Introduction:

Shearwater pioneered commercial white water rafting trips in the Batoka Gorge below the Victoria Falls in 1985. Since then Shearwater has safely taken over 300, 000 passengers on this, now world famous, rafting adventure. Shearwater's Raft trips are considered the best in the world in terms of the spectacular rapids, warm water, beautiful scenery and world class guiding standards. The river itself is of a "pool drop" nature, meaning that large rapids are followed by calmer stretches of water.

Shearwater is the recognised market leaders for the Zambezi River Rafting. This reputation has been established on the following basis.

• Shearwater pioneered white water rafting in Zimbabwe, commercial operations were established in 1985.
• Shearwater is by far the most popular rafting company on the Zambezi River.
• Shearwater has led the industry in terms of guiding standards, a commitment to training and safety, and the improvement of standards.

Our mission statement is to provide the best possible Zambezi rafting experience.

Area, location and wildlife:

At Victoria Falls the Zambezi River plummets into a Basalt gorge which separates the placid river above the Falls and the turbulent rapids below. The gorge is over 100 metres deep at the Falls and increases to over 200 metres by the end of a full day raft trip. Despite this rugged terrain, the gorges below the Falls are thick with vegetation with dozens of indigenous species of trees and bushes. The gorges are home to several species of mammal such as baboons and klipspringer. For the birding enthusiasts many species frequent the gorges, of particular interest are the Black Eagle and the rare Taita Falcon. On multi-days hippos and crocodiles may be seen.

Activities:

The following is a summary of the products offered by Shearwater Rafting:

All the above trips are influenced by water levels and it is important that people are aware of the seasonal nature of these products.

Age Limits

• Minimum:

  Minimum age - 15 years (Proof of age may be requested).

• Maximum:

  There is no maximum age limit, however Shearwater retains the right to refuse to take a client who is clearly going to be unable to cope with the rigors of rafting or river boarding.

Booking restrictions

Minimum number of passengers:

• All Rafting Trips - 1 passenger


• Private Trips - 20 passengers


• River Boarding Trips - 2 passengers


• Overnights - 4 passengers

Shuttle Service

Shearwater operates a courtesy shuttle service, please confirm your pick up time from the Shearwater Reservations Department.

Airport Transfers

Airport transfers can be arranged on request and should be booked and paid for at Check-In.

Transport to/from the river

Transport to and from the river is provided by Shearwater in fully enclosed buses.

Client Suitability

Rafting is suitable for all clients. The ability to swim is not essential, however non-swimmers should inform the Trip Leader at the briefing.

River Boarding is only suitable for clients who are fit and healthy, strong swimmers and will be able to understand instructions in English.

Briefing

Clients should meet outside the Wild Thing Action Bar at the following times:

High Water and Low Water full day run meeting 0745hrs.

• Low Water morning run meeting time 0745hrs.


• Low Water afternoon meeting time 1100hrs.

General

Shearwater representatives will meet clients outside the Wild Thing Action Bar for a pre rafting briefing. Vouchers will be collected from clients and they will be required to sign an indemnity form.

The briefing will cover the following points.

• Conditions of the river and rapids;
• The grading systems of the rapids;
• Lunch;
• The climb in and out of the gorge;
• Medical conditions of clients. Diabetics and asthmatics should have own medication;
• Clothing; Special emphasis on strong footwear, but not boots;
• Groups wishing to raft in the same boat;
• Valuables; All clients are advised to leave passports and jewellery in their Hotels. Lock-up boxes are supplied by Shearwater. Clients may use these at their own risk.

Shearwater supplies

All rafting and river boarding clients are issued with an adjustable buoyancy aid and helmet at the beginning of the trip. String is available for tying on sunglasses and paddles are given to those rafting clients who will be "paddle boating". Wet suit tops are available for rafting clients during the colder months.

River Boarders will aslo be issued with flippers, a river board and a wet suit.

• All rafting equipment
• 16 Ft Avon and African River Craft rafts
• Helmets
• Americas Cup life-jackets
• Radios
• Safety Kayakers
• Full time safety officer
• Guides with comprehensive First Aid knowledge
• First Aid kits
• Wetsuit tops in cold weather
• In-depth safety talk
• Lunch
• Beer and cold drinks at the end of the trip.

• Swimming costume
• Shorts and T-shirt or similar
• Rafting sandals or running shoes or similar shoes (with laces)
• Hat (baseball hat to fit under helmet)
• Sunscreen lotion
• Spectacles/sunglasses to be fitted with appropriate straps, if they are not - string is provided at check in. Contact lenses are not recommended as they can get washed-out, however there is no danger to wearing contact lenses and the choice is yours.
• Additional clothes left for safe keeping will be available at the top of the gorge at the end of the days rafting.
• All valuables, jewellery and passports must be left at the hotel for safekeeping. Shearwater provides a safekeeping facility at check-in, where valuables may be left at owners risk.
• For any overnight / multi-day trips clients should be advised to bring warm clothing during the cold months (June - August)

Safety Talk

A detailed safety talk will be given by one of the oarsmen before the trip starts. He explains what to do if the raft flips, how to help each other out of the water and what conditions to expect. He always gives the worst case scenario so that people know what to expect and, therefore, have the choice to forego their trip after the safety talk. Clients are then assigned to an oarsman. Once in the raft, they are told by their oarsman what to do as they go through the rapids. Some practice is done before the trip starts. Before each rapid the customer will be given a detailed description of the rapid and how the raft is expected to react so that each client will know what to anticipate. Photo on the right The safety talk....

Walk-In Walk out

The walk in and out of the gorge are steep and rocky. The walk-out is the equivalent of climbing a 70 story building. Clients will carry their buoyancy aids and helmets. All other rafting equipment is carried by porters. There are plenty of places to rest on the way up and there is a refreshment stop at the half way point. At the top of the gorge cold beers, soft drinks and water is available at the end of your day.

Oar Boat/Paddle Boat

At certain water levels clients are given the option between an "oar boat" and a "paddle boat". An "oar boat" is controlled and maneuvered by the guide using oars from the middle of the raft. Clients are seated in the fornt and rear of the raft and hold onto the safety line around the perimeter of the raft. A "paddle boat" requires the clients to actively assist in maneuvering the raft through the rapids and calm stretches. Clients are seated around the perimeter of the boat and use paddles but do not hold onto the safety line. Photo on the left A paddle boat!

Health / First aid

The Zambezi River is not considered a health risk. Malaria, however, is a risk and clients must take a course of anti-malaria pills before, during and after their visit to Victoria Falls. Deltaprim and Paludrine are recommended but please contact your doctor for advice. A first aid kit is carried at all times. All guides are first-aid trained and most have completed advanced trauma courses. Anyone signing the indemnity that has certain ailments or illness needs to sign a separate indemnity form so guides know what they are dealing with in emergencies.

Medical Air Rescue Services (MARS)

MARS have personnel located in Victoria Falls and Shearwater is registered with this organisation. Radios are carried on the rafting trips and in the event that a customer needs to be evacuated a helicopter will be called in by radio and the client taken to a hospital.

Communication

A radio is carried on every Shearwater trip, enabling us to have radio communication with our rafting base and MARS.

Videos and photos Videos & photos are taken on all Full Day and Half Day rafting trips. This can be arranged on request, depending on passenger volumes, for Multi-Day trips and river boarding trips. All videos and photos are displayed at the Wild Thing Action Bar in the evening and can be ordered and purchased from the sales desk at the restaurant. Photo on the right Riding the waves!

Contact Zimbabwe Sun Hotels for all your accommodation needs.

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