Raft The Zambezi River

Your Bucket List Whitewater Rafting Adventure!

Looking for the adventure of a lifetime? There’s nothing like rushing waters to get the adrenaline pumping and memories making!

Our international rafting adventures offer spectacular scenery, the thrill of world-class whitewater, and the extraordinary experience of venturing to exotic locales that few ever do.

While we love ALL of our adventures, each unique and exciting in their own way, we’ve compiled a few faves to add to your bucket list. Break out your dry bag and strap on the sunnies, ‘cause you’re in for a fun and wild ride!

 

Futaleufu River Rafting Multi Sport

Futaleufu Chile, Patagonia Adventure

Experience the unforgettable!

One the world’s most acclaimed rafting rivers, the Futaleufu in the heart of Patagonia, Chile offers rapids (rated from Class II-V) of glorious turquoise water beneath towering snow-capped mountains and breathtaking glaciers.

For nine days, our gorgeous Futaleufu Adventure Base Camp overlooking the river will become your home-away-from-home, nestled into the cliff overlooking the river.

Comfort is key and with all that’s in store you’ll need a good night’s rest! Enjoy your own luxurious “safari-style” tented bungalow, complete with comfy mattresses and cozy down comforters.

Look forward to waking up each morning to a hot cup of coffee or tea, delivered to your luxurious “safari-style” tented bungalow door, as you anticipate the day’s fun!

Anticipate an exciting combination of activities guided by some of the most accomplished and talented international outdoor guides.

And it’s not just about the rafting! While we know that’s what brought you, there are a number of other great things to try and do on the water: inflatable kayaking on the Rio Azul, fishing for Patagonia rainbow trout, or take a lesson in whitewater kayaking.

Ready for some fun on shore? Take advantage of hiking or horseback riding up pristine valleys and mountain biking the wide range of trails available – ox-trails and single track.

There’s also plenty of time for R ’n R at our deluxe Base Camp. Enjoy some great lounging time during your stay with hot tub, sauna, massage, wine tasting, sunset bar, gourmet cuisine, and more!

Did we mention the Salsa dancing under the Southern Cross? Or, just simply relax by the campfire with a cup of tea. It’s up to you!

To learn more or to BOOK this vacation of a lifetime, visit the Futaleufu River Rafting Tour page.

 

Zambezi Explorer

Zambezi River Rafting Adventure

A once in a lifetime African adventure!

This beautiful and memorable twelve days will have you braving the epic rapids of the Zambezi River, exploring the game parks of Zimbabwe and Botswana, while getting your much needed rest in the comfort and elegance of safari lodges and camps.

Internationally acclaimed as one of the best locations for white water rafting, the mighty Zambezi, a quintessential African river – immense whitewater while being warm and friendly – meanders from Angola to the Indian ocean. It is best experienced towards the end of the dry season, August through October, where you can witness a variety of animals and game making their way to the riverbank to drink, swim, and frolic in the shallows.

We’ll visit Zimbabwe and Botswana, exploring the many facets of the Zambezi watershed in the region. There is a rich history of game viewing and preservation in this uniquely “veldt” like terrain.

With a highly evolved and protected national park system, the wildlife of Botswana is allowed to thrive and the elephant herds of Botswana and Zimbabwe are among the largest and most protected in Africa.

The opportunities to view game in this area are abundant and, at the same time, you’ll not find yourself overrun by the enthusiastic herds of tourists often found in East Africa.

This experience is truly spectacular. From your first dip into the Devil’s pool overlooking Victoria Falls, to watching elephants roam wild, to the massive rapids of the river, your rich and vibrant Zambezi adventure is sure to provide you with stories and memories to last a lifetime!

To learn more or to BOOK this vacation of a lifetime, visit the Zambezi River Rafting Explorer page.

 

Costa Rica Multi Sport

Costa Rica Wildlife Adventure

Explore, relax and get to know the real Costa Rica – a journey to paradise!

Another multi activity adventure that easily makes the bucket list is a journey to one of the most friendly and beautiful little countries in the Western Hemisphere: Costa Rica, or in English, aptly, Rich Coast. Truly paradise!

Eleven wondrous days of travel off the beaten path with world-class rafting on the magical Pacuare River. Through lush tropical rainforests to secluded wilderness lodges and beaches, there’s no better way to explore the unspoiled parts of this precious gem of a nation.

Touching down in the capital, San Jose, we fly directly to world-famous Corcovado National Park and the Cano Island Biological Reserve. Identified by the National Geographic Society as “one of the most biologically intense places on earth”, this area is truly a paradise of tropical wilderness and picture-perfect beaches.

Abundant with spectacular wildlife which includes crocodiles, exotic parrots, toucans, and several species of monkeys, you will enjoy guided hikes by resident naturalists and boat excursions with snorkelling.

Your home for the Corcovado leg will be the spectacular La Paloma Lodge, one of the best regarded eco-lodges in Costa Rica and only a short walk from secluded black-sand beaches and the cool waters of the Agujitas River.

Off to Rafiki Jungle Lodge, inspired by deluxe wildlife lodges of Africa, in the scenic and beautiful Sevegre River Valley. Here, among activities such as hiking with a naturalist, horseback riding, bird and wildlife watching, your first whitewater experience will be a beautiful class 3 paddle down the Savegre River.

This raft should prepare you for the piece de resistance of Costa Rica whitewater rafting: the Pacuare River. Rated one of the top rivers in the world, you’ll enjoy experiencing the rainforest up close, with warm waters, cascading waterfalls, and the spectacularly lush rainforest with its brilliantly coloured plants, animals, and birds – truly a treat for all the senses!

