Zambezi River Class IV-V White-Water Rafting from Victoria Falls

Overview

Available languages

English

6 hours

Mobile ticket

If you're looking for adventure in Zimbabwe, experience the Zambezi River on a white-water rafting tour with pickup in Victoria Falls. With a guide, travel down one of the best one-day rafting rivers in the world, which plummets into a gorge at Victoria Falls, separating the placid river above the falls and the turbulent rapids below. The gorge is more than 328 feet (100 meter) deep at the falls and increases to more than 650 feet (200 meters) by the end of the full-day raft trip. Select a half-day or full-day trip when booking (dependent on availability). Water levels will determine whether you do low- or high-water rafting.

Additional Info

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

No age restriction as long the child can swim, weighs at least 50 lbs (23 kg), fits in a Class 5 youth life jacket, and has a parent's permission; if weight is less than 50 lbs, he or she can only do Level 3 rapids and must skip the Level 5 rapids (this will also depend on the guide's decision on which rapids or sections your child can do)

Please make sure to wear a T-shirt, shorts, and proper shoes for rafting and hiking up and down the canyon

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Local guide

Unlimited drinks (open bar)

Lunch

Light refreshments during rafting

All rafting gear (helmet, life jacket, and paddle)

National Park

Video and photos

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

There is gorge hike to the river & after the tour. Paddling those Zambezi rapids View of the beauty Canyon Hike out of the Canyon Voluntary swimming Rock jump depending on water level Beautiful drive through local village Option of purchasing some local carvings

Options

High Water Full Day Rafting

Duration: 6 hours: Higher water rafting (usually Jan-mid/end March and again June-July go to open season rapids & overall distance of about 18km
Lunch, Beers, Mineral Water, d
Open Truck with Safari Seats
Pickup included

Full Stretch Rafting

This is a high volume, pool-drop river with little exposed rock in the rapids or in the pools below the rapids. The Zambezi is internationally acclaimed as one of the best whitewater rafting. 7 hours

Half Stretch Rafting

This is a high volume, pool-drop river with little exposed rock in the rapids or in the pools below the rapids. The Zambezi is internationally acclaimed as one of the best whitewater rafting. 3 hours
Pickup included

Reviews

4.93

260 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

249

Amazing family fun!
Lind410,
Oct 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We chose Shockwave as it specialises in rafting the Zambezi . With two kids (13 and 16) we wanted to ensure the activity was an exciting challenge but appropriate for their ages/strength to enjoy. It did not disappoint. Safety was paramount but it did not detract from the thrill and enjoyment. Such a brilliant experience. Unbelievably good fun as we all paddled furiously along the rapids to the instructions from our experienced skipper Terry. Having an accompanying safety canoeist and of course wonderful and clear instructions from Terry meant you knew what to do at all times - paddle hard or duck down into the boat. We didn’t capsize and we only had one person overboard after a cheeky rapid but the team were always in control and they were back in the raft almost immediately. The areas where you can get out for a relaxing swim also help you feel comfortable in the water. A photographer also captured the day (costs extra and can also do videos). The half day ended with a steep trek back up the gorge to a very welcome lunch! You’ll finished tired, energised and proud that you’ve tackled those rapids. The Shockwave team are brilliant for safety and for fun and couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Family White Water Rafting
Jonathan D,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Had a fantastic time rafting with Shockwave Adventures. As a family of four (kids 16 & 13) we booked the half day rafting experience which comprised Rapids 2 through to 10. The whole experience was amazing, the safety aspect was very impressive and I would recommend Shockwave to anyone thinking of going as a family, it really is a well run outfit.
Excellent Tour- Be Prepared for the Climb Out!
Rmiller6329,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was awesome. The guides are knowledgeable and safety was very much the first priority. We had OG and Liberty and they were both so friendly and helpful. The rapids were raging and exciting. One person fell out of the boat during our whole trip(in the class 5 rapids) and the guides quickly pulled her back in. She even lost a shoe and we thought it was a lost cause but one of the safety kayakers recovered it. Which ended up being very important because the hike out IS NO JOKE. Listen. You are climbing straight up out of the canyon of Vic Falls. I don’t understand how all these reviews are so casual about it lol if you’re not a hiker, just be prepared. Again, the guides were super friendly and patient about it but god it was brutal. Am I glad I did the tour? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to a friend? Yeah, with this warning! Will I do it again? No, only because of the hike out(unless I decide to take up hiking as a hobby before then!). Don’t let this deter you. Just don’t ask why nobody warned you because here I am!
An adrenaline fueled...
Mike D,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
An adrenaline fueled paddle through some spectacular scenery, physically pretty tough! Great guides and support from other rafts and canoeists working together. There is 300m walk down to the river and back up at the end, but you can wear proper shoes for this which are carried in a dry bag on the raft and take your time. It is worth going for the photo package as opportunities for your own shots are pretty much non existent.
Quality Rafting Experience
M504QWharryb,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Terrence, Pumba (JB), Clement and Divine were all outstanding during our rafting. Had so much fun, felt safe and comfortable. All had lots of experience and navigated the rapids well! Food after was great too- The Birds
Fantastic day out
1 reviewer,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
A great experience rafting some level 4 & 5 rapids. The guides were great - Terrance was in our boat and gave good information ahead of each rapid as well as expertly steering us through. Good safety equipment and briefing. Really great fun. The walk down to the river and back up at the end was not easy but if you have some level of fitness you will be fine. This trip is definitely worth it.
Safety-concious, fun trip down the Zambezi
jordansA5741MD,
Sep 12, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing trip, guides were friendly, patient, knowledgeable. Safety is emphasized as the top priority. Overall great experience!
Excellent rafting but in/out hikes are tough
whliu2001,
Aug 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I did a half day rafting during lower water session. We had only 3 guests but we had 3 guides on the rafter and another on kayak. They made us felt very safe. Before the trip, I was a little scared of class v rapids but they turned out fine. The most difficult part is the hiking in and hiking out from the canyon. If you any mobility issues, don’t try it. Our leading guide was J.B. who is excellent.
Superb First Rafting Experience
eurahm,
Aug 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
I enjoyed my first time rafting with shockwave adventures. The team was very professional and experienced. The expirience looked felt very short even though it took more than 2 hours, will definetely be back for the 5 day expirience. Definetely worth if you are an adrenaline junkie like me. The mini hike out of the gorge at the end was a nice suprise.
Zambezi is Best River ever!
Cecilia H,
Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
As other reviewers have said, the trail down to the river and later back up is quite difficult and requires shoes with good tread and some energy. However, I am 72 and did it and the rafting trip was SOO worth it. The entire crew but most especially our guide OG were amazing.