Rafting 101

White water rafting down the Zambezi River in Zambia was one of the main things we wanted to do on our overland tour through Africa. During our introductory meeting, we were told the rapids would be rated 4s and 5s, due to the low water levels (i.e. the rapids are much quicker this time of year), but to be completely honest, they felt more like 7s and 8s. To better prepare you for your next white water rafting experience, here are a few tips we've compiled with help from our rafting guide, Tembo.

1) Always continue paddling through the rapid, unless told to stop by your guide.

DO

DON'T

2) Don't grab on to people if you think you're going to fall out. Do grab the raft.

DO

DON'T

3) Don't let go of the rafting ropes while you are riding out the rapid. Do stay in a squatted position.

DO

DON'T

 4) In the off chance that you do fall out, don't panic. Hold on to the raft to keep your head out of the water throughout the duration of the rapid.

DO 

DON'T

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Living On The Edge

I have to admit we were a little sad when we arrived at one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world and realized it was at its weakest flow of the year.  Don't get me wrong, it was incredible and there was still a large amount of water falling into the Zambezi River, but it wasn't what is seen in the rainy season, or in those picturesque postcards.  Chris took some shots of the gorge and we thought, "Wow, this must be a site to see in rainy season."

Victoria Falls (Looking at Zambia side)

Zimbabwe on the left / Zambia on the right

However, two days later, our opinion on low season did a 180.  It was right after we went out to see the "Devil's Pool."

Brave guides take tons of tourists, like ourselves, in low season out to the pool which sits at the very edge of the falls. You have to cross the river to get to it. I remember swimming through, after our guide, and feeling the current pull my body ever so slightly downstream toward the drop zone.  I kept thinking about the force of the river at it's max. We swam over to the pool's edge to have a look at the drop off.  I watched the falling waters, just a few feet away, as it rolled off the edge and plummeted down into the massive gorge.

Devil's Pool

It wasn't as scary so much as it was impressive. I left feeling humbled and appreciative of the natural wonder that is Victoria Falls.

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