White water rafting in Zambezi River

Considered one of the most exciting and wild rafting experiences in the world, paying 160 USD to do rafting in Zambezi River is worth it! The river has 26 rapids and is the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

rafting-zambezi-transport

We left Livingston backpackers at 7:30 and got a 4×4 with SAFPAR, the resort that organizes the rafting. Maud from France and Alex from Romania joined me in this adventure.  We arrived in the resort, did the payment and dressed ourselves with the safety equipment. We kept traveling more one and half hour until the entry of a trek that leaded us to the boats in the river.

rafting-zambezi-river

In the first rapid 3 people fell of the boat showing us that it would not be an easy task. I sat in the front on the left side and Alex on the right. We were responsible to define the rhythm and synchronization of paddling for the entire boat.

As soon as we reached a rapid called “terminator” the strength of the river flipped our boat upside down.

rafting-zambezi

rafting-zambezi-river

The guide tried to turn the boat with no success and a few seconds after we were washed by a wave that pushed the boat far from us.

rafting-zambezi-zambia

The guide managed to turn the boat and rescued us one by one. A few minutes after we sighted another boat upside down. By this time we passed safely and celebrated!Screen Shot 2015-04-13 at 4.41.08 PMScreen Shot 2015-04-13 at 4.42.39 PM

Our guide allowed us to swim and relax a bit as soon as we reached a calm part of the river. The problem is that he saw a crocodile in the water a few meters of us after we were all in. He warned us to swim as fast as possible back to the boat.

zambezi-river-crocodileScreen Shot 2015-04-13 at 4.47.48 PM

In the end everything went alright and we reached our final destination, a cable car to the top of a mountain where we received water, soft drinks and a bit of food.

Back to the resort we could have a look at the amazing pictures and videos that were for sale at the price of 70 USD.