The 15 Best Zambezi Whitewater Rafting 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 rafting 14 miles through the Zambezi Gorge. Guides such as JB, Terrence, Lawrence, and OG lead rafts through serious rapids, with support kayakers nearby. Finish with a barbecue, open bar, and a hard-earned climb out.

“Experience was wonderful! Just maybe organized should be bit better. Before experience, I have been taken to agency office at least 1 hour earlier before others arrived. Don't know why.”

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2.Half Day Zambezi Whitewater Rafting

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

Join Maano Adventures for a half-day Zambezi rafting run through Batoka Gorge. Guides such as James lead crews through demanding Class 3 to 5 rapids, with hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, photos, and video included. Expect real exertion, cold water, and a steep climb out.

“The trip was canceled and money not refunded. They couldn’t accommodate my time slot booked. We tried to change it but couldn’t find one that worked. Multiple requests for a refund (that should have been automatic) were made but ignored.”

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3.White Water Rafting in Zimbabwe

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

Take a seven-hour Wild Horizons rafting trip below Victoria Falls, tackling seasonal rapids on the Zambezi with trained guides, river gear, transport, and lunch. The steep 750-foot gorge climb makes this a serious physical challenge, not a casual float.

“Had the best time rafting!! James was so funny and kept us well informed so we knew what to do and when. Highly recommend! The walk out of the gorge is very tough so appropriate footwear!! The guides are so lovely, they stay with thRead more”

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4.Full Day White Water Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 42 reviews · 8 hours · from $1,000

Spend eight hours on the Zambezi with Maano Adventures, tackling up to 25 Class IV and V rapids through Batoka Gorge. Expect a safety briefing, gorge hike, lunch, photos, and guides such as James or Enock, subject to availability. Pickup is available from Victoria Falls, Livingstone, or Kasane.

“James was an incredible guide. You could tell that he has been running this river for over 10 years and got us through the rapids like a true pro. My son was super nervous about the class five rapids and read online that many of the boats flip. James and his crew reassured him that they wouldn’t take any risks and would get us back in one piece. They delivered. The scenery is stunning. Would have loved a bit more safety information before we set out and the hike is definitely tough after several hours of rafting but overall - great trip!!”

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

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

Take on the Zambezi below Victoria Falls in a challenging eight-hour rafting day. You will tackle class III to V rapids, rest in calm pools, and see the Batoka Gorge. Elvis and Kate are among the team members associated with the operation. Lunch, snacks, and bottled water are included.

“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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6.5 Days & 4 Nights Whitewater Rafting Victoria Falls

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

Raft 26 kilometers of the Zambezi’s fiercest water on day one, then continue through rapids, wildlife country, and white-sand beach camps. Guides such as OG, Tap, Liberty, Silent, Wellington, and JB have led past trips. Expect warm water, homemade meals, portages, and nights beneath the stars.

“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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7.Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi River from Victoria Falls

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

Start beneath Victoria Falls at Boiling Point, then paddle 15 to 23 km through the Batoka Gorge in an eight-person raft. Qualified guides, including Gideon, handle the river while you face Level 4 and 5 rapids, a steep gorge climb, lunch, drinks, and a photo slideshow.

“Absolutely brilliant trip with Gideon and the team. We were well looked after and it is value for money! Be aware that the gorge climb is pretty steep but such an amazing time going through the rapids. Well worth it!”

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8.Zambezi Whitewater Rafting & Open Bar Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $210

Start with a 7:30 am pickup in Victoria Falls, then raft the Zambezi through Class IV to V rapids after a safety session and steep hike. Choose a guide-controlled or passenger-controlled raft, enjoy barbecue lunch and drinks, rest at your hotel, then return for a sunset cruise with local beers.

“Wow! Whitewater rafting truly lives up to the hype!!!”

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9.Zambezi River White Water Rafting Experience

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

Set out from Victoria Falls for four hours of guided Zambezi rafting through Batoka Gorge. You’ll practice safety skills, tackle rapids such as Gnashing Jaws of Death, then climb out for a BBQ, cold drinks, and hotel drop-off.

“fabuleux ! la team est hyper sympa, jeune, dynamique , drole et tres competente ! on a passé un super moment en leur compagnie ! un repas simple mais tres bon est servi pour se remettre de ses emotions. attention: la montee et la descente pour se rendre a la riviere est assez difficile , a deco seiller si vous n avez pas l habitude de marcher / randonner / ou de faire du sport ! il faut etre en bonne condition physique”

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10.Full-Day White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 5 reviews · 5 - 7 hours · from $140

From Kasane, Maano Adventures takes you through the Zambezi’s 25-rapid Batoka Gorge section. Expect Class IV and V white water, towering canyon walls, expert English-speaking guides such as Andrew and Alex, lunch, photos, and a possible border fee.

“This was one for the books! We had an exhilarating first time rafting experience and couldn’t have wished for a better crew. Alex, Andrew and team were so professional throughout the whole trip and made sure that we feel safe and comfortable all the time. They explained well what we could expect from each upcoming rapid. The scenery was amazing. Last but not least, pickup from and return to Kasane with a stop at the borders each way went smoothly. Payment terminals for weren’t working at the borders for visas so make sure to bring dollars or euros, or else you can withdraw cash from the ATM there if you…”

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11.3 Days & 2 Nights Whitewater Rafting Victoria Falls

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

Take on 30 kilometers of the Zambezi each day with guides including MD, JB, Troy, and Warren. Expect Class 4 and 5 rapids, a portage around Class 6 Moemba Falls, beach camps, meals, drinks, and a long canyon walk.

“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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12.Whitewater Rafting 2 Full Days & 1 Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $650

Spend two days rafting 19 miles of the Zambezi below Victoria Falls, with class 3 to 5 rapids, a portage around class 6 Moemba Falls, and a night in a rustic beach camp. Philani, Silent, and the Shockwave team handle guiding, meals, camping, and transfers.

“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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13.Whitewater Rafting Experience

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

Join an English-speaking river guide for a seven-hour Zambezi rafting trip from the boiling pot below Victoria Falls through 19 rapids, including Overland Truck-Eater, Gnashing Jaws of Death, and Oblivion. Transfers from Victoria Falls Town, lunch, beer, and soft drinks are included.

“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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14.Two Days/One Night Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $300

You’ll raft the Zambezi from a 9:00 am pickup in Livingstone, trek into the gorge, camp beside the river, fish, and visit a local village. Maano Adventures supplies guides, safety gear, tents, sleeping bags, meals, snacks, drinks, and transport. Captain James, Clement, T-boy, and Abraham have led past trips.

“Enocklabisi the owner of Maano and his team were exceptional. My daughter and I went on the overnight trip on August 22, 2022. Generally I have found Zambia very expensive, but after seeing the number of people employed and the skill levRead more”

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15.Whitewater Rafting + Chobe Safari Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $298

Spend two full days pairing Zambezi whitewater rafting with a Chobe National Park game drive and boat safari. Expect early starts, shared transfers, a barbecue lunch at Batoka Gorge, a Chobe buffet, and a physically demanding gorge climb. Marvel handles quick, clear booking communication.

“I did my rafting with Shockwave Adventure.This was first time and l was scared and nervous about the whole thing. The guides where however helpful and assured me of my safety helping with the life jackets and telling us what to expect on Read more”

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