The Mighty Zambezi rafting
White water rafting on the Zambezi River. This is an absolute gem of a trip – featuring big white water, spectacular African scenery and warm sunny weather! One of the many highlights is bobbing around at the base of the magnificent Victoria Falls – definitely one of the more dramatic places on this planet to begin a 7 day river adventure. Your following days are spent challenging some of the most awesome rapids with names like ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Stairway to Heaven’ while your nights involve camping on expansive beaches of white sand, gin and tonic in hand listening to the noises of wild Africa. And after completing one of the most exhilarating adventures in the world, you can head off to sample the wildlife viewing that this region is famous for. A brilliant way to really top off your trip to Africa. Other trips available in this destination are our multi activity Zambezi Ultimate Adventure, the Zambezi Blast with safari to Botswana or our African Odyssey vacation.
Itinerary & Map
Arrive into Livingstone, sample the beauty of the Victoria Falls and then a chance of doing a sunset cruise on the gorgeous Upper Zambezi, before returning to our hotel.
Not included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
We start the trip beneath one of the Seven Natural Wonders Of The World, Victoria Falls with lunch on our first day and take on some of the best rapids on the planet. Stairway to Heaven, Devils Toilet Bowl and Star Trek… are just a few before arriving at camp for snacks and cold drinks!
Included: All meals
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!
Included: All meals
Amazing sights of Fish Eagles amidst other great 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
We portage the rafts around Lower Moemba and the Chabango Falls, then load up again and run the amazing rapid, Ghostrider!
Included: All meals
Yay! Its layover day! On a stunning remote sandy beach a chance to relax, swim or try your hand at kayaking!
Included: All meals
A great mellow day to relax on more gentle water, take in a few waves and lie back and enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
Included: All meals
A gorgeous overnight camp gives rise to the gorge opening out and us rafting amongst hippos and crocs! We pack up the gear and take a spectacular 40 minute helicopter flight through part of the gorge and over the spectacular Victoria Falls arriving back to our lodge on the banks of the Zambezi. You have done one of the best river trips in the world.
Included: All Meals
A chance for some last minute shopping before your flight home.
Included: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
| Dates | Duration | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saturday 6 September 2025 - Sunday 14 September 2025 | 9 days | £4995 | €5995 | $6495 |
| Saturday 27 September 2025 - Sunday 5 October 2025 | 9 days | £4995 | €5995 | $6495 |
What you should bring
We find most of our clients have in their posession already what is needed for our river rafting expeditions. We have broken down here the items into what you’ll need on the river and in camp. Each guest will get a drybag to use for the trip once in Livingstone. A short video on the size of this and how to pack your drybag can be viewed here. An equipment list of what you will require for your adventure will be sent to you prior to your departure along with your Water By Nature Travel Bag.
Download equipment file- A pair of Chacos / Keens or similar sandals. (Sandals with a closed toe are ideal)
- 2 pairs of river shorts (longer leg length) shorts can be purchased from our online Water Shop.
- 2 Swimming costumes or bikinis for ladies.
- 2 rash vests (not cotton) or long sleeved tops to wear under your personal flotation device.
- A baseball cap for under the helmet to keep sun off – can be purchased from our online Water Shop.
- Sunglasses.
- Chums for fastening your sunglasses to your head – can be purchased on line or from your river crew.
- 1 Litre Nalgene / Sigg or similar water bottle.
- Carabiner for fastening water bottle to your boat.
- Waterproof camera such as GoPro for the ‘action’ shots
- Waterproof sunscreen and lip balm SPF30 minimum.
- 2 Lightweight neutral coloured long trousers.
- 2 Lightweight tops – long sleeved shirt or t shirt.
- 2 pair of Shorts.
- Fleece jumper / sweatshirt.
- Sarong.
- Wide brimmed sun hat.
- Underwear.
- A 4-season sleeping bag for August departures, 3-season sleeping bag for September onwards. (Can be hired in advance)
- Travel Pillow.
- Light weight down jacket for August departures.
- Flip flops for wearing around camp.
- Thermal top and bottoms. (Good to sleep in)
- Glasses or Contact lenses. Disposable lenses are ideal.
- Toiletries. Toothbrush, toothpaste, biodegradable soap and shampoo.
- Forget the cosmetics and hair dryer! But we do suggest moisturizer.
- Hand wipes and a small bottle of hand sanitiser.
- Small pack towel.
- Headlamp or head torch with spare batteries.
- Any medication you may be taking.
- Anti malarial medication.
- Insect repellent.
- Your favourite book/kindle or a journal for recording your river memories.
- Sketchpad.
- Binoculars.
- Photographic or video equipment. We recommend a cleaning kit as sand gets everywhere.
- Spare memory card.
- Solar or portable charger.
- Zip lock bags to keep valuables dry and sand free.
- Rehydration tablets (Phizz, Nuun and O.R.S are easily available)
- The only money that you need to bring is for meals in town, souvenirs, DVD, personal items, gratuities and the beer kitty for the raft trip if you drink.
- If you wish to pass on a gratuity to your guide we leave this entirely up to you.
The Mighty Zambezi rafting Reviews
The Mighty Zambezi - truly the trip of a lifetime.
I’ve white water rafted many top-notch and incredible rivers with a number of white water rafting companies and my ride down the Zambezi in 2011 with Water by Nature still ranks as the best white water trip ever by the best company ever. Safety, white water rafting knowledge and the sheer enthusiasm of the crew for providing unbelievable memories…it’s all there. You won’t ever regret taking on the Mighty Zambezi with Water by Nature.
The Only Way to Travel Down the Mighty Zambezi
Water By Nature is the ONLY company you want to travel with as you navigate the Mighty Zambezi. My recent trip in August ‘18 was outstanding on a number of levels. First and foremost is safety and our professional guides. They are knowledgeable and know the river well. They provide the adrenaline rush of the rapids while ensuring our well being.
In addition the food is incredible- variety, well prepared, fresh and healthy, and yes, each evening there’s a proper “Happy Hour.”
Our campsites were pristine white beaches with all necessary amenities… camp toilet and a mini portable “shower”- the ability to rinse off at the end of the day is a bonus.
Each evening, after our guides prepared and served dinner, they would entertain us with songs and stories and we’d sit around a campfire, listening to the river, and watching the night sky.
Finally, at the end of the week, we were helicoptered out to a lovely lodge overlooking the river.
Water By Nature has it all and I’ve booked trips for ‘19 and ‘20.
Most of us will only do the Zambezi once, and doing it with the right company and guides is key.
The Mighty Zambezi - Get It While You Can
If you’re looking for a good time, Hamish and his boys are the way to go!
I had the most amazing time with Hamish and his crew on the Zambezi River for 7 days. The entire team was focused on safety first and foremost, both on and off the water, which was reassuring being a solo female traveler in the middle of nowhere, Africa. The rapids were incredible. Sadly, they will be disappearing in the future when the dam gets built downriver. We did have to do several Portages due to high waters, but the team made it fun and made sure to assist us where needed (as well as keep the jokes flowing and everyone laughing). Everyone was beyond friendly, and the smiles, laughs and jokes were contagious. And the food, can’t forget about the food…props to them for making such great dishes on the middle of nowhere. Especially to Lovemore who was able to bake over a campfire!
I have already put a deposit down to travel with them again next year for 2 weeks in Nepal!
If you’re looking for a great time on a remote river with safe and fun guides, this is the team to go with! A huge thank you to Hamish, Isaac, Lovemore, Zalawi, Darwin, and especially my guide, Julio!
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