Considered one of the
best stretches of commercially run river in the world, the Zambezi
is the place to go for some top class grade five white water rafting.
The adrenaline junkie will get a wild rollercoaster ride on the
series of 23 foamy rapids that stretch from the bottom of the Victoria
Falls for 22 km. The rapids are run in large inflatable rubber rafts,
launched from just below the falls. Stairway to Heaven, Overland
Truck Eater, and Oblivion are just a few of the expressive names of
the rapids. The idea is to flip, have a washing machine cycle good
time, before being popped by your life jacket from the depths of
the Zambezi into the frothy sun.
Low water runs are the most adventurous and generally operate from
mid August to late December when the rapids are mostly grade four
or five and all 23 are navigable. One is grade six, so
you have to walk around as only the experienced guides, or ‘river
gods’, are permitted to steer the rafts and kayaks through
it.
High water runs only traverse rapids 11 to 18 from the beginning of
July to mid August, and are unlikely to spill you out the raft.
There’s some striking scenery within the deep black cliffs,
but remember: at almost 100 metres deep the Bakota Gorge is a tough
place to walk out of.
You’ll be glad of the cold beer at the top of the gorge after
a day of being thrown around in white water and the steep climb.
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