8:00am - 17:00PM
For all the brave souls out there, here is an activity for you. River Boarding Victoria Falls is an activity that is not for the faint hearted, not for the ones who shy away from adventure but it’s a dream come true for the adrenaline junkies. Originally started as a means of rescue, it is the latest innovation in adrenaline sports during Victoria Falls Tours. Like rafting but without the raft, River Boarding is a three-dimensional white water experience.
Swim the Middle Zambezi River rapids and surf the waves, armed with nothing more than an oversized body board, wetsuit, and flippers. River Boarding Victoria Falls is the most fun you can have on your stomach! Trips combine rafting and river boarding so that you can safely navigate the flat water sections and the few rapids that are considered unsafe for river borders.
Ready for River Boarding Victoria Falls with Falcon Safaris ?
River Boarding is the most recent advancement in adrenaline sports. It’s very exciting and is now a new addition to the list of must do Victoria Falls Activities. It provides a thrilling white water experience similar to rafting but without the raft. You will be swimming or surfing the Zambezi River rapids on an oversized body board, in a wetsuit and flippers. For safety, you will have a life jacket and a helmet on.
The Activity Of River boarding is usually combined with White Water Rafting for double the fun and double the experience. The rafting takes place in the bigger rapids whilst the river boarding takes place on the smaller rapids of the river. In these small sections, you will get a chance to play around, swim, surf the river, ride the whirlpools and get on a river board.
Just like with rafting, safety is also very important when it comes to river boarding. Although it is generally safer than rafting because of the low waters there is still need to take precautions. You will be given a helmet, a life jacket and you will have highly skilled and experienced guides with you who have been trained and will be there every step of the way.
River Boarding, like rafting, offers half-day and full-day trips and the times depend on the season in which you travel.
High water trips start in mid-January and last until August. They begin at 8:30 a.m. from rapids 14 to 25, and then at 15:30 p.m. from rapids 10 to 25.
(August to January), half-day trips have different times
Full-day excursions run from 7:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m.
Overnight options are only available on request.
You can do this activity both in Zimbabwe and in Zambia. The only difference between the 2 countries is that, in Zambia, there is a cable car that takes you out of the Batoka Gorge unlike Zimbabwe where you have to hike instead.
The Zambezi River is a 'grade 5' stretch of water, which means it's fast flowing and difficult to navigate, with long and fast-moving rapids, steep gradients, big drops, and a plethora of pressure areas. This makes it more fun and your instructor is familiar with the area and will advise you to alternate between river boarding and rafting depending on the river conditions.
A typical day will look something like this:
Begin your day with a hotel pickup from Victoria Falls and then travel to the Zambezi River's nearby banks. You meet your instructor and enjoy a hot drink and a biscuit while discussing the day ahead, safety and all. You then follow your instructor down the steep trail to Batoka Gorge, just below the Victoria Falls stretch of waterfalls and start your adventure.
The River Boarding activity includes transfers from and back to your Hotel or lodge. For the morning session you will be provided with a hot drink, teas and biscuits or a light snack. You will also be given river boarding equipment as well as rafting equipment. You will also be given professional guides that will be with you throughout the day and at the end of the day lunch will be served.
NB: Please note that some offers like the snacks and teas before the trip depend on the service provider but definitely lunch is guaranteed.
You must cancel at least 24 hours before the start time of the experience to receive a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time of the experience, you will not be refunded. Any changes made less than 24 hours before the start time of the experience will not be accepted. The cut-off times are determined by the experience's local time.
In the above, you will get out of the raft and play around - surf the river, ride the whirl pools and squirt. River Boarding Victoria Falls is a very good activity to try out if you are up for the adventure during Victoria Falls Tour.
Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
Where: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Things to Bring: National Park Fee (River Usage Fee) in cash A way to secure glasses to yourself or they will be lost Sunscreen and lip balm (guides will have dry bag for this) A peak cap that will fit comfortably under your helmet. Bring as little as possible.
