Half Day Zambezi Whitewater Rafting

Recommended by 94% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

4 to 5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Enjoy a half-day rafting the Zambezi river with a local guide and admire the landscape of Batoka Gorge. Flowing through a shallow basin, the river winds below flat plateau as far as the eye can see. Choose to raft a more challenging section of the river with class four and five rapids, or opt for a more beginner-friendly section. After the trip, lunch (included) is served.

Half-day rafting on the Zambezi River
Lunch included
Morning and afternoon departures available
Hotel pickup and drop-off included

What's Included

Transfer to and from your Hotel / place of residence
Lunch
Beverages
Photos and Videos

National Park Fees
Visa

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up from all the hotels or residence in Livingstone town ,Victoria falls town Zimbabwe and kasane town Botswana.

Itinerary

Victoria Falls (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not wheelchair accessible
Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
Near public transportation

Not recommended for travelers with back problems
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

bryanafultz

We had an AMAZING time! It was a 10/10 experience and I highly recommend! Andrew was our Captain and guide and he was very knowledgeable and professional and helped us feel safe and comfortable. Him and his team were so awesome, they worked so hard taking care of us and we appreciate it so much! We had so much fun and we are so grateful to Andrew and his team!!!

Reviews

4.7

based on 175 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Just wow!

ranners77, Mar 2026

Just back from the half day rafting and wow! what an experience. Andrew, Abraham and the team did an amazing job. The experience ended up being a private one as we were the only 2 on the day and to say I was nervous beforehand would be an understatement but the team did a fantastic job of putting us at ease. To have photos and lunch included, was a huge plus too. Thank you for such a fantastic last day of our holiday!! Things to know ahead of the trip... - The experience starts from Zambia so if, like us, you are staying on the Zimbabwe side you need to take your passports and go through immigration. - The walk down to the gorge was steep, but had steps. The walk back up was a slightly different experience, it was steep with uneven footing but still doable. Definitely need a good pair of shoes to do both ways. - At the lodge stop, where you have lunch afterwards, there are no toilet facilities and so no ability to easily get changed. This meant that the travel back, which is quite a long trip, can get a little bit chilly (it was beginning of March) as we were still in our wet clothes. Just sharing as useful information and in no way did any of it detract from a fantastic experience!!!

Amazing experience!

bryanafultz, Sep 2025

Response from Host, Sep 2025

We thank you for taking your special precious time to write this great review. We greatly thank you so much. Its nice to hear that you had amazing experience during rafting with Maano Adventures Thank you and hope to see you in the near future.

Whitewater rafting on the...

Manisha_K, Aug 2025

Whitewater rafting on the Zambezi was one of the highlights of our trip and we would 100% recommend doing it with Maano! Our guides, Andrew and Abraham (as well as others I can't remember the name of, sorry!) were super experienced and so we felt safe at all times, whilst also being friendly and hilarious and making us laugh all day. They also offer the photos and videos for free unlike other companies which is a great bonus! Just a note, this company are based in Zambia, and so I'd recommend a Kaza visa if you're eligible, as it means you can cross between Zambia and Zimbabwe with no restrictions.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Thank you for your review.

Absolutely breathtaking...

Christiaan_J, Jul 2025

Absolutely breathtaking experience. Staff are very friendly and professional, beautiful scenery. Make sure to pack water wicking clothes. Rapids are extremely fun and make for a good cooling off. I cannot recommend this experience anymore, and it is something you will remember for the rest of your days.

Response from Host, Jul 2025

Thanks alot for the review. This is very good feedback to us .looking forward to see you in the near future.

Should've done the full day option!

Bertha_S, Aug 2024

This experience was so much fun! It was my 2nd time rafting and my first time on Grade 5 rapids and it was scary at first but the instructors gave directions and provided clarity to ensure you knew what to do when they called the commands. Andrew commanded our raft perfectly and I was very very happy that we didn't flip over and no one fell out! We went through the first 9 rapids and when they stopped to drop me off and continue with the full day tour, I was sad to end there! I highly recommend this experience.

Response from Host, Aug 2024

We greatly thank you so much for the great review you have given us. It gives us motivation to keep going and doing the right thing. Thank you and hope to see you in the near future.

Fantastic trip & the guys made it all the better

Andrew_S, Feb 2024

The guys that work for the company, James, Andrew, Abraham, Clement and all were fantastic from start to finish. Picked us up from Hotel where Jarvis our driver was awesome, drove us to the border and navigated us thru the border to James in Zambia. The only thing I will tell you if you are not fit don't go as the climb out of the river is not for the faint hearted.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Andrew. Thank you for the great review you gave us. We also thank you for appreciating the service given to you by the crew.James,Andrew, clement and ABRAHAM . This is nice to hear from you. Thank you and looking forward to see you in the near future.

Not to be missed experience for those that like some physicality

david_R, Jan 2024

The rafting experience was fantastic! The captain (James) and his fabulous crew made it a great adrenaline rush while feeling safety was their paramount thought! The only downside was that the tour provider did not communicate enough. Knowing that I had to bring not only my passport but that I could have got a dual entry visa would have saved me a lot of money

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear David. Thank you very much for taking you take and giving us this great review. Nice to hear that Captain James and crew were fabulous they made great adrenaline rush,while feeling safely was their paramount through. We sincerely thank you for choosing maano adventures as your company of choice and for supporting our lifestyle. Stay blessed and looking forward to see you in the near future.

This was a high intensity adrenaline activity.

