Zambezi Whitewater Rafting: The 15 Best Runs

1.Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 243 reviews · from $140Our pick

Start with hotel pickup and a safety briefing, then raft 14 miles through the Zambezi Gorge under guides such as JB, Terence, Steve, or Lawrence. Choose an oar, stern-mount, or paddle raft based on ability and water levels. Expect steep gorge hikes, powerful rapids, river swims, a barbecue lunch, and an open bar.

“The whitewater rafting was great. JB and his crew were amazing (special shoutout to Liberty)… very safe, friendly and informative. Also incredibly patient. The climb down the gorge to put in and back up at the end is no joke. It’s a lot of climbing over rocks, steps made of branches and loose gravel. I’m in good shape and I do some hiking, but I found this very challenging, especially in water shoes. But the team was very encouraging and helpful and didn’t rush us, literally holding my hand through portions. The barbecue chicken and beer at the end of the climb were a nice payoff.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Half Day Zambezi Whitewater Rafting

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

You’ll paddle through the Zambezi’s Batoka Gorge with guides such as James and his crew, tackling rapids from Stairway to Heaven to the Washing Machine. Hotel pickup, lunch, drinks, photos, and videos are included. Expect strenuous paddling, cold water, and a demanding climb out of the gorge.

“Manno and his team are wonderful! The trip started off with us getting picked up and shuttled to Zambia from Zimbabwe (MAKE SURE TO BRING $30 CASH PER PERSON FOR THE VISA FEE IF YOU TRAVEL THE BOARDER - learn from our mistakRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.White Water Rafting in Zimbabwe

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

Join Wild Horizons for a seven-hour Zambezi rafting trip below Victoria Falls. You tackle grade V rapids with guides such as James or Colgate, eat lunch above the gorge, and climb roughly 750 feet back out. Transport, equipment, and lunch are included, but a $10 river fee is extra.

“Great experience. As water high unable to do the first 10 rapids or so. Be prepared to walk down from the plain the the river and back out again at the end of the rafting experience. Happy guides and good equipment. Water warm so no wetsuits needed. Very good day!”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Full Day White Water Rafting Tour

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

Maano Adventures takes you through roughly 23 km of the Zambezi, with up to 25 Class IV and V rapids, including Stairway to Heaven and The Washing Machine. Guides such as James and Enock lead the rafting, safety briefing, gorge hike, and river games. Transfers, lunch, drinks, and photos are included.

“Me and my friend did the full day rafting activity with Maano team and was great. We got picked up at our place, drove to the falls park entrance , got the guidance about the practicalities/safety and started to go down to the water. We got ready and embarked on a super cool adventure down the beautiful Zambezi river … exciting day, with many rapids that keep you busy and wet haha our draft flipped 2 times (which was fun) but we got helped and got out of the water quickly and safely. Lunch was nice with a lovely view, team knows what they are doing and they keep it…”

Check availability →Read our full review

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

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

Start at 7:30 am for a full day on the Zambezi below Victoria Falls. You’ll tackle class III to V rapids with calm pools between runs, then enjoy lunch, snacks, and bottled water. Guides including Elvis and Kate have earned warm praise, but the steep gorge climb means you need moderate fitness and proper sports shoes.

“Elvis is the guy who made it fun for us... actually all the stuff were great. We really enjoyed and they were very professional...”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.5 Days & 4 Nights Whitewater Rafting Victoria Falls

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

Join Shockwave Adventures for five days on Zimbabwe’s Zambezi, running class four and five rapids, portaging class six sections, and camping on white-sand beaches. Guides such as OG, Silent, Wellington, and Liberty lead the river days, while cooks prepare meals at camp. Pickup, tents, drinks, and return transport are included.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Whitewater Rafting on the Zambezi River from Victoria Falls

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

Start at Victoria Falls, hike to Boiling Point, and paddle through up to 19 Level 4 and 5 rapids in an eight-person raft. Shearwater’s qualified guides, including Gideon and his team, handle safety and river technique. Expect a demanding day, cold drinks, a barbecue lunch, and a steep climb from the Batoka Gorge.

“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!”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Zambezi Whitewater Rafting & Open Bar Sunset Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · from $210

Start at 7:30 am with a safety briefing, steep hike, and guided or paddle rafting on the Zambezi’s Class IV to V rapids. After a barbecue lunch, hotel rest, and a second pickup, finish with a sunset cruise and local beers. Guides may include JB, Silent, Tambu, Tabs, and BJ.

“We had such an amazing time!! The entire day was run like clock work. We had to contact them from our hotel reception as when I booked it our hotel wasn’t available for collection. However changing this wasn’t a problem. The bus arrived on Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Zambezi River White Water Rafting Experience

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

Raft the Zambezi below Victoria Falls with Shockwave Adventures, tackling rapids such as Overland Truck-eater and Gnashing Jaws of Death. Your English-speaking guide chooses an oar or paddle raft to suit the group. The seven-hour day includes hotel transport, safety gear, breakfast, riverside refreshments, a BBQ, and cold drinks, but requires a steep canyon hike.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Full-Day White Water Rafting

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

Join Maano Adventures for a full-day Zambezi rafting trip through Batoka Gorge. Guides including Andrew and Alex lead you through 25 Class IV and V rapids, with lunch, drinks, photos, and transfers included. From Kasane, allow for border crossings, a possible $40 transfer fee, and visa costs.

“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…”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.3 Days & 2 Nights Whitewater Rafting Victoria Falls

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

Take a three-day, two-night Zambezi rafting trip from Victoria Falls with a small group of up to 15 people. Expect Class 4 and 5 rapids, a portage around Class 6 Moemba Falls, beach camps, meals, drinks, and guides including MD, JB, Troy, and Warren. Hotel transfers are included.

“Such an amazing experience that won't be soon forgotten. We used this company and its rafting team first for a multiday trip whitewater rafting down the Zambezi and couldn't give higher praise for the team. Philani aka MD was our guardian thRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

12.Whitewater Rafting 2 Full Days & 1 Night

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $650

You’ll raft 30 kilometers of the Zambezi below Victoria Falls with Shockwave Adventures, working through class 3 to 5 rapids with professional guides. After a homemade dinner and a night in a rustic beach camp, you continue downstream, portage around class 6 Moemba Falls, then walk from the dam to the canyon rim for drinks and a two-hour drive back.

“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..”

Check availability →Read our full review

13.Whitewater Rafting Experience

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

Join an English-speaking river guide in an eight-person raft for a full day on the Zambezi, starting below Victoria Falls and running rapids 1 through 19. Expect cold water, serious whitewater, a steep hike out, lunch, and a beer at the gorge rim. Pickup is provided in Victoria Falls Town.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

14.Two Days/One Night Rafting Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $300

Join Maano Adventures for a two-day Zambezi rafting trip with camping, fishing, village life, meals, drinks, transport, and safety gear included. Guides including Captain James, Clement, T-boy, and Abraham, also called Anna, lead the river section. Pickup is available from Livingstone, but confirm the exact meeting point and border arrangements before booking.

“This was one of the greatest adventures of my lifetime. Enoch and his team were so accommodating of our plans and the hospitality was top notch. The rafting team of Captain James, Clement, T-boy and Abraham (aka Anna) were amazingRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

15.Whitewater Rafting + Chobe Safari Combo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $298

Spend two days combining Zambezi whitewater rafting with a Chobe National Park game drive and boat safari. Expect Class 3 to 5 rapids, a barbecue lunch above Batoka Gorge, and a buffet lunch overlooking the Chobe River. Marvel handles trip communication, while rafting is operated with Shockwave Adventure.

“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”

Check availability →Read our full review