Zambezi White Water Rafting with Shearwater: What to Expect

If you’re thinking about going white water rafting on the Zambezi River with Shearwater Adventures, then this guide will go over what you can expect on this rafting adventure.

Intro

White Water Rafting the Zambezi River is one of the most thrilling adventures you can have at Victoria Falls. It’s known for its higher level rapids and breathtaking gorge scenery, which makes the entire experience fun, exciting, and unforgettable. In this post, I will provide information on what to expect when going white water rafting on the Zambezi River (with Shearwater Adventures) based on my own experiences. Don’t forget to check my tips out too!

Recommended Zambezi Tours & Activities

Book unforgettable experiences and check out the below recommended Zambezi tours, activities and attractions that are mentioned throughout this post:

Experience this at Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi River from Victoria Falls, or click the widget below. At the end of the tour, included food and ice cold drinks (including beer) will be waiting for you. Additionally, there are Shearwater shirts available for purchase, although sizes are limited.

Shearwater Whitewater Rafting Location

Zambezi River Rapids Overview

The Zambezi River has tumultuous rapids named “The Washing Machine” and “The Devil’s Toilet Bowl” that undoubtedly offer a thrilling challenge for even the most experienced rafters. The course is 14 miles (23 kilometers) long where you’ll tackle Class IV and V rapids while surrounded by stunning scenery.

White water rafting the Zambezi River was my first time tackling Class V rapids and it was both nerve-wrecking and exciting!! I love white water rafting so this was a must-do thrilling activity for me and experiencing it in Victoria Falls was certainly on my bucket list.

Intro Briefing

At the start of the tour, you surrender your backpack and bags to the staff for safekeeping. This does include phones and cameras. The last thing you want is to lose your valuable in the Zambezi River Gorge anyways. However, you are able to keep essentials with you like medicine, and for me, I brought a small handheld fan.

Before you head down the gorge and to the river, there’s a thorough safety briefing. The guides walk you through paddling techniques and commands. They keep it fun but make sure everyone feels confident before stepping into the raft.

Hike Down the Gorge

Next comes the trek down into the Batoka Gorge. It’s a steep, winding path carved into the cliffs. It takes about 15–20 minutes and can be challenging especially for those with bad knees. At the bottom, the rafts are waiting, and the guides split up the group into their rafts.

If you have a preference of wanting to experience the thrill of flipping or not, you are able to request being on a smaller raft to increase your chances of flipping, or a larger raft to lower your chances of flipping the raft. I was placed on a larger raft that didn’t flip at all so I didn’t get to experience that. But I had friends on a smaller raft that flipped at almost every strong rapid.

Hitting the Rapids

Once on the water, then the real fun begins! The Zambezi boasts some of the most famous rapids in the world, many rated Grade IV and V. Your guide will shout out commands, and you and your team paddle hard to punch through walls of white water. Be sure to pay attention to the guide’s directions if you don’t want to flip the raft and fall in the water.

Our guide was so experienced and I’m glad he was our rafting guide directing us through each rapid because I felt safe the entire time. He also gave us a short briefing of what the next rapid was named, its class level, what to expect, and even the probability of flipping the raft. He also let us know to look towards the camera man for photos when possible.

Tackling the Rapids • photos by Jeanie A

Calm Sections and Scenery

There are times when there are some calm stretches to take a breather or drink some water. I definitely advise to take advantage of those breaks to drink water. It gets HOT so best to stay hydrated. These calm stretches are also an opportunity to relieve yourself… in the water. You’ll be told to jump into the water, hold on to the raft rope, and go.

Climb Out the Gorge

At the end of the rafting stretch, you’ll dock on the riverbank and then face the toughest part of the day: the ascent back up the gorge. It’s a steep climb straight up the gorge that was unexpectedly challenging for me.

But I have to mention this hike was waaaay more difficult and taxing than the rafting. The hike up is STEEP and it was paired with HOT weather. My friend and I were on the slower side and also the last in the “hiking line” where guides helped and encouraged us to keep going. I’m so thankful for them! It took us about 30 minutes to reach the top.

At The Top

Once at the top though, food and cold beverages are waiting for you. A much-deserved reward for surviving the strong rapids and the steep hike. Staff was also selling shirts and the they took photos (on a USB drive) to remember the adventure.

Tips to Make the Most of Your Adventure

1. Do Not Bring Valuables

You will be asked to leave larger items like bags and backpacks at the start of the tour before heading down to the rafts. This includes leaving your phones and cameras in your bags.

2. Bring Only Essentials on the Raft & Put in A Ziploc Bag

If you need to bring items for the raft and post-rafting hike, such as medicine or a personal fan, then you are able to bring it with you onto the raft. Bring a Ziploc bag to hold these and it will be stashed in the raft’s bin. If you need access to any of these during the rafting, then you can ask the raft guide and they will fetch it for you during the calm stretches of water.

3. Wear SwimSuit & Consider Water-Shorts

Wear a bathing suit or clothes you can get wet. For women, I found wearing water-shorts was more comfortable for sitting on the raft than bathing suit bottoms.

4. You Are Provided a Life Vest

You will be wearing a life vest the entire time on the raft, so you don’t need to worry too much if you’re not a super strong swimmer. But you should still have some swimming skills before attempting to tackle these high class rapids.

5. You Receive Basic Recovery Training

Your guide will go over some basic safety rules. The guide will also have your group perform raft-remounting techniques in case of fall-offs or raft-flips.

6. Follow Guide’s Directions

The rapids will get up to Class V so be sure to pay attention to the guide’s directions if you don’t want to flip the raft and find yourself in the water!

7. Able to Request to be on a Certain Boat Type

If you have a preference of wanting to experience the thrill of flipping or not, you are able to request being on a smaller raft to increase your chances of flipping, or a larger raft to lower your chances of flipping the raft.

8. Take Breaks & Drink Water When Get the Chance

There are times when there are some calm stretches to take a breather or drink some water. I definitely advise to take advantage of those breaks and drink water. It gets HOT so stay hydrated!

9. Take the Hike Back Up At Your Pace

The Zambezi River is at the base of a gorge, so to reach the waters, you will have to descend into the gorge to get to the rafts. This also means having to ascend the steep gorge at the end of the activity, so its best to prepare for this! You should be moderate fitness level, but if not, then take the hike at your own pace and don’t overdo it.

10. Wear Water-Friendly Shoes or Sandals

Wear shoes/sandals that you’re both able to hike and raft in, such as TEVAs or REEFs. I wore waterproof strapped sandals and that worked just fine for me. Additionally, I found a personal fan to be super helpful for the hiking portion back up. I can’t stress how hot it was!

Where to Stay in Victoria Falls

I stayed at Shearwater’s Explorer Village which is centrally located. It’s a short walk to nearby shops, and restaurants, but also has its own restaurant, two bars and a lounging area so you can stay on site during your stay. There’s also a nice two-tier swimming pool you can relax it after a day out. Book your stay by clicking here, or check availability for your dates below and click “Search”:

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Have you white water rafted Zambezi River rapids before?
Let me know in the comments below!