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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 16 March, 2024
Expert travel writer: Richard Holmes

Widely regarded as some of the best white-water rafting in the world, running the rapids formed by the Zambezi funnelling through the Batoka Gorge, is far and away the most popular adventure activity at Victoria Falls.

These are among the largest commercially rafted rapids in the world, and not for the faint-hearted. However, rafting companies take safety incredibly seriously and guides are trained in swift-water rescue and accredited by the International Rafting Federation.

Logistics

Price from: £100
Minimum age: 15
Age suitable: 15+
When: All year around
Duration: 5-10 hours

Getting there & doing it

Operators provide return transfers to the put-in point, where lifejackets and strict safety instructions are issued. Eight-man rafts are commonly used, with a professional guide on each raft.

 

When to do it

The first 10 rapids below the Falls can only be run during low water (roughly July to January), while in other months rafters are restricted to half-day trips on rapids 11-25 downstream.

From August to December multi-day rafting trips are offered, including overnight and multi-day trips.

Who to go with: organised tours

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Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls

Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls
If you're looking for adventure in Zimbabwe, experience the Zambezi River on a white-water rafting tour with pickup in Victoria Falls. With a guide, travel down one of the best one-day rafting rivers in the world, which plummets into a gorge at Victoria Falls, separating the placid river above the falls and the turbulent rapids below. The gorge is more than 328 feet (100 meter) deep at the falls and increases to more than 650 feet (200 meters) by the end of the full-day raft trip. Select a half-day or full-day trip when booking (dependent on availability). Water levels will determine whether you do low- or high-water rafting. 

Price: $140

Min age: 13

Rating 4.94 / 5 [189 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Full Day: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting 1-25

Livingstone

Full Day: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting 1-25
As you navigate through the breathtaking Batoka Gorge, prepare to be thrilled by the challenge of mastering 25 exhilarating rapids, each promising an unforgettable adrenaline rush regardless of the season. Maano Adventures is dedicated to ensuring an unparalleled rafting experience on the Zambezi, whether it's the refreshing breezes of spring or the warm embrace of summer. To ensure your adventure is both enjoyable and worry-free, we recommend bringing essentials such as quick-dry clothing, sun protection, and sturdy footwear—specifically sandals with straps, as flip-flops are not suitable. Meanwhile, it's best to leave behind items like your passport, jewelry, cellphone, camera, and any other valuables, safeguarding them from the river's unpredictable nature. By following these guidelines, you're set for a seamless and exhilarating adventure, courtesy of Maano Adventures' commitment to excellence in every rapid and turn of the Zambezi River..

Price: $170

Min age: 12

Rating 4.88 / 5 [150 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Half Day Zambezi Whitewater Rafting

Victoria Falls

Half Day Zambezi Whitewater Rafting
Dive into an exclusive adventure with a private rafting trip on the Zambezi River, perfect for families or small groups wanting a unique bonding experience. This personalized adventure lets you own your schedule and design the trip you want, away from the crowds. You'll have professional river guides all to yourselves, ensuring a safe and thrilling journey tailored just for your group. This isn't just any rafting trip. It's a chance to connect with nature and each other, creating lasting memories as you navigate the beautiful Zambezi together. Get ready for an unparalleled rafting experience that's all about you and your group's adventure desires.

Price: $140

Min age: 12

Rating 4.86 / 5 [137 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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White Water Rafting in Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

White Water Rafting in Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls is a mile long curtain of water that stretches across the glistening basalt rock, erupts into spray, and then thunders into the canyons below. The walls of basalt rock that capture the mighty Zambezi form one of the great river corridors of the world. This is the domain of the Nyaminyami, the River God of the Tonga people and is the ‘highway’ for our rafts. The gorge is over 100 meters deep at the Falls and increases to over 200 meters by the end of a full day White Water Rafting trip. Despite this rugged terrain, the gorges below the Falls are thick with vegetation and incredibly spectacular. The rapids on the Zambezi River are officially defined as “Grade 5” by the British Canoe Union (Grade 6 being commercially un-runnable). Clients should be reasonably fit for this activity, as there is a steep walk into & out of the Batoka Gorge as well as the White Water Rafting activity itself. Please note : This activity departs from Victoria Falls Town, Zimbabwe.

Price: $120

Min age: 14

Rating 4.68 / 5 [75 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Family with Kids, Zambezi River Whitewater Rafting

Victoria Falls

Family with Kids, Zambezi River Whitewater Rafting
Embark on a rafting trips with your kids, do not leave them behind while having fun on a awesome river. A good day to spend as a family and with your kids. This is a customized private trip. Kids love swimming in warm water of the Zambezi river, so give them that chance Optional of some rock jump We use USA class V life jackets for kids

Price: $150

Min age: 10

Rating 4.96 / 5 [33 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls

The world-famous Victoria Falls is also Africa’s adventure playground, offering an array of brilliant adrenalin-packed adventure activities plus Big Five safaris.

Round-ups

1

Round-ups that include this experience

Raft on giant rapids on the Zambezi

There are countless rivers with rapids out there that you can ‘raft’, but there are some stand-outs – for the size of their rapids and/or for their exceptional setting. Here are our recommendations.