11 May 2025
It was our first time going whitewater rafting and I am not gonna lie here - I was not prepared for how much of an adrenaline rush this experience would be. But a part of me is glad that I wasn´t because if I did, I probably would not have had the courage to go through with it. If this is your first time too, know that the Zambezi is classified as a IV-V river, meaning the rapids are on the higher end of intensity for commercial rafting. Our raft flipped over crossing an especially vigorous rapid in the beginning, and a few people fell off soon afterwards whilst passing another. Being trapped underneath the raft under the forceful water was especially scary for me, but the team did their best to prep us beforehand and they worked fast to ensure a steady and safe rescue of everyone. After getting through the hurdles, we were put at ease for the rest of the journey. The views of the Gorge were stunning and passing through less threatening rapids felt especially exhilarating. There were even opportunities to take a short swim. Big thanks to our captain, Andrew, and the rest of the crew for their kindness and for keeping us afloat (literally)! Please note that the hike up to the top at the end is quite steep with loose gravel during the hot start of the afternoon. After a long morning of exhaustive rafting, this can be very challenging, even for people in decent shape. Not advisable for anyone prone to heat stroke or with weak knees.