Tour name: Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari
This holiday is a combination of the best whitewater rafting on offer on the Zambezi River for 4 days together with a 3 day safari to Chobe National Park - The perfect combo!
Duration: 8 Days
Grading:MODERATEMax Group Size: 16
Type:SMALL GROUPPrices from: £1695
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Tour Overview
The ultimate white water rafting adventure, rafting trips just don’t get much better than this. Deep in the Batoka Gorge, bathed in the mist from the legendary Victoria Falls, begins a rafting journey full of drama and excitement. The Zambezi River is home to some of the most exhilarating white water rafting rapids in the world and the combination of it’s spectacular scenery, fascinating wildlife and unique African culture, makes this trip world famous.
This exclusive rafting trip offers you the ‘best of the best’, the greatest in white water rafting action but reduced to four days, leaving you time to compliment your rafting trip with 3 days on safari, watching Africa’s fascinating and unusual selection of wildlife.
A trip of a lifetime from remote sandy beaches, helicopter flights up the stunning Batoka gorge, topped off with some awesome game viewing.
YOUR SAFETY
Rafting has long been plagued by the myth that it is dangerous, extreme and only for adrenaline junkies. Rafting is our profession, so we take it seriously. We are serious about safety, about good food, good times and serious about fun! We offer trips to suit all ages and abilities - it is not about fitness, Rafting is about fun. Our youngest white water rafting client to date was 6 years old, and our most mature was a 73 year old blind chap, who did a 7-day Zambezi white water rafting trip! (He was not into the scenery, but loved getting wet).
Your safety on our rafting trips is our number one priority on and off the river. Without exception we believe in safety kayakers on all rafting trips. In addition, on our more challenging rafting trips we utilize a safety cataraft. Our biggest safety feature are our world-class, certified, professional rafting guides – you will appreciate the difference that they make.
We have a comprehensive first aid kit and all our guides are trained in Wilderness First Aid. We also carry satellite phones on all of our trips and we were the first rafting company to do this.
With our enviable safety record we are at the forefront of the white-water industry with our constant training and innovative safety procedures.
GOURMET FOOD
At the end of a great day rafting on the river, cool après rafting drinks will be served to you along with platters of snacks. You will love sipping your gin and tonic or cold beer amongst spectacular surroundings.
Nothing tastes better than a delicious meal cooked by your rafting guide, who transforms into a fantastic riverside chef in the evening. (River rafting guides actually think of themselves as cooks and cleaners who raft to work each day). You will be amazed at just what will be whipped up out of the raft’s coolers. We cater for all dietary preferences as long as you let us know!
OUR EQUIPMENT
We believe high quality rafting equipment makes for a safer and more comfortable rafting trip for you, the client. When rafting on the river you’ll wear high flotation Americas Cup life jackets and sturdy helmets and on our cooler trips, wetsuits and waterproof spray jackets.
Off the river, with your gin and tonic in hand, we believe camping should be civilized. Stay cool in the shade under large tarps, lounging in comfy thermorest seats, chatting with your fellow adventurers. You will sleep well in quality tents, on thick thermorests.
We use AVON self-bailing rafts, specifically designed for paddle rafting, which means you as a paddler are stable and comfortable. We find most of our guests have in their posession everything that is needed for a river trip and little if anything needs to be purchased on your part for the trip. If you want to see what gear we recommend for your destination, please go to the page outlining that trip and click the "What You Should Bring" tab.
This trip provides the perfect adventure holiday in Southern Africa. As well as taking on the best rapids in the world (and don't think you can't do this. We had a 73 year old blind lady accompany us last year) complimented by the most impressive game viewing area in Southern Africa in Chobe National Park.
Guiding and support
Our guides have a phenomenal knowledge on wildlife and birdlife. You'll also gain a great deal of insight into the history of Livingstone as well as the fascinating geology of this region.
After his 20 years rafting rivers to every corner of the world, Hamish loves nothing more than to get out on river rafting trips with his clients.
Hamish is proud of his team and his rafting company, who are all "living their rafting dreams" and sharing that philosophy with all who join them.
Hamish's favourite river rafting trips:
Zanskar River
"Ever since I have been a kid, running rivers has been part of my life. I love the escapism a river brings not only to me,, but the great people that accompany us on our trips. This year we'll be making our first trip to India and running the majestic Zanskar River. Rivers are such important arteries in the world, and this trip is no exception. You'll see sights on this trip, that you would not be able to see by any other means than travelling with a raft. We'll trek to Buddhist Monasteries and journey downstream to the Indus river, giving this wonderful country her name."
The Mighty Zambezi
"The Zambezi for me is one of the classic river trips the world has to offer. The big warm water, spectacular beaches and stunning scenery make it unique. Sitting watching water tumble over a Grade Six waterfall from our camp, enjoying a Gin and Tonis is not a bad way to finish off you day! Africa really gets into your soul. Its a wonderful experience, so much so, my wife and I married on the Zambezi 2 years ago."
Too many years rafting on the river has caused this guy to shrink, but what he lacks in legs, he makes up for guiding you down the world’s best whitewater rafting rivers.
