The
most challenging white water rafting in the world
BATOKA
RAPIDS
The
Zambezi River in Africa is classified as a high volume, pool-drop river
i.e. there is little exposed rock either in the rapids or the pools
below the rapids. The distances between rapids vary from 100 meters
to 2 kms. The Gorge itself is approximately 400ft deep at the launch
site and 750ft at the take-out point. The river drops about 400 ft over
the 24 km covered in the one day raft trip and the depth of the river
can reach 200ft.
The British Canoe
Union has the river classified as Grade 5 - "extremely
difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure
areas".
Nearly half of the rapids negotiated are Grade 5. (Grade 6 is unrunnable
- rapid Number 9, "Commercial suicide" is a grade 6 rapid
and we porter around this rapid).
Due to the steepness of the Gorge, wildlife is not abundant. On occasion
Klipspringer, Rock Hyrax, Vervet monkeys and Baboon are spotted. The
birdlife is spectacular however. Black Eagle, Augur Buzzard, Black Stork,
Pied and Giant Kingfisher, and Red Winged Starling are some of the birds
normally seen during the trips. Sightings of the very rare Taita Falcon
are not uncommon. There are crocodile in the river, but they are small
due to the unsuitability of the area for their habitation.
The one-day low water trip
is considered to be the best one-day white
water experience available in the world.
The "low water" run occurs when the Zambezi River is at its
low level generally between July and mid-February. This is the most
exciting time to do rafting. Day trips are conducted between rapids
1 and 18. The "high water" run follows after fresh inflow
from the catchment areas in Angola and Zambia. The water rises and flows
more rapidly and the day trips move downstream from rapids 11 to 23.
WHY
CHOLWE ADVENTURES IS ONE OF THE BEST ?
-
Experienced
and qualified rafting guides
-
Safety Kayakers on all trips (compete in 1998 World
-
Championships on
the Zambezi and 2003 in Spain
-
Cameraman in safety Kayak for DVD's and still photos
-
Advanced safety standards
-
Free transfers to and from Livingstone and Victoria Falls
-
Personalized groups
-
Equipment conforms to highest standard
-
Start at rapid one - Water levels permitting
-
Cold beers and soft drinks.
Rafting the Mighty Zambezi
