Zambezi River · Batoka Gorge
White-Water Rafting in Livingstone, Zambia
Livingstone, Zambia is the classic base for rafting the Zambezi below Victoria Falls. Trips run through the Batoka Gorge — up to 25 rapids graded III to V — with pickup and return from your Livingstone lodge included. Rafting from Livingstone lets you go with a community-owned, locally-guided operator, so more of your money stays with the guides and their families. Best season is low water, August to December.
Livingstone is the Zambian gateway to Victoria Falls and the natural home of Zambezi rafting. The put-in for the Batoka Gorge run sits just below the Falls, near the Boiling Pot, a short drive from town.
As a real town rather than a single resort strip, Livingstone has a wide range of lodges, hostels and backpacker hubs — and it's where you'll find community-owned operators crewed by guides who grew up on this river.
Pickup included
Rafting trips include pickup and return from your Livingstone lodge or the Post Office.
The full gorge
Low-water full-day trips (Aug–Dec) run all 25 rapids of the Batoka Gorge.
Community-owned
Book direct with a locally-owned operator so income stays with the guides and their village.
More than rafting
The Swim Below Victoria Falls and a Sunset Mokoro Cruise round out the river experiences.
Ready to book?
Transparent pricing, instant online booking, and pickup from your Livingstone lodge included.
Frequently asked
Where do Livingstone rafting trips start?+
Trips put in on the Zambezi in the Batoka Gorge just below Victoria Falls, near the Boiling Pot, a short drive from Livingstone. Pickup and return from your lodge are included.
How far is the rafting from Livingstone town?+
The put-in is a short drive from town, near the Falls. Your operator handles transfers as part of the trip, so you don't need your own transport.
Can I book rafting after I arrive in Livingstone?+
Usually yes. Rafting generally has good same-day and short-notice availability, so on-arrival booking is realistic in most of the season. Message us on WhatsApp to check the next day's trip.
New to the river? Read our complete guide to rafting the Zambezi.