5 NIGHT ZAMBEZI EXPERIENCE
Zambezi River Rafting Multi-Day Combo Trips – The Best White Water Rafting in the World.
Zambezi River Rafting Multi-Day Combo Trips – The Best White Water Rafting in the World.
Safpar are the only rafting operator that offers free media of your Zambezi white water rafting trip. Professionally filmed with top of the range camera equipment, we make sure we capture this trip of a lifetime. Experienced videographers kayak ahead of the rafts and film/photograph each raft as it enters and proceeds through the rapids. The video includes professional narration about the rapids, super slow motion for those dramatic flips, fully licensed music and personalised interviews with you and your fellow rafters. Whats more, you can watch the video at the end of your trip in the Waterfront bar with a cold drink in hand!
All video and photos will be uploaded to the cloud where you will be given a personalised download link and no extra cost to you.
Please enquire – zaminfo@safpar.com
First night’s accommodation at the magnificent 4.5* David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa. Day one includes a jetboat ride up river to the magnificent 5* dining experience that is the Elephant Cafe. This experience includes game viewing, elephant interaction with our very own elephants and an incredible 5* dining experience.
The 3 night white water rafting expedition begins with exploring the basalt cliffs and pools under the Victoria Falls. We then raft from rapid #1 through to the stunning camp site below rapid #10. This 9km of whitewater is some of the most intense on the planet, grade 5 rapids include The Stairway to Heaven and Gulliver’s Travels.
The second day rafting is a little more relaxed but watch out for The Mother and Oblivion and we raft all the way through to rapid #26.
The third full day on the River is a highlight for whitewater enthusiasts, from Rapid # 26 the Batoka gorge continuously changes its character and the gorge opens out at one point to rolling hills before closing up again as we approach the scenic Moemba Falls. Highlights include a forbidding Grade 5 rapid known as Open Season, Chimamba and the Grade 5 Upper Moemba Falls. We camp the third night between Upper Moemba Falls and the stunning Lower Moemba Falls. This beautiful campsite allows us to explore both the Falls and the wilderness.
After your final night of camping you take a helicopter ride out of the Gorge, get an amazing birds eye view of Victoria Falls (locally named the Flight of the Angels!) and look forward to the rest of the day at leisure at our accommodation for the night, The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa.
Back at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge for your final night your stay includes a free 1.5 hour massage and a 2 hour sunset cruise on the fabulous Lady Livingstone.
Please check with your nearest Zambian Embassy or Consulate whether you are eligible to pay for a multiple-entry visa on arrival.
Welcome to Livingstone! You will be met on arrival and transferred to our first accommodation stop – the 4,5* David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa – this is a beautifully appointed thatched lodge oozing with charm set on the banks of the mighty Zambezi, named after the intrepid traveller, David Livingstone. The lodge is 3km upriver from the Victoria Falls and is located within a National Park – watch out for the resident monkeys and a semi-resident wild hippo in the pond by the bar! Stay in a Standard Room with dinner and breakfast included and unlimited WI-FI. Beverages here will be for your own account.
Later in the afternoon we will jump on a speedboat from The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa and whizz up the Zambezi River to The Elephant Cafe, passing hippos and crocodiles on the way and be met on arrival by a magnificent herd of rescue elephants. Experience an unforgettable close encounter with these gentle giants and sit on the beautiful wooden deck at The Elephant Café for some tea and tasty bites. This unique restaurant famously includes wild edibles in the food – it won the Best New Restaurant in Zambia for 2016. Tonight before dinner, we will meet our guides, receive our dry bags and discuss the next few days in detail. Rest well and look forward to what is the Mighty Zambezi.