Koryn loves teaching people about the river, and makes a river rafting trip an educational experience.
He is not only a great cook, but a solid man to have around camp. Koryn is one of our rafting expedition leaders, with more than 15 years rafting on the river.
Favourite river rafting trips
The Zambezi Blast
"I told those guys not to talk about me being short! Water By Nature takes me to the best rivers in the world. I get to work with fun guides and fun clients, get to raft all day and have a beer on a spectacular beach in the evenings. The Zambezi is a river I have spent loads of time on, and it just gets more fun. There is nothing better than getting your crew through a 15 foot wave of warm Zambezi Water. The trip finishes off superbly at Taita Falcon after the helicopter flight up the gorge."
High Water Turkey
"As a river goes, its hard to beat the continuous nature of the Coruh. Its jjust rapid after rapid out there in amongst these amazing mountains. Turks are really friendly people and they are incredibly welcoming to our groups when we visit. One trip I did there, one guy even ran down to the raft while we were all sitting in an eddy and bought us all a cup of tea! Awesome!"
Just the mere size of Stan will inspire confidence in you. But size isn’t everything!
Stan grew up in Africa, and has an absolute love of animals, nature and the environment. He is the master of culinary surprises and organizing your perfect rafting trip.
After training up on the Tugela river in South Africa, Stan has traversed the world primarily under paddle power. He runs our rafting trips superbly from start to finish in USA, Ethiopia, Chile, Nepal, Turkey and Zambia.
Stan's Favourite river rafting trips:
The Mighty Zambezi
"I think its pretty special to be able to take some like minded folks from around the globe on one of WBN's trips. They all offer something just a little bit different, I guess thats why so many of them come back for another trip. For me though, having lunch in the Boiling Pot under Victoria Falls has to be one of the coolest places to start a river trip. You know you have seven fun filled days ahead of you, great white water, awesome beaches, great wildlife and plenty of stories."
Tamur River
"I have been going back to Nepal now for over 10 years. Its a place that has the most intriguing culture and people and some amazing white water as well. The Tamur for me is the complete river expedition. Our clients have little idea until they start this trip what an amazing journey this is. Its great that we walk into the river with 70-80 porters and experience their culture and way of life on the way. Once we hit the river... its a full on rollercoaster that gets everyone stoked that they are here!"
Country of Origin - South Africa
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Tour Highlights
Start your white water rafting adventure in the spray beneath Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World. We'll take on the best rafting rapids the Zambezi has to offer, camping on remote sandy beaches in the heart of the Batoka Gorge. You'll sample wonderful cuisine and be guided on this rafting trip by our international, world class team of river rafting professionals. Enjoy a stunning helicopter flight out of the gorge after 4 days premier rafting, with a flight over the falls and to our lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River.
The following day, you'll be transferred to Botswana and Chobe National Park, Southern Africa's top game viewing spot for a three day safari before your transfer back to Livingstone for your flight home.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Start of your rafting adventure
Arrive into Livingstone where our trip leader will meet you and escort you to your hotel. Afterwards we will settle into holiday mode with a sunset cruise on the Upper Zambezi, before returning to our hotel.
Not included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 2 | Rafting beneath Victoria Falls
We start the rafting trip beneath Victoria Falls, (not above as we get asked!) and take on some of the best rapids on the planet. Stairway to Heaven, Devils Toilet Bowl and the Midnight Diner ... are just a few! Snacks and cold drinks will be ready on your arrival into camp.
Included: All meals
Day 3 | Rafting Creamy White Buttocks, the Mother and OBLIVION!
After breakfast we load the rafts with all our food and equipment for the rest of the trip and take on exhilerating rapids such as Creamy White Buttocks, the Mother and OBLIVION! Tonight we spend the evening at Bobo Camp. Sit around the campfire, enjoy your meal and check out your "million star hotel."
Included: All meals
Day 4 | Great rafting rapids
Amazing sights of Fish Eagles amidst other great rafting rapids, Open Season, the Narrows and one of our favourites, Upper Moemba! This is a great adrenaline rush to end the day.
Included: All meals
Day 5 | Raft the amazing Ghostrider!
We portage the rafts around Lower Moemba. At Chabango Falls we leave our gear raft and portage the rafts and kayaks and run the amazing rapid, Ghostrider! The helicopter will be waiting for us and will give you an amazing 20 minute flight through and out of the gorge, as well as a flight over the Falls. We overnight at Waterberry Lodge and enjoy a celebration dinner together.
Included: All meals
Day 6 | Game drive in Chobe National Park
This morning we'll have breakfast overlooking the Zambezi River, before we transfer to Botswana and Chobe National Park. We have a game drive in the morning and the afternoon will see us on a boat cruise on the Chobe River where a wide and diverse array of wildlife can be seen. We'll have a sundowner before returning to our camp.
Included: All meals
Day 7 | Chobe National Park
This morning we'll get up early and do a game drive. This allows us to see a far larger variety of game than in the heat of the day. We return for breakfast and a siesta (this is a holiday after all) Chobe has a wide variety of game including elephants, lion, giraffe and prolific birdlife.
