Zambia - Event

Batoka Gorge has been cut over thousands of years by the Victoria Falls. Considered one of the best stretches of commercially-run river in the world, the rapids can be run in large rubber rafts, launched from just below the Falls.

The Zambezi funnels its way through in a narrow channel after tumbling over the wide arc of the falls. There are 23 sets of rapids to negotiate, ranging from class 3 to class 5, and from the minute your raft launches you are on a breathtaking aquatic roller coaster.

There are several outfits that operate down the Zambian side of the river. Each of them employs qualified guides to take you through the basics before you set out and to look after you on the river. Trips range from a half-day jaunt to a journey of several days. Most operators also give you lunch and a beer or two to prime you for the thrills. The best time of year for rafting is from June to February, when all of the rapids are negotiable - at other times the river is too high and it is only possible to take on the last 13.