River Boarding Victoria Falls

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 ?

What on earth is River Boarding ?

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 River Boarding Experience

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.

Is River Boarding in Victoria Falls safe ?

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.

What Time Is The Activity ?

River Boarding, like rafting, offers half-day and full-day trips and the times depend on the season in which you travel.

High water season :-

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.

Low water season :-

(August to January), half-day trips have different times

• From rapids 1 to 10, the time is 7:30 to 14:00
• From rapids number 10 to 25 (afternoon trip) the time is 10:15 to 17:30.

Full-day excursions run from 7:30 a.m. to 17:30 p.m.

Overnight options are only available on request.

Where can you do the activity ?

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.

Which Sections Of The Zambezi River Will You River Board ?

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.

What to expect ?

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.

What Do You Need To Bring ?

• It is recommended you know how to swim to do this, or at least be brave enough to face the water
• Pack enough sunscreen
• Also you must have a reasonable level of fitness as it is quite the exercise.
• Bring a comfortable T-shirt, shorts and swimwear.
• Light and comfortable shoes that don’t slip off your feet.
• National Park fee (river usage fee ) will be needed and will be collected in person
• Tipping is not a must and should be if you wish to do so

What is Included ?

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.

Policy on Cancellation

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.