Rebecca_M, Jan 2024

We had very experienced captains who knew when we could jump overboard and swim some rapids. We didn’t flip and only had 1 member fall out. We were safe and in control at all times.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Dear Rebecca. Thank you for the review you gave us. We are so happy to hear that you had a lovely time during and after your rafting trip. Good to know that you captain guide was very experienced and he knew what he was doing. Thank you and looking forward to see you in the near future.

DON’T DO IT IF YOU ARE NOT EXPERIENCED

Revekka_P, Dec 2023

I want to mention that the crew and the guides were great. Really experienced and helpful and the whole adventure could be a great experience. The thing that they failed to mention us is that you should be experienced in rafting or at least not go when high water. Having said that for us it was the most horrifying experience of our life. We were thrown inside the river, under the boat with the rapid bringing us down. Super unsafe. Some of us got hit some of us drunk so much water that we aborted the rafting and walked back the mountain. I would recommend as a great experience which it will be for people experienced in rafting. Otherwise it becomes dangerous.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Thank you for your feedback. We understand you very much. Rafting is an extreme sport which calls for adventurous people not for heartfainted people. We take you advise very serious. You should be happy that you rafted the best river in the world. Looking forward to see you in the near future. Am sure you can do better next time.

Amazing day

Colleen_J, Aug 2023

The rapids were fantastic and we were well looked after by our amazing captain James and his entire crew. Lots of fun and adrenaline rush for all of us.

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thank you for speaking your precious time to write a great review to us. As maano adventures we thank you for supporting our lifestyle. Looking forward to see you in the near future.

Fun, safe and adventurous

patu999, Aug 2023

I went with my friend and we had a fantastic time!!! We were treated by royalty, the crew was very friendly and sweet. They made sure that everything went well and safe. They were funny, kind and just all over a great experience. Thank you so much for an amazing day!

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Thanks alot for the great review. Nice to hear that you had amazing time,with fantastic crew. You were treated with loyalty these are your words. We thank you .

Professional and great crew

Rikke_H, May 2023

Professional and great crew, we had a blast. Remember to get a multiple entry visa to Zimbabwe if you are staying there.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Dear RIKKE. Thank you for being truthful. Professional and great crew. THESE WERE YOUR WORDS. We work hard to make sure very one enjoy and feels at home.

Recommend for rapids that you can’t get anywhere in the states!!!

Alexis_M, May 2023

Overall, this was a very memorable experience, and one that I would highly recommend. It was locally run and we got the opportunity to drive through villages and learn more about the culture there on top of a once in a lifetime rafting experience. Andrew was our leader, and he was joined by three crew who were very attentive to our safety and enjoyment. The only thing I would ask to improve is the communication around visas and national park fees. It took several conversations to get clarity on what we needed to pay for in terms of entry fees, and which visas we needed to apply for prior to joining the activity. The couple we were with did not pre-apply for a visa, and therefore had to cancel their rafting upon arrival. It was a shame to see them get turned away, so make sure you have the conversation before hand. There is also a hefty hike back up to the meeting point after rafting is done, so make sure you’re in some sort of physical shape to be able to do so.

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Dear ALEXIS. Thank you for the wonderful review. We happy to here that the rafting trip was a memorable experience of your life time, hoping to see you in the near future

This is THE rafting experience to choose!!!

David_M, Mar 2023

Manno and his team are wonderful! The trip started off with us getting picked up and shuttled to Zambia from Zimbabwe (MAKE SURE TO BRING $30 CASH PER PERSON FOR THE VISA FEE IF YOU TRAVEL THE BOARDER - learn from our mistakes!) and meeting up with Manno for the drive out to the rapids. After an African Massage of a ride, we got out and hiked down to the bottom of the gorge to jump in. Manno’s team set up the raft and after some quick instructions, we hopped in and off we went. The views were beautiful, the rapids were awesome and the water (yes we got to swim in the Zambezi) was warm. It was a pretty long and exciting rafting experience that is totally worth it if you have time outside of seeing the falls. The pictures from the camera man were amazing, and the lunch that was provided was only outdone by the view where we ate. I would say that the hikes down and up the gorge aren't a walk in the park, so be ready for them. Bring comfortable hiking shoes, as they store them for you so they won’t get wet on the river. This particular rafting is the only one that is locally ran, so if you’re going to choose a rafting experience, MAKE SURE TO CHOOSE THIS ONE!!!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

thank you very much for such a wonderful review. kind regards

Very bad experience - Avoid

LEIGH_E, Mar 2023

The trip was canceled and money not refunded. They couldn’t accommodate my time slot booked. We tried to change it but couldn’t find one that worked. Multiple requests for a refund (that should have been automatic) were made but ignored.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hello Thank you very much for the review ,the funds were refunded to you . kind regards

Experience of a lifetime!

Aileen_P, Oct 2022

We had the most incredible experience with Jems and his crew at Maano Adventures. The rafting experience was breath taking, adventures and so much fun. The crew is very well trained making us feel very safe throughout our experience and so much fun! We did the half day tour which included 13 rapids rating class 3-5. Our raft did flip, and my husband did get pulled out once but it all felt very safe because of our awesome crew. We even got to go swimming down one of the rapids.. on purpose! We did take the option to get our experience on video and it was so worth it. One of the crew members in a safety kayak goes ahead/ stays back, jumping in and out for the river to get our actions shots! Also a shout out to the crew who sets up and take down the rafting gear up and down a pretty steep descend and climb at the start and finish of the experience. Thank you Jems and all the crew, that was an experience of a lifetime! We have already suggested it to friends travelling in the area who have booked in!