Zimbabwe - The Zambezi two day rafting adventure

The Zambezi, more than any other river, evokes the mystery and excitement of Africa. Few rivers remain as pristine or as little explored. For centuries, elephants have stamped tracks deep in the sandy beaches and hippopotamuses wallowed in its calmer reaches. Native boatman have long fashioned canoes from trees that grow along the banks of the upper river, but their path downstream has been inhibited.

The great moment had come; we were riding high on the wave-back at breathless speed, our ramshackle craft creaking and groaning as she quivered under us. The excitement made one's blood boil..

Thor Heyerdahl

At Victoria Falls, the entire river leaps wildly into a cataract creating Musi-oa-tunya (smoke that thunders). On a clear day the spray from the falls rises hundreds of meters skywards and the resounding thunder is heart stopping. The waterfalls remain unchallenged, but rafting in the gorges below is now one of the world's greatest whitewater challenges.
The Victoria Falls region is internationally renowned and boasts some of Africa's finest wildlife. We visit in the dry season, the prime time for game viewing, as the animals are concentrated near waterholes and along the river. While on safari, you may see herds of elephant bathing in the river or listen to the primeval roar of lions in the evenings.

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A wonderful way to experience the excitement of rafting, the culture of a country, and just to have time away from life and deadlines. The first time I have ever left work completely behind me.

Anita Nolan, Zambezi '94

Our Zambezi river descent is a world-class adventure. There are dozen of adrenaline-pumping rapids and miles of calmer water to reflect on the beauty of the remote canyons. Our rafts disturb baboons that bark in alarm as we drift by, elusive klipspringers bound over the boulders and fish eagles glide overhead.

River of the Gods
3 days/ 2 nights $ 465
Low water departures only. Overnight on picturesque Zambezi beaches.
Dates:
2007/08 August through December
Our River Prices inclusive airport or hotel transfers, ground transportation, all meals, professional guides.

Minimum age : 15 years

River of the Gods
1 day $ 145
Low water: Rapids 1-18 (24km approx.)
High water: Rapids 11-23 (18km approx)
2008: All year, pending on river restrictions

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TWO DAY & TWO NIGHT RAFTING ADVENTURE
"THE WILDEST WHITE WATER RAFTING TRIP IN THE WORLD"

Introduction

You should be in Victoria Falls Village at least one day before day one of the raft trip. Most will spend a few days seeing the falls, choosing from a host of adventure activities available, or just lounging around the swimming pool, acclimatizing to the warmth of the Zambezi Valley! Adrift have a dynamic office in the centre of town which is a train carriage, so cannot be missed and our staff will be able to help you with any bookings or queries that you may have.
Day One.
Guests will be collected from their respective accommodation to meet at the Adrift Train Office in the centre of town, on Park Street at 8.00am. Tea , coffee and biscuits will be served here and an your guide will give a pre-departure briefing and you will be asked to sign an indemnity form. We shall then drive to rapid #1 and begin the steep walk into the gorges below. Within minutes we are a world away from the buzz of Victoria Falls town. At the base of the trail, our rafts await us in a large pool on the Zambezi, and it is here that you will be given a safety talk and asked to sign an indemnity form. The first part of any rafting experience is very much a learning exercise and after a few practice runs we nudge our boats into the current and drift down-stream to challenge the legendary rapids of the Zambezi. There is no gradual build up! This 23 km stretch on day one is by far the wildest section of river that will be covered on the six day trip including many class 5 rapids. A cold buffet lunch will be served at rapid #11. and we will reach our beach camp site at rapid #21 at about 3.30pm.
Day Two.
We rise as the sun illuminates the towering walls above, to the smell of bacon and eggs on the fire. Once again all the equipment is harnessed down tightly for the voyage down stream, a long day lies ahead. Our world will become one of exhilarating action and scenes of remarkable beauty. The Songwe gorges, home to the threatened Taita falcons, are spectacular. Sheer rock walls arise hundreds of meters above the river and the roar of the rapids resound up the narrow canyons. Vertical walls give way to a wider valley at times and white sandy beaches dazzle in the sunshine. There is now more time between major rapids, than on day one, a chance to relax in the sun as we drift down calmer stretches. On day two we shall negotiate rapids such as “The Narrows” and “Let’s Make a Deal”, arriving at Chimamba Falls.
Upper Moemba.
Upper Moemba rapids is one of the most spectacular on the river and with so many of these rapids it has a perfect platform for photographs and we can stand within meters of the action. In our approach the river disappears to a roar not unlike a jet engine and a cloud of spray. Our rafts slide over the lip of the drop and into several huge crashing waves that appear to swallow them completely. The entire Zambezi at this point is squeezed into a narrow cataract. “Standing nearby one can feel a perceptible vibration between one’s feet, as the surge every now and then exhibits an extra spasm of violence” ( Sykes quoted Lamplugh, 1908 )
We run Upper Moemba and arrive at the beach camp for the second night.
DAY THREE.
On the last day we raft to the dam site after a good hot cooked breakfast, where guests are transferred back to Victoria Falls by vehicle, this is a three hour journey on a dirt road through the Hwange Communal Lands.

Point of Departure: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Members: 4-19

Also: See 6 day Rafting Excursion