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 5 white water rafting. The adrenaline
junkie will get a wild roller coaster ride on the series of 23 foamy
rapids that stretch from the bottom of the Victoria Falls for 22km.
The rapids are run in large inflatable rubber rafts and 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. All 23 are navigable, though one is grade six and you
have to walk around because 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 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 out.
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