White water rafting is always guaranteed for excitement and an adrenaline rush, but is still suitable for almost everyone. Before each rafting session, you get comprehensive instructions on how and what to do in the water. First, an explanation is given about the equipment you need, such as water helmet and vest. Then you get in the rafting boat and in gentle water the guide will show you how to row and teach you the commands that he will be giving you. Then the tour begins and soon the first rapid comes in sight, fortunately still one of a low class. Each rapid gets put in a class, with rapid 1 being relatively peaceful and above rapid 6 being so strong that you need to walk around the water over land, because these should be taken only by very experienced rafters. Delicious is the adrenaline shot that you already get from the first rapid and there is still so much more to come. A trip usually lasts a whole day (you will depart from your hotel in the morning and return in the late afternoon) with a pause in between for a nice and relaxing picnic lunch. For real rafting lovers and addicts we can also offer several multi-day tours. There are some excellent rafting opportunities in Kenya and Uganda, and another top location for white water rafting is the Zambezi river (Zimbabwe). It is also possible to book this in combination with South Africa.
You depart Nairobi around 0800 hrs. It is an hour and a half drive to the campsite near Sagana. On arrival you can enjoy some tea or coffee with biscuits. You will then be given a safety briefing after which you are transported up the river to where you will be provided with life jackets, helmets and a paddle. The trip will take from four to five hours depending on the water levels. The Tana River is a drop pool river offering an exciting day of white water rafting. The adventure starts with a 3 km stretch of easy class II and III white water, where there is plenty of opportunity to practice the paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river. A 6 km section follows with an hour or so of relaxation to view the abundance of bird life and cool off in the water. The final 7 km of river back to the campsite starts with some easy class III waters where paddle commands are practised again. It is now time for the 3 big rapids (class IV and V) with names like Captains Folly, Can of Worms (taking its name from its four 90 degree bends in succession) and Sphincter Flexor. Subject to water levels we may be able to do some surfing in "fish eye" and then swim the next couple of smaller rapids. Numerous smaller rapids bring you on to the last big one - Spasm - a series of drops over ¾ km with a big surprise half way through. We reach the end point about 4 to 5 hours after setting off, where a full barbeque lunch awaits you.
You depart Nairobi around 0800 hrs. It is an hour and a half drive to the campsite near Sagana. On arrival you can enjoy some tea or coffee with biscuits. You will then be given a safety briefing after which you are transported up the river to where you will be provided with life jackets, helmets and a paddle. The trip will take from four to five hours depending on the water levels. The Tana River is a drop pool river offering an exciting day of white water rafting. The adventure starts with a 3 km stretch of easy class II and III white water, where there is plenty of opportunity to practice the paddle skills required to run the lower part of the river. A 6 km section follows with an hour or so of relaxation to view the abundance of bird life and cool off in the water. The final 7 km of river back to the campsite starts with some easy class III waters where paddle commands are practised again. It is now time for the 3 big rapids (class IV and V) with names like Captains Folly, Can of Worms (taking its name from its four 90 degree bends in succession) and Sphincter Flexor. Subject to water levels we may be able to do some surfing in "fish eye" and then swim the next couple of smaller rapids. Numerous smaller rapids bring you on to the last big one - Spasm - a series of drops over ¾ km with a big surprise half way through. We reach the end point about 4 to 5 hours after setting off, where a full barbeque lunch awaits you.
The Zambezi (at the Victoria Falls on the border with Zambia) is an amazing location for white water rafting. We can offer several options, from a half day to full day tours and even up to tours of 5 days. Although the rapids are of a high category, no experience is required. The Zambezi River is the wildest river in the world suitable for white water rafting as an amateur, and also the top kayaking enthusiasts identify the river as one of the hotspots. If you feel attracted to names like the "Stairway to Heaven" and "Oblivion" then you should definitely try these rapids! At the Oblivion 3 currents come together, causing a huge rapid. The third wave causes more flips (turning of the raft) than any other rapid in the world. Only 1 in 4 attempts make it dry across! The rafting trip goes through 25 rapids, of which 11 Class 5 (the highest possible for non-professional rafters). The higher classes (including rapid number 9) will not be done because these are too dangerous.
The best time to go rafting in South Africa is between November and May. The Tugela river offers the most spectacular white-water rafting opportunities in South Africa. South Africa is one of the few destinations in the world that with so many clean rivers, lakes and dams. With this in mind, it is not surprising that white-water rafting and canoeing are popular ways to enjoy the nature. The 30km long trip on the Tugela River offers a lot of fun and is an exciting rafting trip. The South African leg of the Camel White Water Challenge was held on the Tugela and the location got excellent reviews from both participants and organizers. A wide range of rafting packages is available - from half a day to four days on the River. Both one-man kayaks and rafting boats for eight people are used on the river. The river begins in the Drakensberge, after which it goes straight through KwaZulu-Natal before it runs into the Indian Ocean.
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