rangers or locals.
Unlike before, when there were almost too many options, here, there are only a handful of paths to choose from. In addition to Kongou, Mingouli, with its breathtaking waterfalls, is also counted among the so-called 'Wonders of Invindo.' Here, the team gets its first taste of how much power the river really has. Again and again, it's important to find and maintain the ideal line.
Kouata Mango
Kilometer 108 of 145
Dane Jackson battles the boiling water beneath a waterfall
Kouata Mango can be roughly translated into “touch the sky” – and the circumstances are almost heavenly. Here, too, there are several possibilities, two of which seem particularly promising for kayakers upon closer inspection, including a 20-meter-high waterfall and a section that is so fantastic that the four of them quickly find a suitable name for it - Eldorado.
The last rapid of the trip proves to be one of the biggest challenges and one of the most dangerous places the team encounters on the entire Ivindo. Ultimately, it is and always remains a team decision on which route to choose. If necessary, the one that goes via the land next to the river…
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Survival in the jungle
Adrian Mattern is ready to kayak at any time of day or night!
Ripped hands, manky toes, billions of insects: life in the jungle is a real challenge for body and mind. But despite the constant wetness and insect bites, everyone involved manages to stay positive.
You won't find luxury (or dry clothes) in the rainforest