Accommodation: The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
A good day for an adventure! After a relaxed breakfast, your dry bag is packed and your valuables are locked away before our safety briefing and equipment introduction starts. Then we are on our way! Walking down into the Batoka Gorge, our epic journey starts at the base of the Victoria Falls – we explore the basalt cliffs and pools underneath the Falls. This experience is guaranteed to be another highlight of the trip – visited by few people, the base of these magnificent Falls will undoubtedly one of the most dramatic spots you will encounter. After a light lunch, it is time for us to meet the Mighty Zambezi River. The 10 rapids we encounter for the day will be fun, but will be challenging! Our experienced crew are there to see you through some of the most intense white-water on the planet, you will be tested by Class 3-5 Rapids with names such as Morning Glory, Stairway to Heaven, The Devils Toilet Bowl and the Mighty Muncher before our only portage of the day around the Class 6 Rapid # 9 Commercial Suicide.
Tonight we arrive at our campsite on a beautiful white, sandy beach – after helping to build camp its time to relax, enjoy a hearty dinner and the spectacular view, celebrate an awesome day on the River and look up at the majestic African starlit sky. The Batoka Gorge is all ours tonight!
Accommodation: Zambezi Campsite at rapid #10 on a Full-Board basis. (local beer, wine and spirits included)
After we awake to the sound of the soaring Fish Eagle, we make you a delicious cooked breakfast, have plenty of coffee and pack up the camp leaving only footprints behind. The section of the Zambezi River encountered today is a little less challenging than Day 1. Or is it? Meet the Three Ugly Sisters closely followed by the Washing Machine, Terminator 1 and 2 and the world-famous Rapid # 18 Oblivion. After the days excitement, we reach our second night’s campsite at Rapid #26 – tonight your only decision will be whether to put up your tent or even fall asleep on the beach beneath the stars for yet another unforgettable evening in the Batoka Gorge.
Accommodation: Zambezi Campsite at rapid #26 on a Full-Board basis (local beer, wine and spirits included)
Let’s get ready for a final day of adventure to our last destination – the stunning Lower Moemba Falls. You will encounter some of the Zambezi’s best rapids today 16 in total including. Open Season, The Narrows, Chamamba Falls, and Upper Moemba. As the gorge opens up today we may get the chance to glimpse at some wildlife, such as crocodiles and klipspringers plus a vast array of birdlife. When we reach Moemba Falls, take time to explore this remote area and soak up the last night of the Zambezi camping experience.
Accommodation: Zambezi Campsite at Moemba Falls on a Full-Board basis. (local beer, wine and spirits included)
Goodbye Zambezi! This morning we leave the Batoka Gorge in true style. Jump aboard a helicopter for a 20 minute flight including the breath-taking ‘Flight of the Angels’ over Victoria Falls. We check back into the 4,5* David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa and take the rest of the day at leisure for some well-earned Rest & Relaxation! After 3 nights on the Zambezi, take advantage of a 1.5hr signature massage at the award-wining Spa & Wellness Centre on-site at the accommodation, using both a hot & cold compress with a traditional Zambian massage technique called ‘ukuchina’ for those aching muscles – well done, you made it! What an achievement!. We will then meet at 16h00 for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River – drinks and snacks are included on this two hour cruise, so put your feet up, look out for wildlife and most of all just relax. This evening we will have dinner at the on-site Kalai Restaurant and enjoy the sounds and sights of Africa!
Accommodation: The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa, Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
DAY 6: BYE & FLY
This morning, have your coffee overlooking the Zambezi and soak it all in. Our departure transfer leaves The David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa at approximately 11h00 in time for your flight from Livingstone Airport.
Camping is a treat for all outdoor enthusiasts. Our Zambezi River rafting overnight trips are not all about the river. We want our guests to enjoy the entire experience, including the camping within the Batoka Gorge. We like clients to get involved with building camp, helping to prepare food and collecting fire wood. All meals are freshly prepared, local beers and local spirits are included. Feel free to bring your own bottle of your favourite malt.
Zambezi River rafting overnight trips operate in the low water season, usually from August through to the new year. The rains usually arrive mid November and, although we are equipped to run Overnight Rafting trips in the wet season, be aware it could be very wet camping.
