7 Days Rafting and Zambia Safari Tour
7 Days Rafting and Zambia Safari Tour
Overview
Considered the best one day rafting experience in the world, the Zambezi River flowing down the Batoka Gorge provides one of the most intense sensory thrills imaginable. Its white-water rapids and striking scenery, deep within the sheer black cliffs of the Batoka Gorge afford the adrenaline junkie a wild roller-coaster ride along a route carved over millennia by the middle Zambezi River.
The rapids are run in large rubber rafts launched from just below the Falls. You can do a half day trip, full day or two day. When the river is high, from March to July, only the last 13 rapids can be attempted. As the water subsides, from June to February, all 23 are navigable. If you are keen for the ultimate thrill then a multi-day trip along the Zambezi is it!
Not suitable for
- Pregnant women
- People with back problems
- People with mobility impairments
- Wheelchair users
Tour Map
Group Price
- The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.
- All prices are based on shared accommodation. Please inquire for a 1 guest private room accommodation quote
- Prices listed are not final. Please inquire for your final price quote.
2 pax | 3-4 pax | 5-6 pax | 7-8 pax |
---|---|---|---|
US $5,250 | US $5,100 | US $5,000 | US $4,900 |
Included/Excluded
- Multi-day trips are a FULL BOARD experience. Meals and drinks will be catered for. Your trip leader will contact you in advance to discuss dietaries and drink preferences.
- Purified water is provided on all trips
- Tents are provided
- Thermarest-style mattresses
- Personal flotation device (PFD)
- Waterproof dry bags to hold your belongings for the trip
- Return transfers from hotels within Livingstone
- Full HD video/photographs of your excursion will be uploaded into the cloud and made available to all clients with our compliments
- Dept of National Parks River Fees
- National Heritage Fees
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
- Sleeping Bag
- Activities/day excursions not specified in itinerary
- Tips
Day 1: Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport
Upon your arrival at Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone, Zambia, a Nature Horizons team member will be waiting for you at the airport. After you meet your guide, we will transfer you to your hotel in Livingstone. Once you are checked into your hotel, you have the day to relax and get your bearings. If you need anything from town, our team members are always nearby and will assist you in anything you need. Before dinner, we are going to have a safety briefing about our rafting tour. Also, we are going to go through a gear check just to make sure you have all the necessary things you will need on this adventure. If you are missing anything, we will head into town and assist you in purchasing the missing items from our local markets. After dinner, relax and enjoy the nightlife! Welcome to Africa, the Motherland.
Day 2: Victoria Falls
Today we are going to be rafting down the mighty Zambezi! We will wake up early at sunrise and start our day with a tour of one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the mighty Victoria Falls. Once we are finished with our tour, we are going to head down to the boiling pot at the bottom of the gorge to start our rafting trip. Once we are at the bottom of the gorge we will have a second safety talk, where you will learn of the dos and don’ts of the trip. Once the safety talk is done you will be given the rafting gear (helmet, life jacket, and paddles).
Before we start rafting down the rapids, we are going to get in the rafts and paddle upstream. This is a very unique place where you will be in the spray and swim below the falls. We call it the “spray tour”. You will be surrounded by the thundering sound of the water and the energizing spray of the water falling from the falls. You have time to walk around the basalt rocks, see the falls from below, and even do a bit of fishing if you want. Swimming in this area is safe and an experience like none other. Next, we will enjoy lunch right under the falls.
Now it’s time to start rafting! Today we are going to raft from Rapid 1 to Rapid 21. This might be the most epic rafting experience in the world. In season, the mighty Zambezi River is the most powerful river on Earth. Rafting it is like no other river you have ever been on in your life. We are going to raft until around two hours before sunset. Once we reach our camp, you will find your tents and camp already set up. Now we can relax!
Dinner is set around 7 pm around the bonfire. After dinner, it’s time to tell stories and get to know each other and those that are tired and want to sleep can do so.
Day 3: Zambezi
Today we will wake up with the sun. We never want to miss the chance at a magical sunrise on the Zambezi. Coffee and tea will be ready as soon as you wake up and breakfast will be served around 9 am. After we finish breakfast and relax on the beaches of the Zambezi, we head out for more rafting.
Today we will raft from Rapid 21 past Rapid 25 and into lower Moemba . We will raft today for about six hours, stopping for lunch along the way and relaxing by the river. Tonight will be our last night camping on the Zambezi. Everyone will gather around a large bonfire and share stories and reminisce on the adventurous day we just had together. After dinner feel free to lay on the beach and watch the stars. The Zambezi night sky is one of the most magical night skies. Fall asleep in your tent as you watch the stars by the large cliffs of the Zambezi.