Included: All meals
Day 8 | End of your rafting adventure
We get the chance for one last game drive, before getting on our vehicle and transfering back to Livingstone and our return flight home.
Not included are international flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, innoculations, sleeping bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside what is provided
Not included are international flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, innoculations, sleeping bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside what is provided
Not included are international flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, innoculations, sleeping bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside what is provided
Not included are international flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, innoculations, sleeping bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside what is provided
Not included are international flights, visas, departure taxes, travel insurance, innoculations, sleeping bags, video or dvd of your trip, alcohol, personal items or gratuities. You will also need to budget for meals in town which are not included in the price and any extra accommodation outside what is provided
In conjunction with our team of international guides, we employ the best Zambian guides on the river. In addition we support local schools and AIDS programmes based out of Livingstone. We purchase locally grown goods where we can and support local communities in the hotels that we use on our trips. When the opportunity arises down the river, we trade goods with local fishermen. All waste is carried out with us and hey what better way of being environmental than PADDLE POWER!
Our Trusted Partner's Responsible and Sustainable Travel Policy
We are a whitewater rafting company, and so the great outdoors is our office and our playground, it is where we work and where we have fun. Most importantly, it is where we entertain our clients on their rafting trips. That is why we keep it clean.
We are environmentally-friendly in as many small ways as possible, eg in our indoor office we prefer emailing instead of letter-writing, recycling everything we are able to recycle, and to make up for anything we cannot recycle (because the recycleman won’t accept it) we plant trees in Chile to offset this. In fact, we plant one tree for every client, so we have quite a small forest on a beautiful piece of land next to one of our favourite rafting rivers.
On our rafting trips we do not leave anything behind where we camp – all rubbish is carried out and dealt with at the end of the trip, same with human waste. We leave places as we found them, (sometimes even nicer than when we found them!) Let’s face it, rafting is an environmentally sound way to travel, the only energy needed to propel the boats forward is provided by the river and your arms!
To support the local communities, we buy our produce from them along the way, sleep and eat in locally-run establishments where possible, and interact sensibly with tribes on the riverbanks as we believe in positive cultural exchanges so as not to change their lives – this means trade not aid.
About our Trusted Partner
Water By Nature grew out of a passion for running rivers and taking a bunch of like-minded people to remote and exciting parts of the world. It was founded by kiwi, Hamish McMaster, who had spent many years guiding the best rivers around the globe, in such countries as Nepal, Zambia, Israel, New Zealand, Australia, America and Europe. His vision was to start a company dedicated to providing safe, fun, exciting and cultural trips for clients and guides alike. He leads a team of world-renowned river professionals, who have helped him to realize this vision. Water By Nature is now the rafting specialist of the world. Our classic river journeys stand alongside climbing Kilimanjaro and trekking the Inca Trail in their appeal to the most avid adventurers. Our palette of river journeys reflect that we raft the best rivers in the world, and with 80% of our clients returning for a second trip, we must be doing something right! Many clients have expressed their amazement that a river journey entails so much more than just the river.
Rafting has long been plagued by the myth that it is dangerous, extreme and only for adrenaline junkies. Rafting is our profession, so we take it seriously. We are serious about safety, about good food, good times and serious about fun! We offer trips to suit all ages and abilities - it is not about fitness, it is about fun. Our youngest client to date was 6 years old, and our most mature was a 73 year old blind chap, who did a 7-day Zambezi trip! (He was not into the scenery, but loved getting wet).
From the moment you call or email our offices in the UK or the US, until you get home safely after your trip, you will be assured by our knowledge of the adventure travel industry. Our office staff will be able to answer all your questions, whether it be about visas, flights or hippos. Our river crews have a level of experience that is unmatched in the white water industry. They will navigate you safely down the river, and fill you with knowledge of wildlife and local customs. They will also keep you amused with a few river stories from their years exploring the world.
The thrill of another sucessful line on the Zambezi : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
The thrill of another sucessful line on the Zambezi
Relaxing after "Oblivion" : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Relaxing after "Oblivion"
A sunset cruise on the Upper Zambezi : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
A sunset cruise on the Upper Zambezi
The view from your tent... : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
The view from your tent...
24 degree warm Zambezi water to cool you down : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
24 degree warm Zambezi water to cool you down
The Angels Armchair, Victoria Falls : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
The Angels Armchair, Victoria Falls
Paul running "Creamy White Buttocks" with his crew : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Paul running "Creamy White Buttocks" with his crew
Safety kayakers on ALL trips : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Safety kayakers on ALL trips
Victoria Falls road and rail bridge : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Victoria Falls road and rail bridge
Lion sighting in Chobe National Park : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Lion sighting in Chobe National Park
No shortage of elephants in Botswana : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
No shortage of elephants in Botswana
Escape your busy life... there are no mobiles here... : Amazing Zambezi Blast - Rafting & Safari at www.NatureandKind.com (THE.NATURAL.CHOICE)
Escape your busy life... there are no mobiles here...
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