Please note that all of our safaris and tours are custom-made; this itinerary is just a suggestion and can be amended to better fit your requirements.

Multi Day Rafting offer an unrivalled wilderness adventure experience not to be missed! The trips run on a self-contained basis with overnight camping on soft sandy beaches at the river edge. Each day brings the challenge of new, exciting rapids and ever-changing scenery.

You should spend at least one night in Victoria Falls prior to departing on their Rafting Adventure. A pre departure briefing will be held at 6.00pm on the night before the trip at Ilala Lodge. This will give you a chance to meet your raft guides, discuss the adventure that lies ahead of you and ask any last minute questions.

It is important to note that these trips only run at Low Water (approximately August to early December)

ITINERARY
DAY 1:
Guests are collected at 8.00am and should have had breakfast prior to departure. Guests are driven to the “look-out” where they are given the safety briefing 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 campsite at rapid #21 at about 3.30pm. Some of the rapids on day one are Land of The Giants, The Devil’s Toilet Bowel, and the famous Oblivion.

DAY 2:
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. Over the next week 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, Chimamba Falls arriving at Moemba Falls beach camp for the second night.

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)

DAY 3:
Day three is another hard working day running Upper Moemba and portaging around Moemba Falls. We arrive at the Dam site by 10.15 am where we will have lunch and portage of Chibonga Falls. Downstream the towering waves of Ghost rider, the biggest commercially run-able roller coaster wave train in the World. In the original exploratory trip on the Zambezi one of the rafters opted not to run the rapid and pushed his empty boat off into the current. The sight of the empty raft successfully running the rapid in the twilight (after two others had flipped) inspired him to name the rapid Ghost rider. We get to camp at about 4.30pm after travelling about 20kms.

DAY 4:
There is no rush on day four and after breakfast, rigging the boats and a late departure from camp, we paddle past a set of small rapids before negotiating a more technical rapid named Asleep At The Wheel, and then drift into camp! (Again about 20kms travelled on day 4).

DAY 5:
After departing camp we drift past Fish Eagle’s nests, negotiate rapids - Wave Train, Jay Bay, (similar to Jeffrey’s Bay in South Africa - a popular surfing place), Bismark’s Territory, (home to a particularly large crocodile named Bismark!) and Smugglers Camp. This is the biggest fisherman’s village encountered during the 6 day trip and the villagers are happy to show us around, giving us a glimpse at an astonishingly uncomplicated and simple lifestyle, totally free from the modern urban world we left behind some days ago.

DAY 6:
The river really changes character. Basalt rocks give way to grassy banks and the grunts of vocal hippopotamus carry across the water. Our rafts drift past islands in the river, havens for Egyptian Geese and basking crocodiles. After a couple of hours, we rendezvous with our vehicles near the Matetsi River mouth. After packing up and deflating the rafts we head back to Victoria Falls by road, having lunch on route. The journey back takes about 3 hours. After taking time out to unpack and freshen up, a group dinner and party is always a favourite option.

Client Suitability & Age Restrictions Clients should be reasonably fit for this activity, as there is a fairly steep walk into & out of the Batoka Gorge as well as the white water rafting activity itself. Rafting is suitable for the majority of clients. The ability to swim is not essential; however non-swimmers should inform the the Rafting Guide at the briefing. Minimum age: 15 years (This can be flexible, at management’s discretion i.e. if the child is of the right maturity, strength and will fit into a lifejacket properly younger kids are sometimes accepted.) Maximum age: There is no maximum age limit, however the operator retains the right to refuse to take a client who is clearly going to be unable to cope with the rigors of rafting.

Transfers: There are courtesy transfers and will collect from any pick up point in Victoria Falls town. All guests will be collected from their respective hotels and meet at the Office at 8.00am. After signing an indemnity form they are taken to the “look-out” on the edge of the Gorge for a full briefing. Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served at the check-in at 8.00am (PLEASE BRING YOUR VOUCHER TO CHECK IN). If guests are catching a flight from Victoria Falls airport after the low water A.M. Half Day trip, arrangements can be made to transfer clients directly from the river to the airport. Transfers can be arranged on request and should be booked and paid for at check in.

The “Look-out”: Clients will be fully briefed at the “Look-Out” located on the edge of the Gorge. This is a spectacular thatched viewing platform where clients will check-in, sign an indemnity and be given a briefing. The bridge over the Gorge, the boiling pot, Rapids 3 and 4 and the High Wire adventure activities can be viewed from this spot.

Raft Options – Oar Boat/Paddle Boat: At certain water levels clients are given the option between an “oar boat” and a “paddle boat”. An “oar boat” is controlled and maneuvered by the guide using “12 foot-long” oars from the middle of the raft. Guests are seated in the front and rear of the raft and hold on to the safety line around the perimeter of the raft. A “paddle boat” requires the passengers to actively assist the guide in maneuvering the raft through the rapids and the calm stretches, they are seated around the perimeter of the boat and all paddle, but do not hold onto the safety line.

Valuables: Do not bring valuables with you. Please leave all valuables, jewelry and passports at your hotel for safekeeping. there is a safekeeping facility at check-in, where valuables can be left at your own risk.

What to Wear: We recommend that you wear a swimming costume, T-Shirt, shorts or cycling pants. Trainers or rafting sandals are ideal (these can be purchased in Victoria Falls) and a peak cap will fit comfortably under your helmet. Do not forget to apply sunscreen. Wind shielding paddle jackets will be provided in the winter months. Wear something that cannot be sucked off! (Bikinis are not advisable!) Please remember to bring along chronic medication (if necessary, e.g. asthma, diabetes or allergies). BRING AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE!

Walk In/Walk Out: The walk in and out of the gorge is steep and rocky, but with ample of places to rest. The walk out is approximately 750 feet to the top of the gorge (equivalent of climbing a 70-story building) and requires a reasonable degree of fitness. Clients will carry their buoyancy aids and helmets while porters carry all other rafting equipment. At the top of the gorge cold beers, soft drinks and water is awaits you at the end of an awesome day!

ALL OUR TOURS CAN BE ENTIRELY CUSTOM MADE TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS, PLEASE CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR VISIT OUR RIVER ADVENTURES PAGE.