Day 4: Zambezi
Our last breakfast on the Zambezi will be ready at 08:30 am. After breakfast, we will head out rafting from lower Moemba to upper Moemba . The group will be rafting for 2-3 hours today on our final day. When we reach our exit destination, we will hop in our 4×4 that will be waiting for us. Enjoy a beautiful scenic drive to Livingstone. We will travel through several traditional Zambian villages on the way back to Livingstone. When we reach Livingstone we will check you into your hotel accommodation. Now is a great time to relax and rest. We have an adventure-filled two days ahead of us starting tomorrow morning.
Day 5: Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park
We will wake up at 5:30 am and prepare for your early morning safari. Coffee, biscuits, and fruit will be ready for you to enjoy with the brisk morning breeze. Prepare to depart your hotel at 6:00 am sharp. We are leaving for Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park. Inside this National Park that is the home of white rhinos, you will find a vast array of wildlife and birds. We will complete a three-hour mobile safari stopping for wildlife every chance we get as we always do. Also, we will be in contact with the park rangers who are protecting the white rhinos 24/7, and we will get a chance to walk with them. Walking with a white rhino is truly an amazing experience. After our wildlife safari, we will head straight for Victoria Falls to complete a full tour viewing from the top. After you see the falls from above we will head back to our hotel. Today we have a sunset river cruise departing at 4:30 pm. We are going to enjoy dinner on the boat while we cruise up the Zambezi River, spotting wildlife on the Zambia and Zimbabwe side as we cruise through many areas that wildlife frequent. At the end of our cruise, we will head back to our hotel accommodation. Enjoy the night relaxing under the stars at your accommodation, and as always, your guide will be there to assist you with anything you may need.
Day 6: Mukuni Village Tour
Today you will wake up around 7 am. Enjoy your breakfast and coffee and relax! We will be departing your hotel at 8:30 am for a complete tour of Mukuni Village.
Chief Mukuni’s Village is a Royal village that was founded around the 13th century. It is home to about 7,000 Leya people. The Chief has invited visitors into his village to get a glimpse of how his people have lived for generations and learn a little about their traditional customs and beliefs.
The Chief’s guides and the people of the village are more than happy to show visitors their huts. They will show you inside, explain how they are built and decorated, introduce you to various craftsmen and women at work and ask you to taste some traditional food and beer. Remember that this is a working village, not a purpose-built tourist attraction, and it is a privilege to be welcomed into their lifestyle.
A tour to the Mukuni Village is a two-hour excursion where you can gain valuable knowledge of how an African village is run and the day-to-day routines of the people who live there. A headman will escort you around the village to explain village politics and to answer any questions that a client may have. A highlight is for you to see Chief Mukuni’s Palace.
You can also pre-arrange to have a taste of the traditional food and beer. There is also a large craft market in the village for you to buy some locally made crafts.
Nature Horizons is proud to introduce you to the ancestral African culture.
After we tour Mukuni Village, we will head straight back to Victoria Falls. Get ready for the thrill of a lifetime. From August to December, the water level and current on the Zambezi river’s topside are very low. This allows us to visit Devil’s Pool. Devil’s Pool is a small water pool on the edge of the waterfall! Your guide will safely assist you to the pool, where you can relax and enjoy a swim and literally hang over the waterfall and view the entire falls. The experience you will have here is sure to stick with you forever.
But the amazing experiences aren’t over today. Although you are departing Zambia tomorrow, the rest of today is yours to decide what you would like to do. If you feel like exploring for the rest of the day, your guide will make sure you have an amazing experience. All Nature Horizons guides are locals and have the most knowledge about their homeland to guide you to amazing locations. But if you feel like you would rather relax for the rest of the day, you may choose to do so. You will overnight at your hotel so you can get ready for your trip home tomorrow.
Day 7: Final Departure
Wake up and prepare for your transfer to the airport for your flight home. Your guide will be with you all day until it’s time to go to the airport.
Do I need a Visa?
What’s the weather like?
Do I need to take malaria medication?
What is the Language in Zambia?
Wil I Be able to do laundry during my Zambia Tour?
Can I drink tap water in Zambia?
What should I pack for a Safari in Zambia?
