Friday, January 30, 2009

Experience of White Water Rafting in Zambia

By David Hughes

Zambia, home to Victoria Falls (which is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World) is an amazingly beautiful and diverse country. The local people of this country are very hospitable and welcoming, which makes you feel right at home as soon as you land in Livingstone, the cornerstone of adventure vacations in Zambia. This country boasts of having the best white water rafting locations on earth, and also allows you to white water raft right underneath Victoria Falls.

The Zambezi is a famous white water river that has an outstanding repute, with over fifty thousand people visiting every year to experience the adrenaline rush of rafting on this stretch of water. White water rafting on the Zambezi River also allows you to experience the best scenery in Africa. With lovely sunsets and beautiful views of Victoria Falls at the beginning of your journey, you will always be in awe of the spectacular panoramas during your entire experience.

Every one's tour differs, but the possibility is that your days will be filled with rapids like "Oblivion" and "Stairway to Heaven", and your nights with camping on pristine white sandy beaches with a drink in your hand and taking in the sounds of the African wildlife, which are tremendously high. Most tour operators offer several different travel packages. Though, almost all of these packages offer warm white water, beautiful beaches for camping, luxurious lodges, and helicopter rides on the way back. In a country that boasts this much opportunities, you're likely to start having fun the moment you hit the tarmac.

The trip can either be for a few days, which will be fully catered for you, or only day trips that are comparatively faster and reasonably priced. You can decide between a fully luxurious trip where every meal is gourmet-standard, to a basic package where meals are not provided. Each package is tailored according to your requirements and former experience in white water rafting.

Longer trips comprising of seven days or more also have options for resting along the route, where you get accommodation in luxurious lodges with five-star service. During this break you can not only clean up, change and relax, but can also make use of the opportunity to take in a wildlife safari on a day off from the rapids. These trips will obviously cost you more than your basic two- or three-day white water rafting trips, but is truly worth the money, especially if you want to go on a safari but are not interested in booking two different trips for both activities.

The tour operator will inform you of the meals you will be provided with prior to your arrival. However, in most cases drinking water along with breakfast is provided. Most operators also provide lunch. It is recommended to keep a credit card with you for any unplanned purchases you may come across on certain stop points on your way to your destination. During the whole trip, tour operators also take pictures of your experience, which you can purchase from them later on.

As this type of holiday requires you to be fit and healthy during your entire trip, it is advised that you get all your vaccinations, as well as a fitness test (or approval from your doctor) before participating in such activities. The majority of tour operators do not allow people under the age of fifteen to participate in these activities but as there is no upper age criterion, the tour operators require everybody participating in such activities to be reasonably healthy and fit.

Regardless of the amount of money you spend on your Zambian vacation, the memory of white water rafting on some of the most amazing stretches of water will forever remain with you, along with the stunning sceneries you will enjoy during your trip.

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