| Kaaimasn River | |
| Name Other: | Kaaimansrivier |
| Name Etymology: | Named kaaiman after leguaan, a species of Monitor Lizard which was formerly found in the river.[1] |
| Nickname: | Keeromrivier |
| Pushpin Map: | South Africa |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location of the Kaaimans River mouth |
| Subdivision Type1: | Country |
| Subdivision Name1: | South Africa |
| Subdivision Type2: | Province |
| Subdivision Name2: | Western Cape |
| Subdivision Type3: | Region |
| Subdivision Name3: | Garden Route |
| Source1: | N of George |
| Source1 Location: | Outeniqua Mountains |
| Mouth: | Indian Ocean |
| Mouth Location: | W of Wilderness, Western Cape |
| Mouth Coordinates: | -33.9978°N 22.5569°W |
| Mouth Elevation: | 0m (00feet) |
The Kaaimans River (Afrikaans: Kaaimansrivier), also known as Keerom River, is a river in the Western Cape, South Africa. The mouth of the river lies near Wilderness.[2] Further upriver, the Kaaimans River Gorge is popular for hiking and whitewater kayaking.[3]
The nearest large towns are Mossel Bay and George.
The Kaaimans River was formerly an obstacle for travellers, whose wagons had to wait sometimes for weeks before being able to cross it safely when it ran full of water. It was also nicknamed "Keeromrivier" (Turnabout River) because, faced with the raging waters, some travellers had to turn and try to find another way to reach their destination. Finally this obstacle was overcome when the Seven Passes Road was built by Thomas Charles John Bain.[4]
The tidal estuary at its mouth is crossed by a rail bridge. The Outeniqua Choo Tjoe, the last passenger steam train in Africa, crossed this bridge until the line was closed due to landslides in 2006.