Zambezi White Water Rafting: The 14 Best Trips

1.Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 243 reviews · from $140Our pick

Start with hotel pickup, a light breakfast, and a safety briefing before hiking into the Zambezi Gorge. Paddle up to 14 miles through Class IV and V rapids with guides such as JB, Terence, Silent, or Pumba. Gear, lunch, drinks, and return transport are included, but the steep gorge hike is demanding.

“The whitewater rafting was great. JB and his crew were amazing (special shoutout to Liberty)… very safe, friendly and informative. Also incredibly patient. The climb down the gorge to put in and back up at the end is no joke. It’s a lot of climbing over rocks, steps made of branches and loose gravel. I’m in good shape and I do some hiking, but I found this very challenging, especially in water shoes. But the team was very encouraging and helpful and didn’t rush us, literally holding my hand through portions. The barbecue chicken and beer at the end of the climb were a nice payoff.”

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2.Half Day Zambezi Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 149 reviews · from $140

Raft the Zambezi below Victoria Falls with Maano Adventures, tackling Grade 3 to 5 rapids in Batoka Gorge. Guides including James and his crew give commands, manage safety, and capture optional photos and video. Hotel transfers, lunch, and drinks are included, but expect a demanding climb from the river and possible border or visa costs.

“The guys that work for the company, James, Andrew, Abraham, Clement and all were fantastic from start to finish. Picked us up from Hotel where Jarvis our driver was awesome, drove us to the border and navigated us thru the border to James in Zambia. The only thing I will tell you if you are not fit don't go as the climb out of the river is not for the faint hearted.”

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3.White Water Rafting in Zimbabwe

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 88 reviews · from $120Best value

Spend about seven hours rafting the Zambezi below Victoria Falls with Wild Horizons. You’ll tackle rapids graded up to V, paddle under a professional guide, and climb a steep 750-foot gorge afterward. James and Colgate are among the guides praised for clear instruction and good humor. Lunch, gear, and Victoria Falls town transfers are included.

“Exhausting you have to be very fit to participate in the climb to and from river. loved the experience”

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4.Whitewater Rafting Adventure on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $140

Start at 7:30 am for a full day on the Zambezi below Victoria Falls. You will paddle through Class III to V rapids, float through calm pools, and stop for lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Guides such as Elvis and Kate may be part of the team. Expect a serious gorge climb, so wear proper sports shoes.

“What an awesome adventure, the rapids were exhilarating and exciting. The guides were all great and knowledgeable. The only advise I would give is wear sports shoes as advised as the climb down to and out the gorge is extreme. We would certainly do this adventure again”

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5.5 Days & 4 Nights Whitewater Rafting Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 18 reviews · from $1,805

You spend five days rafting 120 kilometers of Zimbabwe’s Zambezi River with Shockwave Adventures. Expect class four and five rapids, portages around the toughest falls, beach camping, wildlife, and fresh meals from the river kitchen. Guides such as OG, Silent, Tabs, Wellington, and JB have been praised for calm leadership and good humor. Pickup, equipment, meals, and return transport are included.

“The company took care of everything, they made it safe and fun. We had a raft that was good for everyone from those who wanted to "GO BIG" to those who wanted a smoother ride. The guides were knowledgeable, hard-working, and fun!”

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6.Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi River from Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 12 reviews · from $139

Join Shearwater Adventures for a full day on the Zambezi, starting near Victoria Falls and racing through up to 19 Grade 4 and 5 rapids. Guides such as Gideon lead eight-person rafts through the Batoka Gorge. You get safety gear, transport, lunch, drinks, and a slideshow, but bring fitness for the gorge climb.

“Rafting on the Zambezi River was absolutely incredible. The guides are extremely knowledgeable and funny, and they make sure you have the time of your life. Totally worth every dollar spent!”

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7.Zambezi Whitewater Rafting & Open Bar Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $210

Start with a 7:30 a.m. hotel pickup, safety practice, and a steep hike to the Zambezi put-in. Choose a guide-controlled or passenger-controlled raft for Class IV to V rapids, then enjoy barbecue lunch before a second pickup for an open-bar sunset cruise. Guides including JB, Silent, Tambu, Tabs, and BJ may lead the day.

