Victoria Falls: Zambezi Whitewater Rafting & Gorge Hike

Summary

Raft wild Zambezi rapids below Victoria Falls with local guides

You’ll wake up to Victoria Falls’ distant roar before plunging into 25 wild Zambezi rapids with expert local guides beside you. Feel icy spray on your skin, paddle hard through Batoka Gorge’s shadows, then climb out for lunch under open sky. This day trip leaves you muddy, grinning—and maybe a little changed.

What’s the experience like?

First thing I remember is the sound — that low, steady thunder from Victoria Falls somewhere upstream, like a warning or maybe a dare. We’d just piled out of the van after pickup in Livingstone, squinting at the sun and half-laughing because nobody really knew what we were in for. Our guide, Tinashe, grinned and handed us helmets. “You’ll need this,” he said, then walked us through safety stuff with more patience than I deserved (I kept fiddling with my lifejacket straps). The air smelled sharp, almost metallic — river water mixed with dust and sunscreen.

The descent into Batoka Gorge was steeper than I pictured. My legs shook a bit but I blamed it on excitement. Down at the edge of the Zambezi River, you could feel how cold the water was just from the spray. Tinashe ran us through paddling basics again (“Forward means forward!”), and then we were off — straight into the first rapid before anyone had time to second-guess. There’s no way to describe those first few waves except chaos; water everywhere, shouts echoing off black basalt walls. At one point I swallowed half the river and came up sputtering while someone behind me whooped like it was a rollercoaster.

Somewhere around rapid 10 or 12 (they all blur together honestly), we found a weird rhythm — paddle hard, duck when Tinashe yells “down!”, laugh when someone falls in (it happened more than once). The cliffs closed in tight in places and you’d catch flashes of sunlight bouncing off wet rocks. There was this moment where everything went quiet between rapids; just birds overhead and our raft bobbing gently. I didn’t expect to feel so small out there — not scared exactly, just aware that this river’s been here forever.

The hike back up after rafting felt like a joke at first (who puts stairs here?), but somehow it turned into this slow parade of tired smiles and muddy shoes. Lunch tasted better than it should’ve — maybe because we’d earned it or maybe just because it was there waiting under a tree with cold drinks. Someone passed around photos on their phone later; I look ridiculous in most of them but also kind of proud. Still think about that view back down into the gorge sometimes — all that space and light after so much noise.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Zambezi River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

• Pick up from your hotel
• Transfer to rafting start point
• Attend safety talk
• Descend into Batoka Gorge
• Enjoy rafting adventure
• Hike up the gorge
• Have lunch break
• Transfer back to Livingstone
• Drop off at your hotel
• Collect video and photos

Top questions

How many rapids do you raft on the Zambezi tour?

You’ll tackle 25 rapids during the full-day whitewater rafting trip below Victoria Falls.

Is hotel pickup included for Zambezi whitewater rafting?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from your hotel or residence in Livingstone are included.

What should I bring for Zambezi River rafting?

Wear quick-dry clothes, sun protection, sturdy sandals with straps (not flip-flops), and leave valuables behind.

Is lunch provided during the day trip?

Yes, lunch is included after rafting—vegetarian options available if requested at booking.

Are photos or videos included in the tour?

Your day includes access to photos and video highlights from your rafting adventure.

Is this tour suitable for beginners?

You need moderate fitness; guides provide full safety briefings but some experience helps.

Where does the Zambezi rafting trip start?

The trip starts near Victoria Falls with transfer from Livingstone hotels to Batoka Gorge.

How long is the post-rafting hike out of Batoka Gorge?

The hike is short but steep—expect a challenging climb after finishing on the river.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup and drop-off from Livingstone, all transfers to Batoka Gorge near Victoria Falls, soft drinks and mineral water throughout, a hearty lunch under shady trees after your river run (vegetarian option if you ask ahead), plus photos and video memories so you don’t have to risk your phone on the water.