Zambezi
From Wikipaddle
| Zambezi | |
| Grade | 1 to 5++ |
| Distance | Total Length 2,574 km (1,599 mi) |
| Time | Multiple |
| Location | |
| Country | Zimbabwe, Zambia, Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique |
| Lat | -17.92785080155613 |
| Lon | 25.85906318871191 |
| Directions, Google earth | |
Contents |
Victoria Falls - Lower Moemba Falls Section
Description
The Victoria Falls to Lower Moemba Falls section of the Zambezi begins from the base of Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe/Zambia border. The closest major towns are Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and Livingstone (Zambia), both just a few miles from the put-in. This section is classified as a high volume pool drop river. The river comprises of very large rapids followed by sections of flat or slow moving water. Although it has few exposed rocks on most rapids, sheer river volume, heat, waves and hydraulics present distinct challenges in themselves. The rapids in this section of the Zambezi are usually referred to by numbers (1 through 25) rather than names. The section above Number 1 at the base of Victoria Falls is often referred to as the "Minus Rapids". The river is variously classified as Grade IV/V++(4/5++) depending on rapid and season (due to varying water levels). This level of river has been described as "extremely difficult, long and violent rapids, steep gradients, big drops and pressure areas." The river drops approximately 400 feet over the 25km distance oftain covered in a one-day trip. The river flows through a gorge with steep sides necessitating a 750-foot climb to the top of the gorge at either rapid 13 or rapid 25 when taking out. A number of rafting companies offer trips on the Zambezi from the Zimbabwe and Zambian sides of the river. There is also 'jet-boat' trips run from a number of points on the river that drive up certain rapids.
Geography
This section of the Zambezi begins from the base of Victoria Falls where a geopgraphic fault now causes the previously slow moving and wide river to fall 108 m (360 ft) into a fast moving volumnous river which flows through the tight Songwe gorge. The river forms the border between Zimbabwe (river right side) and Zambia (river left side). This section is fed by a huge river basin; rainy season brings a rapid increase in water levels and changes in the lines followed down rapids. Low water levels are experienced around September/Early October.
Rapid Names
The rapids on this section of the Zambezi are often referred to by the following names.
- Number 1 - The Boiling Pot
- Number 2 - Between Two Worlds
- Number 3 - Rapid Number 3
- Number 4 - Morning Glory
- Number 5 - Stairway to Heaven
- Number 6 - Devils Toilet Bowl
- Number 7 - Gullivers Travels
- Number 8 - The Midnight Diner
- Number 9 - Commercial Suicide or just 'Number 9' due to its infamy as a very difficult rapid. Rafting companies portage this rapid.
- Number 10 - Rapid Number 10
- Number 11 - Overland Engine Eater
- Number 12 - Rapid Number 12/12B
- Number 13 - The Mother - Normal take out point for most day long kayaking trips
- Number 14 - The Wrestling Hole
- Number 15 - The Washing Machine
- Number 16-17 - Referred to by Number
- Number 18 - Oblivion
- Number 19-25 Referred to by Number - Normal take out point for most day long raft trips
- Open Season
- Narrows
- Chimamba Falls
- Upper Moemba Falls - Normal take out point for most multi-day raft/kayak groups from *Livingstone/Victoria Falls
- Moemba Falls
Wildlife
There is a lot of bird life in this section of the river. Fishing for Zambezi perch is undertaken by locals. Crocodiles have been seen in certain lower parts of the river however due to the fast moving water it is not their preferred habitat. A large national park exists between Livingstone and Victoria Falls and includes elephants, giraffe, warthogs, wildebeast, buffalo and rhino to name but a few.
Visas and Permits
No permits needed to paddle the river however since the put in at 'The Boiling Pot' (Number 1) is within a national park, you must pay a small entry fee each time.
Zambian visa's can be purchased on arrival for most nationalities. If you have pre-arranged accomodation in Livingstone, they can often put your name on a visa waiver list so you can avoid payment. Citizens of the Rep of Ireland, Romania, Yugoslavia and Commonwealth Members (but excluding the UK, Canada, Australia and India) do not have to pay for a visa.
Zimbabwean visa's must be purchased at the border to cross into Zimbabwe.
Casual crossing of the border whilst running the river e.g for portage at Number9 or inspection at Number4 seems to be acceptable. The river constitutes the border however its not recommended that you attempt to illegally enter Zimbabwe or Zambia via the river.
Accessibility
Via Lusaka (Zambia) Fly to Lusaka, Zambia (expect to pay a 25 US $ visa at the airport). Take a taxi to the bus station, and jump in a bus to Livingstone (500 km, 10 US $). Any kind of buses available, they leave every hour. They'll take your boat no problem, putting it on the roof with the goats...
Via Livingstone (Zambia) Daily flights to Johannesburg (Nationwide Airlines, South African Airways, British Airways (Comair)) and Lusaka (Zambian Airlines) are provided. The airport is located a few miles south of Livingstone Aiport. Transportation to Livingstone can be arranged locally on arrival or preferably with your accomodation provider in advance. Airlines at Livingstone are relatively paddler friendly but weight limits can be expensively enforced.
Via Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) Daily flights to Johannesburg (South African Airways) and Harare (Air Zimbabwe). Transport to area hotels would preferably be arranged in advance.
