Tonight, you will set off for your much anticipated journey out to Africa. You will meet the rest of the group of paddlers at the airport, before the team sets off on an indirect flight to Victoria Falls or Livingstone aiport.
Catch a first glimpse of the setting for your challenge as you take a short transfer from the airport to your hotel, situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi. You will fly into either Livingstone Airport, Zambia or Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe. A full briefing – including the all-important safety information will take place in the late afternoon. Spend the late afternoon relaxing or exploring the surroundings. Dinner will be taken in the lodge, before retiring to your chalets ahead of our adventure. (D)
Accommodation: Hotel
An early start and a drive upriver to the challenges put in at Katombora village. There’s a full safety briefing before you begin your kayaking on flatter waters, the river becomes more braded and challenging as the day progresses. Look out for wildlife as you pass alongside a deeply forested national park on the Zimbabwean side. After approximately 23km we will arrive at our campsite in Mandia village. The group will help to set up camp and help with cooking. Before sunset you can take a short walk around the village, observe village life, and meet the locals. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Camping
The morning will be spent negotiating the braided river, which opens out, then breaks into narrower channels. Look out for crocodiles along the way here! Tonight’s camp is located near an area densely populated by hippos and elephants so extra care must be taken – it could be a noisy night! (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Camping
Today we will switch from our kayaks to larger rafts. The route becomes trickier and the wildlife more concentrated as we approach the Falls surrounded by spray. 70 km of the upper Zambezi completed, tonight’s campsite is situated on a ridge overlooking the falls – the perfect viewing spot for the next section of the challenge. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Camping
Descending steeply into the gorge, you'll take to your rafts for the final challenge: two days of white-water rafting. The Zambezi River in the Batoka Gorge has numerous grade 5 rapids. Today 25km of white-water rafting takes us to the campsite on the beach below rapid #25. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Camping
An early start will see you raft rapid #25 to the Dam site, approximately 27km of rafting. You will complete your challenge by naviagting the last grade 5 rapid - Ghostrider! After completing over 100km on the water, you will hike out of the gorge. After the hike out, you will take a vehicle transfer back to the lodge for a well-earned sundowner. The evening will be spent enjoying a celebratory team meal and checking out Livingstone’s nightlife. (B,L,D)
Accommodation: Hotel
After a leisurely start it’s off to Victoria Falls for a guided tour. The rest of the day gives you time to partake in the many optional activities available in Livingstone, these include walking safaris, Livingstone Island/Devils pool tour, helicopter and microlight scenic flights, game drives, sunset cruises and more. Alternatively hang out at the lodge and take it easy. (B,L,D)
Please note that towards the end of the dry season when the river is low, there is significantly less water but this is more than compensated by the natural scenic beauty which is revealed by the lack of spray.
Accommodation: Hotel
After breakfast, you will be departing for the airport for your overnight flight home. Take the time to rest those aching limbs and reflect on this once-in-a-lifetime expedition. (B)
Touching down in the UK, it may be harder than you expected to say goodbye to all your team mates. Be sure to swap details before heading home to share stories with family and friends.
BELIEVE >> ACHIEVE >> INSPIRE
We hold an Air Travel Organiser's Licence granted by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6546. Many of the flight-inclusive challenges on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. But ATOL protection does not apply to all holiday and travel services listed on this website. This ATOL protection only covers challenges that include flights booked by Charity Challenge and that originate in the UK. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/ATOLcertificate
