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White water rafting: Comprehensive guidelines on whitewater rafting in the Victoria Falls' Batoka Gorge. Includes details on all of the rafting options from the one day trips to multi-day expeditions plus descriptions of the individual rapids and the Zambezi Report for an update on current river conditions.
The minimum age group is 15. Note the seasonality as well as that the climb out of the gorge, is a short but steep climb.
.: Pioneered by SafPar with Jon Imhoof in 1996, the sport involves "surfing" the rapids on body boards accompanied by a qualified River Guide.
- Kayaking: Half and full day tandem trips through the Batoka Gorge in Topolino Duo Kayaks
- Bungee Jumps: Until recently, the highest commercial bungee jump in the world - 111 metres worth of pure adrenaline from the Victoria Falls bridge
- Abseiling: Batoka Gorge action above rapid#7 also includes the "Gorge Swing" and the "Flying Fox"
- Jet Boating: Feel the chase from rapid #21 in the Batoka Gorge in a 6m jet-propelled boat with an 8.2 litre Chevy engine
- Helicopter Flips: Short flips over the Falls or down the Batoka Gorge
- Micro Light Flights: An open cockpit offers a unique way to do game viewing upstream of Victoria Falls over Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park or alternatively obtain an aerial perspective of the rapids through the Batoka Gorge
- Aerial options: Other options include the "Flight of the Angels" in a Cessna and a perspective of Victoria Falls in a tethered balloon.
- Elephant Back Trails: Morning or afternoon interactions and rides with elephants.
- Horse Trails: A selection of short horse trails for novice riders plus multi-day safaris for experienced riders
- Upper Zambezi Canoeing: A selection of short canoe trails and multi-day canoe safaris upstream of Victoria Falls
- Zambezi River Cruises: Breakfast, lunchtime and sunset cruises on the upper Zambezi from the Zambezi Waterfront
- Fishing Trips: Fishing trips on the upper Zambezi and in the Batoka Gorge
- Game Drives: Short guided game drives into Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
- Victoria Falls Safari Express: Short steam train excursions from Livingstone Station
- Livingstone Tour: Guided tours to the Museums and markets of Livingstone
- Cultural Village Tour: An extended tour of Livingstone that includes Chief Makuni's village
- Victoria Falls Tour: Guided tours of the Rain Forest on the Zimbabwean bank and the Knife Edge on the Zambian shoreline
- Chobe Day Trips: A day-long game drive and river cruise on the Chobe river front from the Zambezi Waterfront
WHITE-WATER RAFTING
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 WHITE-WATER RAFTING
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Considered one of the best stretches of commercially run river in the world, Batoka Gorge provides one of the most intense sensory thrills imaginable. Its twenty three whitewater rapids and striking scenery deep within the sheer black cliffs afford the adrenaline junkie a wild roller coaster ride along a route carved over millenia by the Great Zambezi.
***Very important for you to know that there is a steep climb into and out of the Gorge as part of the pre and post trip itself.***
The rapids are run in large rubber rafts, launched from just below the Falls. You can do a half day trip, full day or two day.
When the river is high, March - July, only the last 13 rapids can be done. As the water subsides, from June to February, all 23 are navigable.
If you are keen for the ultimate thrill then a multi-day trip along the Zambezi is it! After a full day of rafting, you'll set up camp in the Batoka Gorge and listen as the wildlife, gaze into the campfire and a down a few cold drinks before you settle in for the night. Rise to a big breakfast, and the crazy adventure starts again! Perfect for a group (4+ persons) travelling together.
Overnight camps are on sandy beaches on the river's edge deep in the gorge
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| RIVERBOARDING
Armed with a body board a wetsuit, a life jacket, a helmet and fins, you will embark on a river journey playing in the currents, charging the rapids and surfing some of the world’s biggest fresh water standing waves.
The main difference between river surfing and rafting is that you are in charge of your own vessel on the river. Instructors teach and and guide you, but in the end its you who’s taking on the rapids. The attraction to many is the physical freedom and the sense of achievement felt after tackling the Zambezi on your own.
 The general rule is anyone over 13 years but they must fit into the equipment adequately. For all the clients it depends on their fitness, water confidence and experience. Anyone who has basic swimming skills, reasonable fitness and most importantly is confident and relaxed in water. Girls love it too! No previous body boarding experience is necessary.
Starting at your arranged pick up, you will be transferred to a rendezvous in Zambia, there you will enjoy healthy snacks, while the guides introduce you to the concept of river surfing and run you through the days programme.
Before venturing to the gorge, the guides will fit your river equipment ensuring maximum comfort and performance.
Then its down to the river for a ten minute safety and river talk, followed by your first plunge into the water where we practice the basic manoeuvres and positions required to river surf.
Once everybody is happy with the equipment, and their new found environment, its out into the main flow to start what many say is a seriously fun day ! The only way up into the Boiling pot below the Victoria Falls, is to swim – the day begins by exploring this amazing environment.
ZAMBEZI RAPIDS This is what this River is really known for and what makes river surfing here such a blast, literally ! Charging into rapids with water crashing around you and punching out the other side to find yourself surfing will undoubtedly be one of your best ever adrenaline rushes.You have the opportunity to take it easy in grade one to four, or if you’re up to it, go hard in Grade Five Zambezi white water !
WAVE SURFING The Zambezi has many sensational standing waves which provide everyone with fantastic surfing. Surfing on a river wave is unique, and a highlight for everyone.
PLAYING The great thing about riversurfing is being able to play in the dynamic currents that rafts can’t. A good example of this is Whirlie Riding – dropping into the zone where the main flow meets an opposite moving current, you drop your board into a vertical position, spinning inside the whirlpool.
SQUIRTS By placing your board under the boil currents, you can feel the power of the water as it takes you down. Through controlling your board angle, you can maintain your depth and cruise under water ! This is optional and for the more adventurous. It’s like flying under water !
SUNDOWNERS After an awesome day of river surfing, it’s time to climb the gorge to enjoy beers and softies at the top before transferring back to Victoria Falls or Livingstone.
The helicopter
 SafPar offers a 13 or 30 minute flip over Victoria Falls. The helicopter seating is designed so that all passengers have a good view on the Falls and the scenery below.
Flights operate all day and have a capacity for five passengers. Charter flights are also available.
An option is to include a helicopter flip with a white water rafting trip through the Batoka Gorge - it saves the walk from the bottom of the gorge at the end of the day!
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