The Bell River is a river that drains the Drakensberg uplands of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Its drainage basin, a part of the headwaters of the Orange River, is approximately in extent, ranging from an altitude of 1,720 m (a.m.s.l) to 3,001m. The river's source is in the vicinity of the high pass Naudésnek, and downstream it passes the town of Rhodes, to eventually form a tributary of the Kraai River some 40km (direct) from its source.

The river is rich in trout. The Bell's Wild Trout Festival is based in the town of Rhodes and is organised by the Wild Trout Association. Up to 80 participants fish for three days on the 180km of running water which is within an hour's drive of the village.

The catchment area has been used extensively for grazing by commercial farmers since the 1870s. Consequently the river's water quality and channel stability is affected by increased sediment loading from widespread gully erosion in the catchment area. As a remedy, Willow species of the Salix family, in particular Salix caprea, have been planted along the banks in an effort to prevent further channel shifting in the form of meander cutoffs.

Notes

1. Hugo, W.J., 1966, The Small Stock Industry in South Africa, Government Printer, Pretoria.