Commercial rafting first started on the Zambezi River in 1981 and since then this activity has grown in popularity to the point where a rafting trip on the Zambezi is now a regular feature in many tourist itineraries. Spectacular scenery, sunshine, warm water and superb rapids all make this one of the greatest white water rafting venues in the world.

The Zambezi River is classified as a high volume; pool-drop river i.e. there is little exposed rock either in the rapids or the pools below the rapids. The distance between rapids varies from 100 meters to 2 km’s. The river drops about 400ft over the 24km covered in the one-day raft trip and the depth of the river can reach 200ft.

General Information
•Minimum 4 pax - Maximum is 100 on request
•Minimum age is 15 years – there is no child rate. Proof may be requested
•The top section of the Batoka Gorge, rapids 1 – 10, includes the highest concentration of grade 4 and 5 rapids anywhere in the world. (Morning and full day trips)
•Rapids 11 - 25 is slightly less challenging and is of a lower grade (afternoon and full day trips). However, depending on water levels this section can also produce several grade 5 rapids as well.
•Average fitness is required for rafting - no previous experience is required
•Being able to swim is not essential but preferable.
•Clients are advised not take any valuables with them on the river.
•Please note that rafting can close between January and June for safety reasons due to water levels being too high.
•All clients are covered by Specialty Emergency Services (S.E.S) through the operator; however this only covers them for emergency evacuation in life threatening situations. It does not cover hospitalisation and medication. As such travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all clients. Please ensure all clients bring the details of their insurance policy with them. The Operators will not cover clients should they not have insurance

OPTION: HIGH WATER– Rapids #11 - #25
The “High Water” rafting season runs approximately from the middle of January to middle of July, depending upon the water level each year.
•Guest hike down into the gorge at rapid #7, #10 or #14 (this has a gradient of 1 in 3, it is fairly steep and tricky) a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes.
•At the end of the trip at rapid #25 a gondola cable car will transfer guests up the 750ft Batoka Gorge

OPTION: LOW WATER– Rapids #1 - #25
The “Low Water” Rafting Season runs approximately from the middle of July to the middle of January, depending upon the water level - each year this can change as and when levels increase or decrease.

OPTION: Low water full day – Rapids #1 - #25
•Guest hike down into the gorge at rapid #1 to the Boiling Pot.
•At the end of the trip at rapid #25 a gondola cable car will transfer guest up the 750ft Batoka Gorge

OPTION: Low water morning half day – Rapids #1 - #10
•Guest hike down into the gorge at rapid #1 to the boiling pot.
•Guest hike out of the gorge at rapid #10 (this has a gradient of 1 in 3, it is fairly steep and tricky) a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 30 minutes.

OPTION: Low water afternoon half day– Rapids #11 - #25
•Guest hike down into the gorge at rapid #10 (this has a gradient of 1 in 3, it is fairly steep and tricky) a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes.
•At the end of the trip at rapid #25 a gondola cable car will transfer guest up the 750ft Batoka Gorge

River boarding and Rafting
Surf the Zambezi River below the Falls on a body-board accompanied by an expert.
Wild and exciting, these trips combine those rapids which can be ‘surfed’ on the board with the bigger ones which have to be ridden from the raft. These trips link in with the rafting schedules and itineraries and are only available during the low water season.

What you need to bring
•Camera (GoPro or similar) is completely at the clients risk. Taking a normal camera on a rafting trip is not advisable. Photos are done by the Operators photographer in a kayak.
•Hat/Cap, sunglasses
•Sunscreen and mosquito repellent (optional)
•Comfortable walking shoes that you don’t mind getting wet
•Swimsuit / shorts and T Shirt.
•Some money should you wish to purchase the DVD / pictures of your trip