 |
 |
 Acclaimed
as the wildest one-day whitewater run in the World, the Zambezi River is
also recognized by rafting and kayaking enthusiasts as one of the top
ten paddling rivers on the planet!
If you don't immediately associate the terms "Stairway to
Heaven" and "Oblivion" with adventure then you haven't
experienced Zambezi Whitewater!
The Batoka Rapids
White Water Rafting on the Zambezi River in Victoria Falls has been
classified by the British Canoe Union as Grade 5 - "extremely
difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and
pressure areas". This is a high volume, pool-drop river with little
exposed rock either in the rapids or in the pools below the
rapids. Pick up a rapid-by-rapid account through the Batoka
Gorge....
The Batoka rapids below Victoria Falls were run in a raft for the
first time in March 1981
- SafPar was one of the first commercial rafting operations in the
early 90's and has established itself as the leading whitewater
outfit in Zambia: first in safety, gear, river guides and back-up.
- The company also pioneered river-boarding on the Zambezi and is
recognized as the top kayaking outfit on the Zambian shoreline at
Victoria Falls.
- The Zambezi Waterfront located 4km upstream of the falls is the
official base from which we conduct our rafting, kayaking and
riverboarding operations.
- Rafting is run on both the Zimbabwean and Zambian shorelines -
be sure that you're planning accommodation and other activities on
the same side to avoid extra visa/transfer costs.
Find out more about our whitewater rafting options - we offer
half and full day trips plus multi-day expeditions and a range of
adventure combinations.
SafPar operates year round. River conditions are determined by
seasonally predictable fluctuations in water levels. Low water
season generally runs from August to January each year - this is when
the Zambezi is at its very wildest. We're in high water from about
February to July with a short "closed season" around April/May
depending on the season's rains. The River Report is an
update on current rafting conditions in Victoria Falls.
|
|
|
- The Zambezi rapids: a
review of each rapid through the Batoka Gorge plus guidelines on
rapid classifications
- The River Report: some
background on seasonal fluctuations plus the latest news on local
conditions
- The rafting options: full
details and modus operandi on the half and full day trips plus the
multi-day expeditions and the adventure combos.......
- River Boarding: Pioneered
by SafPar with Jon Imhoof in 1996, the sport involves
"surfing" the rapids on body boards accompanied by a
qualified River Guide. [Riverboarding
fact file]
- Kayaking: Half and full day tandem
trips through the Batoka Gorge in Topolino Duo Kayaks [Kayaking
fact file]
- Rafting photos: a
selection of river shots, spills and other action on the Zambezi -
compiled into 7 galleries of pictures - all images may be freely
distributed!
- Online bookings: if you're
keen on a one day trip you can "pitch and paddle" or book
in advance. For multi-day expeditions and canoe trails, advance bookings are
essential.
- Friends of SafPar: some of our
friends from around the web....
- MSNBC:
an account by Richard Bangs from Expedia.com
...more on Victoria Falls...
- The Zambezi Waterfront:
SafPar's main base opposite Siloka Island just 4 km upstream from
Victoria Falls. Offers a full range of accommodations and
amenities including a campsite, a tented "Adventure
Village" and comfortable chalets.
- The Vic Falls alternatives: a
full menu of tame and extreme activities from bungee, kayaking,
riverboarding, jetboating, canoeing, abseiling, horse and elephant
trails, game drives, aerial options, fishing trips, safaris and
essential tours in Victoria Falls and Livingstone
- Flights
to Victoria Falls: a guide to obtaining cheap airfares to
Africa. Includes maps and information on Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana,
Namibia and South Africa plus travel tips, hints and an online Trip
Planner..
...more on safaris...
If you're looking for a safari in Botswana, Zambia or elsewhere
in southern or East Africa then go to our main safari site at
www.zambezi.com
Extraordinary African Safaris: arguably the best safaris
available anywhere in Africa...
If you've never been on safari before then we recommend that you
take a look at this "Safari
Primer" for a quick overview of Africa's main safari
destinations, seasons, different types of African safaris, some
ideas on costs and prices plus a simple guide to planning your
travels.
|
|
|
Last updated
15 January 2009
|