“We had such an amazing time!! The entire day was run like clock work. We had to contact them from our hotel reception as when I booked it our hotel wasn’t available for collection. However changing this wasn’t a problem. The bus arrived on Read more”

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8.Zambezi River White Water Rafting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 7 hours · from $160

You’ll be collected from your Victoria Falls hotel, fitted with rafting gear, and guided through four hours of Zambezi whitewater in Batoka Gorge. Your guide chooses an oar or paddle raft to suit the group. Expect fierce rapids, steep walks, safety practice, a BBQ, and cold drinks at the finish. English guidance and hotel transfers are included.

“I liked everything. Early morning unexpected change flexibly accommodated. Very well organised. Great team of guides, canoe rescuers, equipment carers, cooks, drivers. Gorge was stunning. White water exhilarating, challenging but totally rewarding. Expertly guided through fun safely. Guidance and care was provided for steep walks in & out.”

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9.3 Days & 2 Nights Whitewater Rafting Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $1,082

Spend three days on the Zambezi with Shockwave Adventures, rafting roughly 30 kilometers a day through class 4 and 5 rapids, camping on sandy river beaches, and portaging around class 6 Moemba Falls. Guides including MD, Philani, JB, Troy, Warren, and OG have led this demanding trip. Meals, drinks, and hotel transfers are included.

“Unbelievable experience! MD, JB, Troy, Warren, and the rest of the team did an unbelievable job taking us out on the Zambezi for a 3 day 2 night adventure. We also used Shockwave to plan our Devils pool trip, Bungee jumping on the VictoRead more”

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10.Whitewater Rafting 2 Full Days & 1 Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $650

This two-day Zambezi trip carries you 19 miles downstream from Victoria Falls through class 3 to 5 rapids, with a portage around class 6 Moemba Falls. Professional guides, meals, camping gear, drinks, and hotel transfers are included. You camp on a sandy river beach, then walk out of the canyon on day two.

“We had a 2½ days trip, we camped for two nights along the Zambezi sand beaches..it was the most beautiful and fun experience of my life...I would do it over and over again..The meals were very good...Who ever knew Rafting could be this safe and fun.....thank you Shockwave for such a phenomenal experience..”

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11.Whitewater Rafting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · 7 hours · from $161

You raft the Zambezi from the Boiling Pot below Victoria Falls through 19 rapids, including The Overland Truck-Eater, Gnashing Jaws of Death, and Oblivion. An English-speaking, first-aid-trained guide commands each eight-person raft. Allow seven hours, a steep hike out, wet clothing, and an extra US$12 national park fee.

“The Rafting was perfect, but the problem is that after you got picked up from hotel it takes almost two hours to get to the boat. And most of the time we were just waiting.”

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12.Two Days/One Night Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $300

Join Maano Adventures for a two-day Zambezi River trip from Livingstone, with rafting, camping, fishing, village life, and wildlife watching. Guides including Enock, Captain James, Clement, T-boy, and Abraham, also called Anna, have led demanding river trips. Transport, safety gear, tents, sleeping bags, meals, snacks, and alcoholic drinks are included. Moderate fitness is required.

“Me and my gf did a multiple nights camping trip of the Zambezi rapids and the more adventurous lower Zambezi with Maano.”

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13.Whitewater Rafting + Chobe Safari Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $298

Spend two packed days rafting Class 3 to 5 rapids on the Zambezi and exploring Botswana’s Chobe National Park by game drive and boat. Transfers, bottled water, rafting barbecue lunch, Chobe buffet lunch, and post-rafting drinks are included. The group is limited to 15, but you need moderate fitness and a Botswana visa or eligible KAZA Visa.

“A breathtaking experience... Scary at first but exciting and fantastic as l paddled from one rapid to another. The team was super friendly and professional. The only obstacle l experienced was climbing the gorge which was very uneasy and tiresRead more”

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14.Zambezi River: Kid-Friendly Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $140

Spend six hours rafting 16 to 23 km of the Zambezi in a stern mount raft guided by an English-speaking river expert. Kids can hold special safety straps, paddle small rapids, or simply enjoy the ride. The day includes snacks, hotel transfers, and a barbecue lunch above Batoka Gorge.

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