Rafting the Mighty Zambezi

Acclaimed as the wildest one-day whitewater run in the World, the Zambezi River is also recognized by rafting and kayaking enthusiasts as one of the top ten paddling rivers on the planet!

If you don't immediately associate the terms "Stairway to Heaven" and "Oblivion" with adventure then you haven't experienced Zambezi Whitewater!

The most challenging white water rafting in the world

BATOKA RAPIDS

The Zambezi River in Africa 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 distances between rapids vary from 100 meters to 2 kms. The Gorge itself is approximately 400ft deep at the launch site and 750ft at the take-out point. The river drops about 400 ft over the 24 km covered in the one day raft trip and the depth of the river can reach 200ft.

White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls has been classified by the British Canoe Union as Grade 5 - "extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas". This is a high volume, pool-drop river with little exposed rock either in the rapids or in the pools below the rapids. 

Cholwe Adventures  operates year round.  River conditions are determined by seasonally predictable fluctuations in water levels.  Low water season generally runs from August to January each year - this is when the Zambezi is at its very wildest.  We're in high water from about February to July with a short "closed season" around April/May depending on the season's rains.

The one-day low water trip is considered to be the best one-day white water experience available in the world.  The "low water" run occurs when the Zambezi River is at its low level generally between July and mid-February. This is the most exciting time to do rafting. Day trips are conducted between rapids 1 and 18. The "high water" run follows after fresh inflow from the catchment areas in Angola and Zambia. The water rises and flows more rapidly and the day trips move downstream from rapids 11 to 23.

· During "low water" season, rapids #1 to #23/25 present a run of approximately 24km.

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· During "high water" season, only rapids #10 to #23/25 are run (approximately 18km).

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The Zambezi is renowned for its extremely high volume and steep gradient - treat it with respect....