Zambezi River: Whitewater & Wildlife

Because this is much more than a whitewater rafting trip. Spend four days rafting the Zambezi River through the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls, tackle some of its legendary rapids and camp on remote sandy beaches beside the river. If water levels allow, you’ll even stop for lunch beneath Victoria Falls. At the end of your river journey, take a helicopter flight through the Batoka Gorge, giving you a completely different perspective over the river and rapids you’ve just travelled. Then swap whitewater for wildlife with a safari experience in Botswana’s Chobe National Park.

Yes. At the end of your four-day Zambezi rafting journey, you swap paddle power for a helicopter flight through the Batoka Gorge. After experiencing the river from below, you’ll rise above the gorge for a spectacular bird’s-eye view of the Zambezi, its dramatic basalt walls and the rapids you’ve just travelled through. It’s a fitting finale to the rafting adventure.

If water levels allow, yes. On the first day of rafting there is an opportunity to head to the Boiling Pot beneath Victoria Falls for lunch before continuing downstream into the Batoka Gorge. As this experience depends on river levels and conditions, it cannot be guaranteed on every departure.

The trip includes wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park, known for its large elephant population. Depending on conditions and a little luck, you may also have opportunities to see hippos, lions, leopards and other wildlife during game drives and boat-based wildlife viewing. Along the Zambezi, keep an eye out for birdlife including fish eagles. As with any wildlife experience, sightings can never be guaranteed.

Not where we are rafting. Your best chance to see hippos is on the Day 1 sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi River, where the water is calmer. The rafting section takes place through the fast-moving whitewater of the Batoka Gorge below Victoria Falls, while hippos are generally found in calmer, slower-moving sections of the river. Wildlife sightings in the gorge may include fish eagles.

Absolutely not for the upper end! Age alone shouldn’t put you off. What matters most is your fitness, confidence and comfort with an active outdoor adventure.

If you’re considering the trip with family, just keep in mind that the minimum age is 16 years. There is no stated upper age limit, so if you’re active, reasonably fit and excited by the idea of four days on the Zambezi, this can be a fantastic adventure at many stages of life.

No. Many guests arrive with little or no previous rafting experience. Before you begin, our local guides provide a comprehensive safety and paddle briefing, teach you the strokes you’ll use and explain what to do if you unexpectedly find yourself in the water.

You don’t need elite fitness, but the fitter you are, the more you’ll get from the experience. Our local team recommends regular exercise such as walking, running or swimming for at least a month or two before departure to prepare for the active days on the river.

Being comfortable in the water is recommended for this challenging rafting journey. You’ll wear a high-float buoyancy aid while rafting, and safety kayakers and support craft form part of the river safety setup should you enter the water.

Whitewater rafting is an adventure activity and involves inherent risk, but safety is central to how this trip is operated. Our local river team includes experienced rafting guides and safety kayakers with advanced first aid qualifications, supported by a group first aid kit and satellite communications on the river.

Our local operator has also advised that they have completed the past five consecutive rafting seasons without a raft flip!

The rafting section travels through a remote environment, so our local river team is prepared accordingly. Guides hold first aid qualifications, and the group carries first aid equipment and satellite communications while on the river.

Travellers also need appropriate travel insurance covering the rafting activity and emergency evacuation

Not necessarily, despite what some of the rapid names might suggest! Our local guides aim to navigate the whitewater while keeping everyone in the raft, although an unexpected swim can happen on any whitewater journey.

You’ll be briefed beforehand on exactly what to do if you enter the water, with safety kayakers positioned to assist if required.

The names alone give you a taste of the adventure. During the journey you may encounter some of the Zambezi’s best-known rapids, including Morning Glory, Stairway to Heaven, Creamy White Buttocks, The Mother, Oblivion and Ghostrider.

Each rapid has its own character, from big rolling waves to more technical sections where teamwork and following your guide’s instructions are key.

They certainly are! The Zambezi’s rapids have acquired some memorable names over the years, including Morning Glory, Stairway to Heaven, Creamy White Buttocks, The Mother, Oblivion and Ghostrider. Part of the fun is hearing the stories behind the names from your guides as you make your way down the river.

No. Responsible river running sometimes means getting out and portaging a section rather than rafting it. Our local guides assess water levels and conditions throughout the journey and may portage sections where required for safety.

There are standard portages during the journey, including Rapid No. 9, Lower Moemba and the dam site. Narrows 1 may also be portaged at higher water levels, while other sections may be portaged if the guides consider it necessary for safety.

The Zambezi through the Batoka Gorge is known for powerful, challenging whitewater. The current supplier dossier specifies insurance covering rafting up to and including Grade V rapids.

It’s one of the experiences that makes this journey special. Nights on the river are spent camping on sandy beaches beside the Zambezi in the Batoka Gorge, surrounded by the river and gorge walls.

Our local operator provides tents, sleeping mats, camp chairs and camp facilities. Wake to an African sunrise, pack up camp and continue your journey downstream.

Not on the river. Wi-Fi and charging are available at the hotels, but there is no phone signal or charging during the river section, so bring a portable power bank for your devices.

It’s also a rare opportunity to switch off from your phone, enjoy the surroundings and spend the evenings getting to know your fellow travellers around camp.

Our local operator provides the specialist rafting and camping equipment for the journey. This includes rafting safety equipment, tents, sleeping mats and camp chairs, along with a waterproof gear bag for your clothing and a dry box for personal gear. You’ll need to bring a warm sleeping bag or pre-book a sleep kit for the river section

Think quick-drying, secure and sun-smart. On the river, lightweight clothing suitable for warm conditions, sun protection and secure footwear are important. Warmer layers are useful around camp, particularly during cooler evenings. A detailed gear list is provided before departure so you’ll know exactly what to pack.

Groups are kept small, with a maximum of 16 guests. This creates a more personal river experience and gives you plenty of opportunity to get to know your guides and fellow travellers during the rafting journey and evenings together at camp.

Yes. Our local team can cater for dietary requirements with advance notice. Please advise us of any dietary requirements prior to departure so arrangements can be made.

Any clothing or baggage you don’t require for the river section can be left at your hotel in Livingstone. Valuables can be securely stored in the hotel safe, rather than taken onto the river.