We will run overnight trips with a minimum of 4 people any day of the Low Water Season, however we try to facilitate smaller groups of one’s, two’s or three’s by running trips over the weekends, departing Saturday and returning Sunday.
Operate between August and New year
Day 1 – High Tea at the Elephant Cafe incl. jet boat & elephant interaction
1st night at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa (B&B)
Day 2 – 5 – White water rafting 3 nights: from rapid #1 through to Moemba Falls
Rafting Pick up time: 8am at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge
Camping in the Batoka Gorge each night. Drinks, meals and camping equipment included*
*Sleeping bags not included
Day 5 – Helicopter flight out of the gorge and over the Victoria Falls
1.5 hour massage at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
Sunset river cruise on the Lady Livingstone
Last night at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa (B&B)
Day 6 – Breakfast and morning coffee before departure.
Minimum Number: 4 pax
Maximum Number 16 pax
Minimum Age: 15 years
Included in the rate
Not included in the rate
We Participate in Pack For A Purpose!
Small Space, Little Effort, Big Impact! Help Pack for a Purpose make a difference around the world by using available space in your luggage to provide supplies to the communities you visit. For more information on Packing for a Purpose in Livingstone, please visit packforapurpose.org
Optional Extras
Optional excursions and activities from Livingstone (ask a Safpar representative for more details or book more using our activities page)
Insurance
All clients are covered by Special Emergency Services (a private paramedic service based in Livingstone) through Safari Par Excellence; however, this only covers them for emergency evacuation. It does not cover hospitalization and medication. Travel and medical insurance is compulsory for all clients at your own expense / arrangement.
Arrival Options to Livingstone Airport, Zambia (IATA code LVI)
With cheap connecting flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, it is a quick and easy transit to Livingstone. Airport code LVI.
Visas – Zambia
The majority of Passport Holders are eligible to get a visa on arrival in Zambia. Please check with your nearest Zambia Consulate or Embassy.
Electrical Plug Outlet / Voltage
All electrical appliances in Zambia run on 220V. The primary socket types are Euro, British or South African. Although multi-adaptors are generally available at hotels, we recommend bringing your own.
Currency & ATM’s
Zambia’s unit of currency is the Kwacha, denoted by the symbol ZMK and is required for things such as shopping in the local supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants (credit cards are also widely accepted). Bureaux de Change and ATM machines are available at Livingstone Airport and in Livingstone Town – Visa / MasterCard are readily available. The South African Rand and the United States Dollar are widely accepted as payment in hotels and by curio market vendors.
Vaccinations & Malaria
There is no formal requirement for any vaccination for entry into Zambia, however, please consult with your physician for recommendations regarding inoculations/immunizations if coming from a yellow-fever zone. This area has been declared a malaria-free zone but we highly recommend that you take precautions against malaria, particularly in the summer months. We also encourage visitors to use insect repellent liberally and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites.
National Heritage Park fees are applicable for rafting trips that start at rapid #1. This includes all multi-day rafting trips – This $10 fee is to be paid at the Waterfront prior to your activity. Cash or debit/credit cards accepted (Visa and Mastercard only).
Operate between August and New year
Day 1 – High Tea at the Elephant Cafe incl. jet boat & elephant interaction
1st night at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa (B&B)
Day 2 – 5 – White water rafting 3 nights: from rapid #1 through to Moemba Falls
Rafting Pick up time: 8am at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge
Camping in the Batoka Gorge each night. Drinks, meals and camping equipment included*
*Sleeping bags not included
Day 5 – Helicopter flight out of the gorge and over the Victoria Falls
1.5 hour massage at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa
Sunset river cruise on the Lady Livingstone
Last night at the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa (B&B)
Day 6 – Breakfast and morning coffee before departure.
Minimum Number: 4 pax
Maximum Number 16 pax
Minimum Age: 15 years