CLOTHING FOR ZAMBIA SAFARI
- Light weight shirts/blouses with long sleeves as protection from the sun and mosquitos
- T-shirts
- Shorts
- Jeans or safari trousers
- Pajamas
- Socks
- Underwear
- A light weight water-proof jacket
- Comfortable walking shoes/sneakers
- Comfortable walking sandals or flip flops for warmer days
- A wide brimmed hat with under-chin tie to prevent it from flying away
- Swimsuit
- A WARM WINDPROOF jacket (winter)
- A fleece jacket that will go under the warm jacket (winter)
- A warm polo neck shirt (winter)
- A beanie (winter)
- Gloves (winter)
- A warm scarf (winter)
EQUIPMENT / OTHER
- Sunglasses
- Spare prescription eye glasses/contact lenses
- Binoculars
- Cameras and related paraphernalia like lenses etc and plenty of memory cards and spare batteries
- A small powerful flashlight and extra batteries
- Travel alarm clock
- Small purse size umbrella can come in handy
- Small lint roller
- A light packable backpack or tote to carry equipment and stuff on game vehicles
- A supply of Ziploc bags in different sizes may come in handy for dust or water proofing cameras , wet bathing suits etc.
-
Chargers for cell phones, iPads, cameras, computers and you may want to invest in a mini travel charger surge protector with dual USB ports and five charging outlets.
PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT
- Band aids
- Antiseptic cream
- Pain tablets
- Heartburn relief
- Eye drops
- Insect repellant
- Itch spray for bug bites
- Sunscreen with high SPF factor
- Hand sanitizer
- Purse size kleenex packets
- Eye drops
- Chapstick
- “make you go ” pills “make you not go” pills as well as any prescription medications that you reply on on a daily basis.
What insurance do I need for rafting?
Is there an age restriction?
The minimum age is 15 years old regardless of body size or swimming capability. The maximum age limit is dependent on the individual’s general state of health and physical fitness.
I’ve never been rafting before. Can I join a trip?
No previous rafting experience is required if good swimming skills are combined with a “GO FOR IT” attitude. A reasonable level of fitness is required as clients must negotiate a steep path in and out of the gorge. The walk out is 750 vertical feet up a gradient of 1 in 3, and a person of average fitness can manage this in approximately 20 minutes.
Are your rafts safe?
We uses some of the finest equipment on the market to ensure that the trip is a safe and enjoyable one. Rafts are purchased from Ark in South Africa and are tried, and tested river rafts required for the Zambezi River. We only uses ‘high flotation life jackets’ and Protec designed safety helmets which are issued to clients before the day’s rafting.
Please tell me more about your guides & river safety?
Nature Horizons is one of the company on the Zambezi with a 100% guide certification under the International Rafting Federation. All guides are fully trained professionals and hold valid advanced first aid certificates. A comprehensive first aid kit and skid stretcher is carried on each trip. Each client is required to sign the Safari Par Excellence White Water Rafting Indemnity Form prior to departure. Each trip leader carries a SAT phone and is in radio contact with our base in Livingstone, Zambia and covered by S.E.S (Specialty Emergency Services) based in Livingstone. Our guide team also hold American Heart Association Basic Life Support qualifications and we have an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) on every trip. Whilst every precaution is taken, it is essential that clients are aware that there is a risk of injury associated with the activity of rafting on the Zambezi – the Zambezi is a Class V river – the highest level of commercially available rafting in the world. White water rafting is an extreme sport.
Zambia Safari Packing list
If this is your first time in Zambia or your first time on safari, this packing list below can help to be well prepared and comfortable during your adventure. If you do forget a few things, do not worry, you can pick up most everyday items in town before you leave.
Travel Documents
- Valid passport
- Yellow fever vaccination records/ certificate.
- Zambia visa, available at airport upon arrival, USD $100 payable in cash only for US citizens or USD $50 for residents of UK/European Union and most other countries.
- Copy of flight itinerary.
- Copy of travel and/or medical evacuation insurance.
- Personal medical/dental insurance cards.
- Credit card (Visa and MasterCard are most widely accepted).
- Cash in U.S. Dollars (bills MUST have been issued in 2004 or later)
Clothing
Remember, it’s not a fashion show out there, so be a bit more practical when choosing your safari wardrobe. Try to stay away from bright colours – khaki and other neutral colours tend to work well. It is probably best if you dress in layers since it can get cold, but also very hot.
