Rafting the Zambezi

Trip Start Sep 04, 2008

Trip End Oct 13, 2008

Loading Map

Map your own trip!

Map Options

Show trip route

Hide lines

Flag of Zambia Livingstone, Zambia
Monday, September 29, 2008

I can't quite remember the what we did for the 2 days after Kande Beach in Malawi, I am pretty sure it was because they were two driving days. Long, HOT, driving days. By 11am on the first day of driving we had reached 39.9 degrees. It was very draining. we stopped at a village and found ICE cold drinks (which is a luxury here) and even managed to find a bottle of water that was half frozen. Bliss. The top temp for the day was 41.3 and the following day was 43.9.

Anyway - more exciting that the hot days driving was arriving at Livingstone the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. we spent the first 2 hours at the Falls and nearly got knocked of a bridge by 2 baboons who were charging us - actually we decided that is was more scarey than seeing lions. The falls are quite low at the moment, but we could imagine what it would look like in the rain season, but that was the price to pay to come at this time of year - good time for seeing animals, bad time for Vic Falls.

After the Falls we arrived at our campsite/hotel. We immediately upgraded to a room - which was the best decision as the other half who stayed in tents were eaten alive by mosquitos.

We booked all our activities early - our first being Water Water Rafting. We started at a rapid named 'The Boiling Point' which is right at the base of Vic Falls and the followed by others that were called Suicide, Devils Hell etc etc - you get the picture. Anyway - it was heaps of fun. I fell out twice. First time it was terrifying (mum I am fine), and think I still have the litre of water in my lungs as a souvenir, but the second time it was ok, as I knew what to expect. Anthony managed to stay in the raft. We rafted for about 2 hours, then had to walk out of the gorge. Hard work - but there were cold drinks and beer at the top in the shuttle bus.

That afternoon we traded stories and then had a sunset cruise on the Zambezi with dinner and drinks. We saw heaps of hippos and some elephant also enjoying dinner.

Tomorrow - Zimbabwe to walk with Lions.