Whitewater River Rafting

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The power of the Zambezi is undisputed. Home to world famous rapids which vary in difficulty from novice to advanced. White water rapids such as “the devil’s toilet” and “stairway to heaven” sound far more ominous than they seem from the water. The Zambezi boasts many grade 5 rapids which is the highest level of rapid possible to attempt.

River rafting down the Zambezi is seasonal and dependent on rainfall and water levels. Low water is from mid July - to the end of January. High water is from February till mid July, when the river is normally in flood. Rafting gets stopped for a few weeks in late April and early May if the water levels get too high making rafting unsafe. Adventure tourism has seen a steady increase over the past 20 years here at Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. Tourists looking for thrills have found plenty to keep them occupied in this spectacular area.

White water rafting is very popular for good reason too! Clean water, a healthy helping of African sunshine and a dose of exercise are a great way to spend any day, but do it against the backdrop of one of the beautiful waterfalls in the world and you have the ingredients for a truly unforgettable experience!

Zambezi River rises in north west Zambia, from a spring in Kaloma and runs for 2750km. It is the 4th longest river in Africa and traverses 6 countries on its journey to the Indian Ocean. Victoria Falls Zimbabwe is dubbed as the best white water rafting experience in the world! The Zambezi River is classified as a high volume, pool-drop river which means there is very little exposed rock either in the rapids or the pools below the rapids.

The distance between rapids varies from 100m to 2 kms. The Gorge itself is approximately 400ft deep at the put-in point and 750ft at the take out point. The river drops about 400ft over the 24km covered in the one-day raft trip and the depth of the river can reach 200ft. The British Canoe Union has classified the river Grade 5 “extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas”. Nearly half of the rapids negotiated are Grade 5. (Grade 6 is unrunable – rapid number 9, “Commercial Suicide” is a Grade 6 rapid and we porter around this rapid).

The best time to go white water rafting is during the low water season. This makes more of the rapids accessible and allows for a better white water rafting experience!

Between the challenging rapids there are sections of calm water which you can use to get your breath and to recharge for the next challenge. While you slowly paddle down the great Zambezi make sure to keep your eyes peeled for

Many of the white water tours here at Victoria Falls Zimbabwe include lunch. What can be better than watching the sun slip away under the horizon as you sip on an ice cold beer; knowing that you are lucky enough to have spent the day white water rafting at one of the most famous locations in the world.