- Sweater or fleece pullover to keep warm
- Sturdy boots or sandals
- Sun hat
- Sun glasses
- T-shirts or polo shirts (2-5 depending on how often you want to change)
- Long sleeve shirts (light weight)
- Shorts
- Long trousers
- Underwear
- Socks
- Sleepwear
- Travel towel
- Thermal underwear, gloves and warm hat (during May – Sept)
- Rain coat and rain trousers (During rainy season Mar – May and Oct – Dec)
Highly recommended
- Camera and memory cards
- Binoculars
- Sunscreen
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
- Insect Repellent
- Personal toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothbrush, eye drops etc)
- Malaria tablets
- Basic first aid kit and prescription medicines
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Chargers and extra batteries for your camera, phone etc
- Power adapter to fit the UK style electrical socket
Others tips
- Bring soft luggage such as a duffel bag, hiking pack or sports bag. These are ideal for packing into a safari vehicle. Hard suitcases can often be difficult to fit into the vehicles.
- Bring a backpack to carry all of your important items including travel documents, money, camera, medication etc. You should keep this backpack with you at all times.
- Keep luxury items such as hair dryers/ straighteners, expensive jewellery, make up and bulky toiletries to an absolute minimum. If in doubt, leave them out.
- If you plan to bring cash, divide it into different areas of your carry-on luggage, wallet and money belt just in case something happens to one of those carry items.
- Leave some space in your luggage for the all-important souvenirs that you will probably buy. There are places where you can send packages home via DHL etc, however this can sometimes be an expensive option.
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Our TripAdvisor Reviews
Kika C2024-12-16Amazing experience and customer service!!! I highly recommend Dominick with Nature Horizons Tours!! I am a travel advisor who had a bit of a last-minute booking with a family to Peru. I reached out to Dominick immediately, since I knew he’d be fabulous!! He went above and beyond with communication, response, time, organization, and more! He got the very happy clients booked within a few days and I am super grateful for his services!!! he was so kind to start a WhatsApp group chat with me and my clients to answer any and all questions we had! Thank you!!!!Evan L2024-10-29Amazing time at Machu Picchu We had a great time in the Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco! Great views and excellent guide and transportation. Everything was great!Karen H2024-10-29Excellent experience I have worked with Nature Horizons as a travel advisor and it was an excellent experience. I 100% trust this team to deliver an exceptional trip for my clients. They are quick to respond to questions and the communication while my clients were traveling was outstanding. They had excellent knowledge of the area and were able to provide more local tips and suggestions that I would have been able to provide alone.Highly recommend.Rosie H2024-08-18Epic African Safari to Tanzania My husband and I planned a trip with 2 other couples to go on an African Safari in Tanzania for the Great Migration experience as well as the Serengeti which was epic all by itself. We visited and stayed across Moshi (Mt. Kilimanjaro area), the North & Central Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, Lake Maynara, nKomazi Black Rhino Sanctuary, Tarangire and probably a few other places I can't recall. We stayed at tented temporary camps to luxury camps. We stayed at Weru Weru lodge, Serengeti Heritage lodge, Central Serengeti Luxury camp, Rhino Lodge, Lake Maynara Safari Lodge and finally at Kilimanjaro Luxury camp. These venues each had their own beauty with furnishings, mosquito nets, traditional African tribal entertainment, good food and amazing staff who catered to our every need and comfort. Even in the bush, we still had access to electricity, hot water, bottled water, showers, toilets and yes of course, the internet but you have to be realistic since the bush is the bush with hyenas, big cats and elephants moving around the property. I really loved the Masai warriors who made us feel safe as they escorted back and forth between tents and the main camp. We were so blessed to experience the BIG 5 largely due to the expertise of our guides Praygod and Victor. They were the best and boy did they make the trip. I was grateful for their knowledge of the terrain, their respect for the wildlife, education and tolerating our 1000s of questions. We had 3 couples plus the owner operator Dominick and we rotated across 2 Land Cruisers. I wouldn't have it any other way, I never felt cramped and being able to pop my head up in the open roof was great for photos and viewing the animals with my binoculars. This was a once in a life time trip that I highly recommend to anyone that has grown up watching animal planet and national geographic as a kids. When you see these animals only feet away from you, the kid in you returns and you will definitely cry at the beauty of these animals in their natural habitat. I highly recommend Nature Horizons since they are well connected across the different operators and local partners. They lodging was great and it provided a little bit of raw nature in the bush, feeling like a roughed it a bit (but not really) to the beauty Kilimanjaro luxury camp the last 2 nights to be at the foot of Kilimanjaro, and being able to see her greatness above the clouds. I have been back a month and I can't stop talking about my experience in Tanzania. I was able to experience the beauty of the people of Tanzania, an actual Masai village, shopping at the awesome