Camping at the Victoria Falls

White Water Rafting on the Great Zambezi

Lying between Zambia and Zimbabwe,the Zambezi River, below the Victoria Falls, is one of the world’s most renowned stretches of white water in the world.

The rapids are mostly graded 4 and 5 (6 being impossible to run.) However, most of them don’t need much skill to handle and thus absolute beginners are allowed onto virtually all of the rafts.

You can find all types of accomodation here ranging from camping to 5 star hotels.

https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/victoria-falls-accommodation.html

During high water there is a tremendous amount of spray and strong whirlpools and undercurrents. These are a sight to behold but can be very dangerous. However during low-water months (roughly from August to January) you can experience the play ground of the Zambezi.

You will have an ideal combination of unspoilt wilderness, some of the finest game and birdlife in the world, truly excellent river guides and a wide range of options to suit all tastes.

White Water Rafting

A typical rafting trip will start with a briefing, covering safety and health issues, giving the plan for the day and answering any questions. Once you reach the ‘put-in’ at the river, you will be given a short safety/practice session to familiarise yourself with the raft and techniques that will be used to run the rapids. Basically you just have to go with the flow 😆

A trained river guide pilots every raft, but you need to decide whether you want to go in an oar boat or in a paddle boat. In an oar boat expect to cling on for dear life, and throw your weight around the raft on demand – but nothing more. Oar boats are generally easier and safer because you rely on the skills of the oarsmen to negotiate the rapids, and you can hang on to the raft at all times.

Note that the climb up and out of the gorge at the end can be steep and tiring, especially in hot weather, Most companies offer a heli-raft combo, whereby you can opt to fly out instead at additional cost. Beyond the obvious advantage of ‘taking the easy way out’, the heli flight is an exhilarating end to an exciting day, zipping you out of the gorge with a bird’s eye view of the rapids you’ve just run and the Falls as well.

Rafting operators

There are a few white water rafting companies including Shearwater, Safpar Rafting and Shockeave adventures and they all offer different aspects of the river. Safety comes first and you have to have some level of fitness to attempt one of these unforgettable experiences.

The rapids are numbered from one to 23, starting from the Boiling Pot, so it’s easy to make a rough comparison of the trips on offer.

Canoe Safaris

For the Intrepid Traveler
there are a number of Canoe safaris on offer.

All gear and provisions are carried in the canoes and overnight stops are made at specific camp spots on islands or on the mainland.

All meals are prepared by the guide and canoeists assist with camp chores (erecting tents, fetching water, cleaning up etc.).

Ablutions are rudimentary and sleep arrangements are two-man bow tents or under mosquito nets draped over a paddle. These safaris operate on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian shorelines.

Devils Pool

Swim to the edge of the largest sheet of falling water in the world on a tour that takes you to Devil’s Pool at the rim of Victoria Falls. A guided tour is the only way to reach this unique and thrilling natural infinity pool. Plus, a guide provides security and ensures you don’t take any unnecessary risks throughout the tour.

https://discoveringvictoriafalls.com/blog/devils-pool-victoria-falls/

Bungee Jumping

Bungee Jumping can be an exhilarating adventure or a dangerous pursuit. You can decide! 😆

https://www.tripadvisor.co.za/AttractionProductReview-g293761-d21021258-Bungee_Jumping_at_The_Victoria_Falls_Bridge-Victoria_Falls_Matabeleland_North_Prov.html

Hiking

Hiking is an age old tradition and much has been discovered through this persuit. There are many walking tracks and guided tours around the Falls but be careful, as the animals might win in a confrontation 😮

https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attractions-g293761-Activities-c42-t183-Victoria_Falls_Matabeleland_North_Province.html

Riding

Just as Rhodes and his crew did on first finding the Falls. Take the family for a ride around the Falls on horseback and experience history in its raw form, imagining what they must have felt like all those years ago, discovering ´the smoke that thunders’ and the great Victoria Falls. One of the seven wonders of this world.

https://www.wildhorizons.co.za/wildhorizons/see-and-do/victoria-falls/horse-riding/