The Zambezi is Africa’s fourth largest River
system, after the Nile, Zaire and Niger Rivers.
It runs through six countries on it’s journey
from central Africa to the Indian Ocean. Its
unique value is that it is less developed than
others in terms of human settlement and many
areas along it’s banks enjoy protected status.
It's power has carved the spectacular Victoria
Falls and the zigzagging Batoka Gorge.
The Zambezi has been harnessed at various points
along the way including the massive
Kariba Dam between Zambia and Zimbabwe and
Cabora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Plans for
another dam at the Batoka gorge have fortunately
been shelved.
The River’s beauty has attracted tourists from
all over the world providing opportunities for a
myriad of water sports and game viewing.
Running for a length of 2700kms, it begins it’s
journey as an insignificant little spring in the
corner of north-west Zambia in the Mwinilunga
District. It bubbles up between the roots of a
tree, very close to the border where Zambia,
Angola and Zaire meet.
It enters Angola for about 230kms, where it
accumulates the bulk of its headwater drainage,
and re-enters Zambia again at Cholwezi rapids
flowing due south but substantially enlarged by
the entry of various tributaries.
It
passes through the flat sandy country of the
Western Province, then traverses the broad,
annually flooding Barotse Plains, where much of
the water is lost to evaporation, then over more
rocky country where it’s tranquil course is
interrupted by the Ngonye falls and rapids.
This upper part of the river is thinly populated
by pastoralists, farmers and fishermen and
although wildlife is sparse it is remarkably
free of pollution. This is also the scene of the
remarkable
Ku-omboka
Ceremony where thousands of
inhabitants move annually to higher ground as
the Zambezi floods into the low lying plains.
As
it turns to an easterly direction it forms the
border between Zambia and Namibia and eventually
joins up with the Chobe River in the Caprivi
Swamps, briefly forming a border with Botswana.
For the next 500kms it serves as the border
between Zambia and Zimbabwe thundering over the
Victoria Falls and through the narrow,
steadily deepening Batoka Gorge which flattens
out at the broad Gwembe Valley.
From here it flows into the
Kariba dam for 281kms - it’s width at one
point being 40kms. From the dam wall the river
travels due north, heading east again at
Chirundu.
Here it is flanked by the
Lower Zambezi National Park on the Zambian
side and Mana Pools National Park on the
Zimbabwean side. This middle zone supports one
of Africa’s most important wilderness areas.
After the Luangwa confluence, it’s a much larger
Zambezi that flows into Mozambique and out
towards the Indian Ocean, having provided power,
food, pleasure and transport for many and a home
for untold numbers of wildlife along it’s
journey.
These companies operate Adventure Activities on
the Zambezi
Abseil Zambia, Abseiling the sheer
gorges of Victoria Falls
African Extreme Bungi Jumping,
Victoria Falls Bridge
Bundu Adventures, Rafting,
Canoeing, River Boarding on the Zambezi River
Raft Extreme Rafting, Riverboarding
and Tandem Kayaking below the Victoria Falls
Karibu Safaris, Canoeing safaris along
the Lower Zambezi
Kiambe Safaris
- run canoeing Safaris on the Lower Zambezi
River
The Zambezi Swing, Gorge Swings and
cliff jumps
River
Horse Safaris - The Zambezi Canoe Company.
Specialists in multi-day canoe safaris on the
Lower Zambezi
Global Descents offers an amazing
multi-day river trip on the mighty Zambezi!
Putting in below Vic falls this expedition
offers incredible food, camping, wildlife, and
whitewater. Get away from it all on one of the 4
or 6 day excursions. These small group trips are
done in September and October when the water of
the Zambezi is at the perfect level.
For accommodation on the Zambezi try:
Lower Zambezi National Park area
Victoria Falls area
Accommodation at Lake Kariba
THE
ZAMBEZI
RIVER
