White Water Rafting Victoria Falls: Grade 5 Rapids

Navigate the Zambezi’s basalt gorges where the River God’s spray roars around you

White water rafting on the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls puts you in control of a raft through one of the world's most intense river sections, classified Grade 5 by the British Canoe Union. Hotel pickup and a full day of paddling or oar-boat work takes you through either the low-water rapids 1–18 (July to mid-February) or the high-water section 11–23 (February to July), with lunch and all safety gear included.

The experience

The Zambezi is a high-volume, pool-drop river where the water erupts from Victoria Falls and thunders into basalt canyons below. The rapids are classified Grade 5: extremely difficult, with long violent sections, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas. You choose between an oar boat, where you control the oars, or a paddle boat, where you and the crew work together through each rapid. A guide leads the day and talks through the water ahead.

Low-water season (July to mid-February) is the most intense time to go: the river runs lower and faster, and the day trip covers rapids 1 through 18. High-water season (February to July) brings four times the volume of the Colorado River at its peak, and the route moves downstream to rapids 11 through 23. Either way, you spend nine hours on the water with lunch served between sections. Hotel pickup is included, and you leave your valuables in a safekeeping facility at the town office before you launch.

The river is the domain of the Nyaminyami, the River God of the Tonga people, and the highway for the rafts. Basalt walls rise on both sides as you work through the rapids and drift through the pools between them. Coffee and tea are provided before the day starts, and bottled water and soda travel with you on the raft.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and transport to the launch site.
• safety jackets and rings.
• all rafting equipment.
• lunch.
• bottled water, soda, coffee and tea.
• live English-speaking guide for the full day.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (19 to 40 years) · Senior (41 to 75 years) · Youth (12 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 19 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 15

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Physically demandingNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Khanondo Tours & Safaris

Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you do not need a car or a way to reach the river. The nine-hour day is physically demanding and requires a high level of fitness, so it suits someone who trains or has spent time on moving water before.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 18 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What does Grade 5 white water actually mean on the Zambezi?

Grade 5 rapids are extremely difficult, with long violent sections, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas. The Zambezi is a high-volume, pool-drop river, so you move through intense rapids and then drift through calmer pools between them, all classified as Grade 5 by the British Canoe Union.

Do I paddle or does someone else row the raft?

You choose at check-in: an oar boat puts you in control of the oars, or a paddle boat has you and the crew paddling together through the rapids.

When is the best time of year to go rafting on the Zambezi?

Low-water season (July to mid-February) is the most exciting time to go. The river runs lower and faster, and the day covers rapids 1 through 18. High-water season (February to July) brings much larger volumes and moves the route downstream to rapids 11 through 23.

How does hotel pickup work for the rafting day?

Hotel pickup is included. You are collected from your hotel and taken to Khanondo Town Office for a briefing before the day starts.

What happens to my phone, wallet and keys during the raft?

A safekeeping facility at Khanondo Town Office lets you leave valuables at your own risk while you are on the water.