White Water Rafting and Kayaking in Africa
Southern Africa boasts a vast collection of powerful rivers featuring a range of exciting white waters ranging from grade one to grade five. South Africa is by far the most popular location for adventure tourists to come, with its waters ranging from gentle yet beautiful to exciting and a little dangerous.
Rafting on the mighty Zambezi or the electrifying Batoka Gorge is a highlight of any adventure lover’s trip to Africa, while the lovely Kunene River between Namibia and Angola and Malawi’s fabulous lake offer more serene kayaking trips where the wildlife is plentiful.
Orange River, South Africa Featuring some excellent rapids and beautiful scenery, the Orange River forms a long natural oasis through the mountainous Richtersveld desert area. The most popular of all of South Africa’s rivers, some of its tributaries also offer exciting adventures.
Tugela, South Africa Located in the center of Zulu country, the forceful Tugela offers spine tingling rapids with scary names such as Four Man Hole and Horrible Horace. Eight or two man rafts carry adventurous souls over the river between the months of October and April.
Vaal River, South Africa Situated a short drive away from Johannesburg, the Vaal River offers ideal one day rafting suitable for families including children from the age of six. This relatively relaxed rafting adventure features plentiful birdlife as well as some exhilarating rapids.
Palmiet River, South Africa Running through the Kogelberg Nature Reserve, the mighty Palmiet River offers kayaking and white water rafting amongst other activities. A one day kayaking adventure features technical rapids and incredible scenery and sometimes finishes off with a visit to a local winery.
Great Usutu River, Swaziland Although this frothing river offers exciting white water for most of the year, it is best enjoyed in the summer months when the river swells and the rapids are all the more hair raising.
Kunene River, Namibia and Angola Located on the border between Namibia and Angola, the stunning Kunene River boasts some beautiful scenery and an abundance of wild birdlife. Visitors can enjoy trips of between one and four days on ungraded rapids.
Zambezi River, Zimbabwe and Zambia Running along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, the magnificent Zambezi offers a challenge to lovers of adventure. Offering kayaking and rafting in warm waters, the Zambezi is home to some of the world’s greatest - and strongest - rapids.
Batoka Gorge, Zimbabwe Located below Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, the Batoka rapids are not for the faint of heart. This high volume pool drop river offers grade five technical violent rapids as well as precipitous gradients, vertical drops and areas of pressure.
Lake Malawi, Malawi As the world’s ninth largest lake, Lake Malawi straddles the border between Malawi and Mozambique. Kayaking it is a wonderful way to enjoy the diversity of wildlife and incredible scenery, while the snorkeling and diving here is also outstanding.
Swakopmund, Namibia A four-hour drive from capital city, Windhoek, Swakopmund is a charming little tourist town which offers lovely relaxing bird watching kayaking trips upon its blue lagoon. It also makes a great base for visiting the Skeleton Coast and Cape Cross seal colony.