Full Day Whitewater Rafting Experience in Livingstone: An In-Depth Guide
If you’re planning a visit to Livingstone, Zambia, then a full-day whitewater rafting experience should definitely be approached the top of your list of things to do. Home to some of the most popular rapids in the world – including Devils Pool, Boiling Pot, and (of course) the iconic Victoria Falls – Livingstone welcomes thousands of adventure seekers each year, looking for a thrill-of-a-lifetime experience with some of nature’s wildest and most spectacular water features.
A Brief History Of Rafting Adventures On The Zambezi River
Rafting has been an ongoing presence in the Zambezi River region since the mid-1980s. In 1981, eight pioneering partakers were the first ever recorded individuals navigating rapids in the Zambezi, and since then, whitewater raftingadventures have been providing countless adventurers with epic tales to share for years to come.
Of course, any watersport activity comes with its challenges and warnings, and a full day experience on the Zambezi River is no different. As discussed more fully in section 5, it’s vital that you understand your ability and limitations before embarking on any river journey –particularly when it comes to rapids above grade 3 – however, when you have the experience and guidance of professional whitewater rafters and tour guides, you can rest assured that your whitewater rafting experience on the Zambezi River looks like one full of laughs, memories, and wonder.
Choosing A Rafting Experience provider on The Zambezi River
When it comes to choosing a whitewater rafting experience provider on the Zambezi River, there are many companies which provide tours and services with differing levels of expertise and quality. Ultimately, it’s important that you do your research beforehand, looking at other people’s experiences through customer reviews, as well as assessing a variety of providers’ approaches to safety and security before signing any contracts.
To help you out during your research process, here is a table summarizing three of the most commonly sought rafting providers in Livingstone:
| Provider | Age/ Experience Requirements | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Frog Forge Adventures | 18+;Two days previous whitewater rafting experience | $238/person |
| Adventure Activities Agency | 16+; No prior experience required | $240/person |
| Raging Rapids Tours | 16+; No prior experience required | $200/person |
However you decide to approach your rafting adventure on the Zambezi River, it’s important to note that some providers may have an additional cost for food and drinks, so be sure to read the small print thoroughly when you’re making your booking.
Pre-Trip Planning And Checklist For Your Zambezi Whitewater Rafting Experience
In order to make sure that your rafting adventure is one you’ll never forget (in a good way!), there are a few pre-trip items that we recommend packing. Whether you’re booking for beginners or veterans, here’s a handy checklist of items you should certainly consider taking with you on your rafting adventure:
- Waterproof containers/cases: for cameras, phones, GoPros;
- Sunscreen: (UPF 50 is best);
- Sunglasses: (polarized lenses are great for reducing glare);
- Hat: (wide-brimmed hats are preferable);
- Swimwear: (including wetsuits if required);
- Change Of Clothes (including flip-flops and comfortable shoes);
- Insect Repellent (to protect against mosquito bites);
- Snacks: (including energy snacks for the journey home);
- Water Bottle: (enough for a full day of hydration);
- First Aid Kit: (containing antiseptic cream, plasters/bandages, antihistamines). What To Expect On A Full Day Whitewater Rafting Trip In The Zambezi River?
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A full day whitewater rafting tour can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life – both physically and mentally challenging turned into an unforgettable torrential adventure. It is truly humbling to experience the power of nature from inside a kayak or inside a boat as you take on waves of varying difficulties across miles of surging rapids within both daylight and darkness. Given that no two excursions are typically alike – crew teams have the ability to customize their journey – here’s what you can expect across an average full-day Zambezi rafting adventure…
Early Morning Pick-Up:
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You’ll typically be collected from your hotel between 8 am and 8.30 am – depending on the provider you choose – so it’s vitally important that you make sure you get a good night’s rest before setting out on your rafting adventure. This is essential because once you arrive on site at the riverbanks; you will immediately be given a thorough safety demonstration off all necessary techniques required prior to entering the currents – that way, everyone can be reassured and confident fellow team members know exactly what they are doing! Once these have completed satisfactorily and everyone is fully kitted up with life jackets and helmets; then it’s time for some fun!
Expect to be greeted on arrival at the river by your team leader (often local Livingstone dwellers), who’ll be leading you across miles of surrounding rapids throughout your trip. After loading up any necessary rafting gear into one of the provided boats; it’s time for an explosion of excitement. Most full-day Zambezi River adventures will kick off by tackling rapids between Grade 3 and Grade 5 – ideal for both entry-level rafters as well as more experienced enthusiasts – with everyone taking turns to navigate along wild rapids between the banks of Zambian hills –living in unison with nature’s strongest water features.
After a few hours paddling across rapids between grade 3 and 5 – don’t worry, this will all be discussed in detail during your safety briefing prior to departure – lunch stop will eventually arrive around midday with most providers offering a variety of classic Zambian dishes with lots of local flavor! After which it’s back into nature as you take on some higher grade rapids! Most companies often try their best to hurry along lower grade rapids either side of lunch so as to give rafters more time tackling the morewintry Grade 5 flows later in the day.
If you’re lucky enough to go on such a full day excursion at sunset; then one of Zambia’s most sensational views awaits – where remarkable hues of orange will oilily grace all those adventurous enough to paddle under nightfall for unforgettable memories that last life-time!
After hours of adrenaline-inducing twists and turns; rafters will eventually find their way upstream back to their awaiting pick-up spot where they will be swiftly taken around 6 pm back to their hotel base, ready to immediately immerse themselves into epic small talk conversations with friends and family or just simply relive those daytime marvels all over again!
As discussed earlier in this guide; it’s vitally important that we reiterate –for our readers own health and safety—that individuals who have intake excessive amounts alcohol should not partake in any form of whitewater rafting whatsoever! Please respect all guidelines given by the safety representative prior to departure!
As far as travel insurance goes too; we advise that you go ahead and get covered prior to embarking upon any such activity across The Zambezi River, so that you can be covered in the eventuality should anything unexpected take place amid your wild safari trip!
After comprehensive consideration carried out feeling secure in the knowledge that everyone knows exactly what they’re doing; what better way is there truly experience Livingstone than b o o s t i n g across wild rapids whilst admiring daunting Zambian cliffs blushing with nature’s most vibrant colors?! An activity such as this should be an operatic part of any traveler’s list who wishes to take in all Livingston has to offer — don’t forget your camera!
If you want to take part in this unforgettable experience then we recommend booking a Full Day Whitewater Rafting Experience with Get Your Guide here, to ensure that everything goes smoothly from booking through departure. For more information on what’s needed for an unforgettable rafting experience on the Zambezi River, we have written an extensive article about our time spent with Raging Rapids Tours which outlines what exactly visitors should expect prior to departure. Click here.
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