Rest ’n relax at remote eco-lodge, Rios Tropicales, nestled in the rainforest on the banks of the Pacuare River. Here you can appreciate luxury complete with hydro-powered electricity, the model of ecotourism and deluxe accommodations.

To learn more or to BOOK this Central America vacation of a lifetime, visit the Costa Rica Adventure Sport & Travel page.

National Geographic Traveler Magazine Selects our Zambezi trip as 50 Tours of a Life Time – 2009

“Every year, the editorial team combs the world to find the most
authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most
sustainable tours,” notes senior editor Norie Quintos. “This year, we
wanted to make sure that the trips we picked were also a great value,
given the economic climate. What we found is that there is no better
time to go on a guided tour than now as the traditional savings offered
by an outfitter being able to negotiate better rates on a trip’s
components is magnified by cheaper airfares, a strengthened dollar, and
more discounts, freebies, and extras.”


Raft the Zambezi
Jen
Eastwood vividly recalls the exhilaration she felt on this trip after
rafting the mighty Zambezi with its Class IV and V rapids stacked up at
almost one per mile. “We were rounding the bend and started hearing this
music. The people who live on the hill above where our camp was that
night had come down and were singing and dancing in our honor. We pulled
the boats up onto the rocks and joined them.” The outfitter has long
had a stake in Zimbabwe and its people—to the extent of helping local
river guides launch a kayak rental business. Bio Bio Expeditions:
“Zambezi Explorer, Zimbabwe,” 13 days; $3,700.

Report from the Zambezi trip September 2006

Laurence and i were sitting above rapid number 5 on the Zambezi just
last week and realized its been 17 years since we first guided on the
Zambezi and here we are again dropping into the best rapids in the
world. We thanked the Zambezi river god Nyami Nyami for all the safe
passages,we peeled out of the eddy, and dropped into number 5 with huge
smiles! We co-trip lead our September 16th Zambezi trip and lead 22
people down the mighty Zambezi. The trip went off without a hitch and
everyone had a great time.

I realize there has been alot of bad news
coming out of Zimbabwe but the country is still safe as ever, the people
are some of the friendliest and most helpful in the world and this is
still a great time to visit Zimbabwe. Tourism has dropped off because of
all the bad economic news, but there is no resistance movement in
Zimbabwe and the locals are depending more than ever on the tourist
dollar.In fact this is even a better time to go because it is less
crowded and you get more personal service. We have considered moving our
base to Zambia on the other side of the river but for now everything is
still a go in Zimbabwe! In many ways it is like returning home for us
because we have made so many good friends and contacts in Zimbabwe.

Bio
Bio Expeditions along with the help of a few clients brought over a
handful of kayaks and all the necessary gear and started a free kayak
school for any local that wants to learn to kayak. This will provide a
fresh stream of new talented kayakers able to work and provide safety
for future rafting expeditions.

Our trips are planned for
September 2007 and we hope that if you have ever dreamed of rafting and
going on safari in Africa you will join us in 2007!

Warmest regards,
Marc Goddard

Alex Nicks and high water Zambezi

Long time Bio Bio guide Alex Nicks talks about running the Zambezi at record high water, solo! 

Most people will have seen footage of the Zambezi and it’s
famous huge volume pool drop rapids. 
Of the many facets that makes the river so special a significant one is
its variation in flow. Victoria Falls is Approximately mid way through the
2500km course of the Zambezi and with natural flows rising during the rainy
season or ebbing during the dry season. This means that over 12 months the
White Water section below the Falls is always either rising or falling with a
vertical cycle of over 8 metres in some places in the gorge.

The result is that the world famous run occurs at the low
ebb of this cycle but as rains bring it up the upper section (rapids 1-10)
become commercially un-runnable. There are two reasons for this. Mainly because
the pools disappear and the raging, thunderous volume of water causes huge
boils and whirlpools that would swallow rafts and paying clients. Specifically
because the level means that the one portage (rapid no 9) can now no longer be
portaged. Putting in at rapid 1 commits you to a class 5+(++) rapid.

It can however be run by a kayak. And after finding myself
in the Zimbabwe for a shoot it’s too hard to pass up a run on this upper
section. Unfortunately I can’t find any one to go with me. Most of the river
staff are working in other countries as the commercial rafting is closed due to
the level and the locals are perhaps just too wise.

It’s always a dilemma deciding to solo. But sometimes
opportunities like being next to the Zambezi are just too good to pass up,
curiosity outweighs wisdom and I know this section too. So on the 18th
July I put in at rapid one on my own. The Porters who carried my boat in wish
me luck and wander off squabbling over the fist full of Kwatcha notes I’ve
given them.  I know their look,
they can’t quite work out if I’m mad but they’ve seen me here before so are
expectant that they’ll at least earn some more money carrying my boat out of
the gorge at the take out.

These huge flows mean I can’t even see the falls as I push
away from the boiling pot as spray 350ft high drifts though from the cascade to
the head of rapid one. It’s a quick hop across the cushion wave at rapid one
and I’m on my way, buoyed in confidence by the feel of the warm water across my
face and the rainbow formed by the mist from the falls. There are major hurdles
along this run, rapids 5, 7, the narrows at 7and a half, but at every stage of
this run Rapid 9, the commercial portage is at the back of my mind. If getting
there is a challenge, then certainly rapid 9 is the gauntlet.

It’s clichéd, but life is nothing without taking risks and
finding challenges. And none are more valuable than calculated risks based on
years of skill, experience and the odd arse kicking. Today I run Solo but I’m
with everything I ever leaned, I’m carrying all the confidence from years of
paddling with a huge array of paddlers on diverse runs around the world. Today
we’ll find out if that’s worth anything.

To see how it went …watch the footage from my head cam on
the short film ‘Solo’ at

http://www.kayaksession.com/best-short-film-awards-2012.php