White Water Rafting- Batoka Gorge
Commercial rafting first commenced 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 most tourists’ itineraries. In 1997, approximately 50 000 people enjoyed white water rafting on the Zambezi on a stretch of water that is now internationally acclaimed as the best white water rafting trip available anywhere in the world. There are 3 major operators on the Zimbabwe side and 2 in Zambia
The Kaza Univisa means that activities can be done from either Livingstone or Victoria Falls side with a minimum of border post hassle. The KAZA UNIVISA is valid for 30 days as long as you remain in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Visitors can cross into Zimbabwe / Zambia as frequently as they like within the 30 day period. It costs US$ 50, is applicable to 40 countries and available at major local airports and most road border posts
Physical Features of the River
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 metres to 2 kms. The Gorge itself is approximately 120m (400ft) deep at the put-in point and 200m (750ft) at the take out point. The river drops about 120m over the 24km covered in the one-day raft trip and the depth of the river can reach 60m (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 unrunnable – rapid number 9, “Commercial Suicide” is a Grade 6 rapid and we porter around this rapid)
Wildlife
Due to the steepness of the Gorge, wildlife is not abundant. On occasion klipspringer, rock hyrax, vervet monkeys and baboon are spotted. However, the birdlife is far more spectacular. Black eagle, augur buzzard, black stork, pied and giant kingfisher and red winged starling are some of the birds normally seen during the trips and sightings of the very rare Taita Falcon are not uncommon. There are crocodile in the river, but they are small due to the unsuitability of the area for their habitation.
Rafting Options : The ONE-DAY trip runs year round subject to river levels
High Water – approx 26 December to 12 August (stopping altogether in between if river too high).
Low Water – approx 12 August to 26 December (2.5 & 5 day trips only operate in this season)
During the Low Water season, the following rafting trips are offered
Full and Half Day Raft Trips. These run daily.
Full/Half Day trips and then camp overnight in the Gorge. Available every day.
2.5 day Raft trips which end at the Batoka Dam site (approximately 56kms downstream from the Victoria Falls). We have set departure dates for these trips.
5 day Raft trips ending at the Matetsi River Mouth. We have set departure dates for these trips.
Pick up Times
Low Water (full day) 07h30 (Rapids 1 – 23)
Low Water (am half day) 07h30 (Rapids 1 – 10)
Low Water (pm half day) 10h30 (Rapids 11 – 23)
High Water – 07h30 (Rapids 11-23)
Clients are requested to reconfirm pick up times and hotels with our Victoria Falls office 24 hours before departure. Clients can otherwise meet at our office located at Shop 4, Phumula Centre, Vic Falls at 07h30
Minimum and Maximum Guests– Half & Full day
Minimum for some operators to run a trip is 1 client others 4.
We accept any booking and will liaise with clients to ensure they get to go down the river with us or another reputable operator.
Maximum – 120 clients, so Large groups can be catered for on request.
FULL DAY (LOW WATER)
Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Adventure Lodge for check in. You are served tea or coffee while you receive a safety briefing and sign the indemnity form.
After check in, transfer to the top of the gorge where you will receive your life jacket, helmet and paddle.
You will then walk into the gorge. The walk is quite steep. It is advisable to wear sneakers or rafters to walk down the gorge, and to take your time.
Upon arrival at the river’s edge, you will get into a raft and practice your paddling skills
You will then begin your rafting trip. You will raft through rapids #1 to rapid #8. These rapids are classed from Grade 2 to Grade 5. At rapid #9 you will walk and carry your raft round the rapid as it is Grade 6 and cannot be rafted by clients. You will then raft rapid #10 before stopping for lunch.
Lunch is provided on the banks of the river above rapid #11.
After lunch, you will continue through rapid #11 to rapid #23. These rapids are Grade 3 and 4 with the exception of rapid #18 which is a Grade 5 rapid at the low water level.
At rapid #23 you will walk out of the gorge. The walk is fairly long and steep. The walk will take approximately 30 minutes for a person of average fitness.
At the top of the gorge, a truck will be waiting for you, with cold drinks and beers, to take you back to town
You will return to town at approximately 16h30 / 17h00 where you will watch a dvd and photos of your days rafting. You will return to your hotel by 18h00/30.
FULL DAY (HIGH WATER)
Pick Up at your hotel and transfer to Lodge for check in. At check in you will receive a safety briefing and sign the indemnity form
After check in, transfer to the top of the gorge where you will receive your life jacket, helmet and paddle
You will then walk into the gorge. The walk is fairly long and quite steep. It is advisable to wear sneakers or rafters to walk down the gorge
Upon arrival at the rivers edge, you will get into your raft and practice your paddling and rafting instructions from your guide
After which, you will begin your rafting trip. You will raft through rapids #11 to #23. These rapids are grade 3 and 4 including rapid #18 which is a grade 4 at this water level.
At rapid #23 you will walk out of the gorge. The walk is fairly long and steep. The walk will take approximately 30 minutes for a person of average fitness.
At the top of the gorge, a truck will be waiting for you, with cold drinks and beers, to take you back to town
You will transfer back to town where you will have your lunch and watch a dvd and photos of your days rafting.
After lunch, you will be transferred back to your hotel by approximately 15h00
Age Restriction : The minimum age is 15 years. The maximum age limit is dependent on the individual’s general state of health and physical fitness.
Food & Drinks Supplied
Tea and coffee is supplied at the meeting point, prior to departure. We do not provide breakfast so please ensure you have breakfast at your hotel prior to pick up. On the river each raft carries water and cordial. Lunch consisting of beef, chicken, rolls / bread, potato salad, green salad and orange juice. At the top of the Gorge, at the end of the trip, complimentary soft drinks, mineral water and beers are available.
Videos & Photographs
Whilst on the river, videos and photographs will be taken by “Zambezi Memories”. Rafting videos and photographs will be shown at Adventure Lodge and will be on display at the same place the following day for the overnight clients. Copies of all products shown are available for purchase.
Experience & Fitness
No previous rafting experience is required and clients need not be proficient swimmers. At the beginning and at the end of the raft trips, clients have to negotiate a steep path in and out of the gorge. The walkout is 750 vertical feet up a gradient of 1 in 3, and a person of average fitness can manage this in about 30 minutes.
Rafts & Equipment
The company uses some of the finest equipment on the market to ensure that the trip is a safe and enjoyable one. Rafts are purchased from Ark in South Africa and are the tried and tested river rafts required for the Zambezi River. X-TREME high flotation life jackets and protective safety helmets are issued to clients for all rafting trips. Wetsuit tops are provided and are usually used by clients during the colder months (June / July). Clients need to wear shorts, T-Shirts, costume, shoes, cap, sunglasses and sunscreen.
Guides & Safety
Guides are fully trained professionals and all hold valid advanced first aid certificates. Whilst every precaution is taken, it is essential that agents make clients aware that there is a risk of injury associated with the activity of rafting on the Zambezi. A comprehensive first aid kit and skid stretcher is carried on each trip. Each client is required to sign the operations company’s White Water Rafting indemnity form prior to departure. Each trip leader is in radio and Satellite phone contact with our base in Victoria Falls and direct with M.A.R.S. (Medical Air Rescue Service)