Weather: Weather permitting
What to Wear: Swimsuit and shorts/cycling shorts but nothing that water will suck away T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt for sun protection Sturdy shoes/trainers or rafting shoes. Your shoes must be securely fitted to your feet (i.e. no flip-flops) or they will be lost! Wet Suits will be provided in the winter months.
Inclusions A heart racing, eye widening, mind blowing River Boarding trip on Victoria Falls, transfers from/to Victoria Falls Town, gear, & lunch.
Exclusions National Park Fees (to be settled directly upon check-in), Visa fees (if applicable) & Items of a personal nature
Minimum Age 15 years
Fitness Level No Fitness Requirement
Qualifications Not Applicable
Maximum Weight 140.0 kg
Certification None Required
Experience Level None Experience
Late June to early December is considered to be the best Season for river boarding.
River boarding is also similar to rafting but without a boat. It’s a solo adventure, while for rafting you need to join a group.
15 years. The minimum age limit for river boarding is 15 years. The river boarding area generally performs when the river is running on full water.
There are mainly two seasons that are suitable for river boarding. One is in the months of early January to the end of July. Another one is from August to early January.
The items that you need to bring with you are comfortable hiking shoes, wool socks, sunscreen, and a waterproof camera. If you are going in the rainy or cold season make sure to carry a swimsuit.
We'd be delighted to help you with any questions you have about properties & safaris. Please fill in the form below so that we can help you create your perfect safari holiday.
Feel free to give us a call or send us an e-mail:
With decades of expertise, we're your trusted safari guides, ensuring every moment exceeds your expectations.
Tailored to your preferences, our African Safaris guarantee an adventure perfectly suited to your desires.
Our enduring partnerships across Africa provide exclusive access and authentic experiences.
Leave your worries behind and accept carefree travel with Falcon Safaris, where every detail is handled to perfection.
We travelled with Falcon Safaris in Zimbabwe and Botswana for 16 days. Falcon designed a wonderful trip with private guide to the most interesting sites in both countries. The organization of the whole trip was excellent, flights within the country, accommodation and activites. The guides were very knowledgable and told us a lot about the countries, their history, people, economy and much more. We visited the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the Victoria Falls Tour and a number of national parks in both countries.
Rhino tracking was a real adventure! We had tremendous further game drives and saw very many animals - we did the Big Five. We had much more Victoria Falls Activities than planned and enjoyed very much.We strongly recommend Falcon Safaris to everyone planning a trip to Southern Africa and East Africa.
Our Consultant Vimbai was very helpful and accommodating. We stayed at the Elephant hills hotel which was nothing short of amazing.Our activities included a helicopter flight, dinner cruise as well as a morning game drive. All the activities were absolutely amazing.
We worked with Gertrude to schedule and organize everything and she did an excellent job. I asked a lot of questions via e-mail and she answered everyone in a timely helpful manner. Our guide at Victoria Falls was also great. He met us at the airport, provided a thoughtful tour of the Falls and got us to our next guide in Botswana. Our lodgings at River View Lodge were just as described- very comfortable and excellent food. All the staff were so pleasant and helpful. If I had to do it again I would arrange a morning boat ride as well. We only did the sunset boat rides and they were the high point of our entire trip- we saw so many animals and our guide was very knowledgeable. Just a great experience. Our lodgings at Oddball's Enclave was rustic and we loved it. So great to disconnect from the world for a bit. Leo, our guide, was the best - got us out and about, saw fantastic wildlife and got back to camp safely each time. Doc manages the camp so well. This whole trip was planned and organized by Falcon Safaris and we could not have been happier.
Falcon safaris have given my the correct advice with excellent service. The only suggestion will be to work closer with the lodges to confirm bookings as soon as possible. We have booked and pay our deposit a year in advance. We have only receive our final convermation from Chobe Safari lodge a week before departure. I do realize its not within your controle but with limit alternatives and a group of 14 people it becomes an issue to find alternative accomodation if the booking was cancelled.
We love Africa's diversity and create amazing trips for you. With 30+ years of experience, we customize every trip just for you.