African Galleria, and getting souvenir's at the cool places our guides felt were respectable locations for tourists. I am not sure when, but I plan to go back to explore more of Tanzania and Africa.Nikole2024-07-17No Words I feel very fortunate to have gone on this safari with Nature Horizons. I went with a group of people and only knew one. Each place that we stayed at was very special in its own way. Dominick is a very kind, intelligent, fun human. He has built all the right relationships to ensure all of his clients are taken care of. We were able to see all of the big five. Our guides felt like family. I’ve never been on a trip that was so magical and was so hard to leave. It has nearly been half a year and our group still talks with each other. We bonded so much that we committed to going on a trip together every 5 years. If you’re thinking about this, DO IT! Do it with Nature Horizons! They will go the extra mile for you to get the experience of a lifetime. They even made sure we had opportunities to connect with the people of Tanzania.Rebecca M2024-06-23Unforgettable vacation We worked with Nature Horizons for our honeymoon to Peru and it far exceeded any expectations we had! It was the most incredible experience and itinerary they created for us and Deivis was always on top of everything and extremely responsive if we had questions. I give this company my highest/strongest recommendation if you are thinking of going to any of the countries they service!Dream224010839132024-06-12Great Travel Team! I am a travel advisor and just sent my clients on their honeymoon with Nature Horizons. They visited Peru and had the most amazing time. The Nature Horizons team was so easy to work with. listened to my requests, and made all the revisions I needed. They took wonderful care of my clients as if they were their own. I can't wait to work with them again!Noe V2024-06-11Full service trip to Perú We had a wonderful time traveling through Perú for two weeks on an itinerary planned by Deivis, through nature horizons.The experience was so much more than we originally expected. Every detail was accounted for. From private drivers to knowledgeable tour guides, there was nothing lacking.I don't know if we'll ever be able to take a trip like this again, but I'm so glad we did at least once. Thank you so much. I'll never forget these amazing days.Jill D2024-04-20Not enough stars to rate this company- THE BEST time ever!!! If there were a million stars to rate this company and my recent trip, it wouldn't be enough. Nature Horizons is amazing. I first met the owner, Dominick at a convention for travel advisors in 2023. I knew immediately that he was a very special person and he had a very obvious love for the tours he had created in the destinations he adored. The story of developing his company is inspiring and his work ethic has continued to impress me during all stages of my Safari planning, from its conception to preparation to hosting us during the Great Migration in Tanzania. His communication is efficient, sincere and organized. He is thorough and thoughtful. He is fun and personable. He is extremely knowledgeable and has vetted resources to execute adventures across many countries. Our Safari was 12 days of awesome-ness. We truly couldn't have asked for a better experience. Each day was well-planned and our guides helped us see so many animals, sites and natural wonders. They knew where to be and when for us to see the most miraculous things. Dominick was such a friendly host, helping us gain perspective and a true taste of Tanzania. He listened to our wishlist, considered our requests and delivered days that we will never forget. Dominick truly cares about each and every guest and also has such respect for some of the most treasured creatures and places on our planet. I can't imagine a better Safari ever happening. But, knowing Dominick, he will make sure the next one and the next and the next are better than the one before it. That's how much he cares.I have to share a couple of our favorite moments were totally unplanned, though. Our Safari vehicle got stuck in the mud as rains started in the Central Serengeti. Dominick stayed calm, assured us that all was well and we sipped champagne as we watched the men try to get us unstuck...comical. Everything happens for a reason and we saw a perfectly complete rainbow soon after our vehicle was moving down the road. It couldn't have been scripted any better! As we continued on the way back to our lodge, we came across a Lioness and her brand-new cub. This is something rarely seen and we were sure Dominick paid the Lioness to appear for us. LOL. These examples are merely a glimpse of memories we made. And, part of the reason these moments were so special was because we were in the moment, which was as Nature Horizons intended. We had not a care in the world and could simply "be" in nature. I can't thank the entire team enough for such a wonderful two weeks.416marlysl2024-04-04Amazing Experience! This trip was, by far, the most amazing trip I have ever taken! Dominick and his driver/guides were fabulous! They definitely found all the animals we wanted to see and many unexpected sites as well. They were so accommodating, stopping whenever we asked even if it was just for a bird or turtle crossing the road. Our guide, Praygod, was able to identify every bird we saw! Their knowledge of the wildlife was phenomenal. We learned so much about the culture, food, and local life from our casual conversations. The accommodations, while not luxury, were very comfortable and the food was very good, especially the soups. When I go back, it will definitely be with Dominick and Nature Horizons Tours!Tripadvisor rating score: 5.0 of 5,
based on 63 reviews