White-Water Rafting on the Zambezi at Victoria Falls: Which Trip?
3 min read
Short answer: the half-day rafting trip from Livingstone is the most reviewed trip here: rapids 14 to 25 of the Batoka Gorge, Class 4 and 5, with a locally owned team, lunch, photos and video included. It takes no one under 12. The Grade 4-5 trip from Victoria Falls is the longer day, ending with a farm-to-table meal in a village, and its listing says it runs all year.
The two trips
| Trip | Price | Rating | What the listing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day white-water rafting, Livingstone | €124.68 | 4.8 (106) | Pickup in Livingstone, Victoria Falls or Kasane (USD 40 extra from Kasane); 2 to 3 hours on the river, rapids 14 to 25, including Stairway to Heaven, Morning Glory and Washing Machine; captain and safety kayaker; lunch at the top of the gorge, drinks with lunch extra; photos and video included; listed at 4 hours |
| Grade 4-5 white-water rafting | €155.85 | 4.9 (25) | “Open all year”; pickup in Victoria Falls at 7.30am, on the river from about 9.30am to 1.30pm, then a farm-to-table lunch at Mpala farm; national park fee of USD 12 in cash on the day; photos and video for purchase; listed at 6.5 hours |
Both trips start with a hike down into the Batoka Gorge and end with a hike back out. The first page puts the walk down at about 15 minutes; a reviewer of the second calls the walk down and up hard.
What the river means for your date
Which rapids you run depends on the level of the Zambezi. Shearwater, one of the rafting operators in Victoria Falls, describes it like this on its own site: at low water, between August and December, its trips start in the Boiling Pot below the falls and run rapids 1 to 19; between January and April, depending on rainfall, they normally start at rapid 11, about 10 km downstream, and continue to rapid 23. The dates shift with the rains each year. The second listing says it is open all year; for the first, ask the operator whether rapids 14 to 25 run on your date.
Who it is for
Both trips are described with Class 4 and 5 rapids, that is, serious white water, not a float. The half-day trip is not suitable for children under 12, pregnant women, people with heart problems or wheelchair users. The Victoria Falls trip is not suitable for people with mobility impairments; ask the operator about a minimum age before you bring a teenager. If you want the falls themselves rather than the gorge below, our guide to both sides is the place to start.
Our recommendation
For most visitors: the half-day trip from Livingstone. It has the most reviews, the rapids are named one by one, and lunch, photos and video are part of the listing. Take the other trip if you want a longer day that ends with a meal in a village. See more on our adventure page.
