Zambezi White Water Festival 2023.

THE ZAMBEZI’S HOTTEST EVENT IS BACK!

 

Zambezi White Water Festival 2023 – Are you ready?

Livingstone’s wildest event is back – get your teams together now for another epic weekend of fun, festivities and extreme Zambezi action. This competition is open to amateur teams. Individuals are welcome to enter and we will team you up with an epic crew!

 

What is a festival without festivities?

Festival-goers will enjoy two days of big water, timed events, great food and amazing live music performances with artists from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa in one of the world’s most unique settings. Be a part of a community of like-minded people for an unforgettable weekend! Teams of six skippered by an International Rafting Federation accredited guide will battle it out for the grand title and some rather grand prizes in a two-day event.

Considered one of the best stretches of commercially run river in the world, Batoka Gorge provides one of the most intense sensory thrills imaginable. Its white-water rapids and striking scenery deep within the sheer black cliffs afford the adrenaline junkie a wild roller-coaster ride along a route carved over millennia by the Great Zambezi.

 

The Zambezi Whitewater Festival 2022 is proudly brought to you by Safari Par Excellence – Zambezi’s Top Adventure Specialists since 1988.

Zambezi Whitewater Festival

The event takes place over two days and our accommodation packages include three nights accommodation and access to all the events around the river festival.

Registration Thursday 13th October

Registration opens from 13h00 @ The Victoria Falls Waterfront

PracticeFriday 14th October

Competition Day 1

RaceSaturday 15th October

Competition Day 2, prize giving and PARTY!

DepartSunday 16th October

Departure and/or recovery day

 

 

 

 

 

 

TIMINGS – THE ZAMBEZI WHITEWATER CHALLENGE 2023

TIMINGS AT A GLANCE

Thursday 13th of October – Welcome!

 13h0016h00      Registration will take place at The Waterfront reception. Please collect your registration packs and have a few (hundred) beers while you settle in! We have a fully stocked bar and restaurant should you need a meal or some refreshments.

Friday 14th of October – Rapids #1 to #13

07h45                        Meet at the auditorium for a bacon and egg roll, raft kit distribution and safety briefing.

08h15                        Zambezi-time!

15h30                        Back to The Waterfront for a cold beer, dinner and cruise

CRUISE LEAVES AT 16h30 – please don’t be that team that arrives late for the cruise departure – Pirate Rules apply, the boat will leave you. Dress this year is ‘Zambia Themed’ – we are sticking to our roots and honoring our local culture.

Saturday 15th of October – Rapids #13 to #21 (Adam’s Camp).

07h45                        Meet at the auditorium for a bacon and egg roll, raft kit distribution and safety briefing.

08h15                        Zambezi-time!

15h30                        Back to The Waterfront for a cold beer, dinner, judging of the Surf & Turf challenge and prize-giving.

POST FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS

Details to be confirmed closer to the event. This usually involves some good music (local talent), plenty of refreshments and good food on the banks of the Zambezi.

Sunday 16th of October – Pick-up Times for Prize-Winners

WE WILL ADVISE ON THE TIMES CLOSER TO THE EVENT.

Event 1

ZAMBEZI TEST OF THE BEST

Timed race from the Boiling Pot below Victoria Falls to the eddy below rapid #4 “Morning Glory”. Rafts set off at one minute intervals, times are converted into points.
Race water distance: 2300m


ZAMBEZI LE’ MANS SPRINT

Mass start from the pool below Rapid # 5 to the pool above rapid #7. One team member to touch attainment point on river bank at finish. There is a strong element of moving on the rocks here to reach attainment point. Team finishing positions and times accrue points.
Race water distance: 700m

Event 2


Event 3

ZAMBEZI SLALOM

One raft at a time down the course with attainment areas, start at Rapid #12 pool. Finish-jailhouse eddy Rapid #13. A timed race with time penalties for missing attainment targets, team positions and times accrue points.

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Race water distance: 900m with attainments excluded


ZAMBEZI SURF & TURF

Best surf in the iconic rapid #18. To be judged in the Waterfront Bar by the festival goers. Not scored in the overall event.
Separate prizes.

Event 4

PARTICIPANT FEE FOR 2023!

  • Participation Rate –  $1500 per team of 6
  • Participation Rate – $250 per person
  • EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT $1275/ $215 for first teams/ individuals to book and PAY. Must pay by 31 August 2023 to qualify. Send an email to zaminfo@safpar.com to enter and book your team in. (Please add your team name as your booking)
  • 2022 teams can also register for a VIP price of $1275. Must pay by 31 August 2022 to qualify (Please add your team name as your booking)
  • FREE CAMPING and other discounted accommodation options are available for all participants at The Waterfront, Livingstone, Zambia
EMAIL: zaminfo@safpar.com to BOOK
ACTIVITIES
Makumbi Sunset Cruise FREE cruise for Teams (excl. Park Fees)FREE
Makumbi Sunset Cruise for family & Friends$48.00 pp
ACCOMMODATIONPP SHARINGSINGLE
VFWF Adventure Village Tent per Tent $22.50 $33.75
Adventure Village Room Rate per Room $56.25 $82.50
VFWF Family Room Rate per Room – RATE PER ROOM SLEEPS 4 IN TWIN BEDS $240
VFWF Garden Room Rate per Room $93.75 $142.50
VFWF Executive Room Rate per Room$120.00$176.25
VFWF River Facing Room Rate per Room $108.75 $150.00
Camping FREE for Festival Participants$0.00$0.00

A few memories from last year’s event

To read more about last year’s event click here