The Zambezi River, which borders Zimbabwe and Zambia, is
widely acclaimed as offering the world’s best white-water rafting run in the
world. With a large number of it’s turbulent rapids which occur in the Batoka
Gorge (below the Victoria Falls) achieving a high ‘Grade-5’ status or higher, adventure
enthusiasts revere its reputation across the globe. Even the rapid names are
enough to get the adrenalin pumping - from “Stairway to Heaven”(Rapid no.5), to
“The Gnashing Jaws Of Death” (Rapid no.10), and “The Overland Truck Eater”
(Rapid no.11).
A ‘Grade-5’, or ‘Class 5’ rapid, as outlined by the
International Scale of River Difficulty, is the grade given to the most
dangerous and difficult rapids that are commercially passable by raft or kayak.
‘Grade 6’ rapids are not commercially passable, and only the most experienced
of rafters/kayakers attempt this scale of rapid at extremely high risk. An example
of a ‘Grade 6’ rapid on the Zambezi is the infamous Rapid no.9 – “Commercial
Suicide”.
Whilst the Wild Horizons one-day rafting trip is by far the
most popular with tourists and adventurers who usually have limited time in
Victoria Falls town - there is one relatively unknown, yet breathtakingly
beautiful product that is also on offer from Wild Horizons for the more
adventurous thrill seeker and explorer: Multi-day Rafting. Over the last thirty
years, adventurers the world over have been seeking the challenge and serenity
that this famous five-day long Zambezi white water rafting quest provides.
These days, adventure-seekers may choose between a two-night, two-day trip, or
for the more enduring, a four-night, five-day trip.
Multi-day rafting guests start off with the standard
one-day trip, which either starts at rapid no. 11 (during high water) or rapid
no. 1 during the low water season. It should be noted that multi-day rafting
trips only operate during low water rafting (usually around mid-September to
mid-December). Low
water rafting starts at “The Boiling Pot”, right below the magnificent Victoria
Falls. The view of the Falls from down here, just beneath it, is truly
unforgettable. You’ll know you won’t forget it when you feel the immense changes
in air pressure; and water vapour erratically bursting through the canyons; obscuring
your view of the 3,000 tons of water that fall out of the Zambezi River into
the boiling pot every second. The thundering roar is deafening, and it reverberates
loudly in the chest cavity! It is truly one of the most humbling, magnificent
and powerful spots on Earth.
The gorge is over 100 meters deep at the Falls, and slowly increases
to over 200 meters by the end of a full day rafting trip. The glistening basalt
rock walls form a series of sharp hairpin bends, which meander some 120km down
the course of the Zambezi River, thus bestowing a beautiful gift from Mother
Nature – the course for the world’s best white water rafting!
Rapids are interceded by calm stretches of crystal clear water, where
you can take a break from the adrenalin, relax and marvel at the spectacular gorges - thick with
vegetation. At the end of the first day of the 120km journey, multi-day rafters
bid farewell to the single-day companions that they have made on the river, and
set up camp for the night on the white sandy beach below rapid number 21.
Late afternoon at the beach-camp sees some casual beach volleyball,
cold beers, and the opportunity to throw out a line and catch some bonus bar
snacks before dinner. A significant drop in temperature is felt as the shadows
of the gorge encroach rapidly up the river and onto the beach as the sun sinks
behind the lips of the basalt cliffs high above. After nightfall, a beach
bonfire provides warmth and visual entertainment (affectionately known as “Bush
TV”) to guests as they settle into their first night of camping in the belly of
the beautiful Batoka Gorge. A dinner table is set under the luminous corridor
of stars above, and after a hearty stew or braai, guests are sure to get a good
night’s sleep in the tents and sleeping bags provided; snoring to the watery
lullaby of the rapids!
On day-two, the beautiful cycle of adventure, adrenalin, endurance,
and river exploration repeats itself once again. The first big rapid of the day
– “Morning Shave” (no.23),
is the perfect wakeup call! On center-left of the rapid, there is an easy wave train
to wet you down. “Closed Season” (rapid no. 25) is the last of the numbered
rapids, the rest are now referred to by name only. “Closed Season” is closely
followed by “Open Season” - one of the biggest rapids on the Zambezi, and pure Grade
Five fun! There is a large hole on the river-left and some rocks towards the
middle of the run.
From
here on in, the gradient of the river starts to level out, and rapids become
further interspersed. This is not to say though, that they get any tamer – as “Ghostrider”
- the biggest and best rapid on the Zambezi River, is still to come on Day 3! Towards
the end of day 2, guests will raft through the Narrows 1, 2, 3 & 4 – the
fourth comprising of a technical rock garden, featuring "Beer Eddy", whereby
as the name suggests, if your guide goes into the eddy, the first round of
post-trip drinks will be on him/her!
After
a second night of camping under the stars below the Moemba Falls, the start of
day three brings the infamous “Ghostrider”. Known only by the exclusive few that
have ventured this far; this is Class Five, big water at its best! Three
enormous waves, with drops that make rafts disappear; only to re-appear on top
of the next wave - this is the biggest, and best commercially runnable rapid
that the Mighty Zambezi has to offer. Wild Horizons ensures that only the most
seasoned of river guides lead guests through this one. Proper equipment,
extensive experience, and practiced rescue drills are essential. Still, for a
true adventure seeker, this rapid is
worth the journey!
Day-three,
and “Ghostrider” sees-out the last of the higher-grade rapids as the gradient
of the river continues to level out in anticipation of the Matetsi River mouth,
and the start of Lake Kariba’s Western basin.
Multiple
smaller rapids frequent the rest of the course for the last two days, providing
much-needed relief to those who have ventured thus far. All of a sudden one
finds themself immersed deep inside the heart of the Zambezi. Serene beauty in
a unique wilderness that is far, far away from the tourism-fuelled hustle and
bustle of Victoria Falls town. The sense of being so far down river, so far
removed from civilization, and so deeply swallowed by mother nature herself - is
something which simply has to be felt to be described. Sheer rock walls
arise hundreds of meters above the river and the roar of the rapids resound up
the narrow canyons. It is here where one may catch a glimpse of the highly
endangered Taita Falcon as its soars above you. Vertical walls give way to
wider valleys at times, and white sandy beaches dazzle in the sunshine. This is
the lower Batoka Gorge at it’s best!
On the morning of the fifth day, all that remains is a relatively
smooth two-hour paddle down to the mouth of the Matetsi, where the gorges that
have been strictly hugging the river start to give way to the beginnings of
Lake Kariba, yet another dimension of this magnificent river’s character. At
this point a truck awaits, and after packing up and loading all the rafts and
camping equipment, guests are transported the 180km journey back to Victoria
Falls town; stopping for lunch and refreshments on the Deka Bridge on the way
home.
A
multi-day rafting trip is one of the best ways to connect with the spirit of
the Zambezi, and truly experience a journey that is both self-challenging, and
spectacularly beautiful. Wild Horizons operates multi day rafting trips for
groups of 4 or more at a cost of USD$545 per person for the 2-day/2-night, and
USD$1,132 per person for the 5 day. Rafting the mighty Zambezi, even if just
the thrill of experiencing the one-day run - is an unforgettable experience and
should definitely be on your bucket list! Contact Wild Horizons for more
information (www.wildhorizons.co.za)
