Below are answers to questions I had to answer many times in the years I have been here... Go trough them all and you should be geared up to come and visit us. if you still wonder about stuff after reading this, juts send us a message at nico@bunduadventures.com

Have I got the skills to run the river and actually enjoy it?

The Zambezi is a big volume, non-technical, pool drop river, with very short rapids. What does this mean? Well it means that if you have a good roll and the skills of a grade III paddler, you will love this river! The big volume factor means you are going to spend some time upside down, so you will need a good roll. On the other side, the Zambezi (At low levels - Auguts til January) is probably the most forgiving river on the planet and each swim you take ends up in a big calm pool of sun heated water, so it's Ok to swim, but a good roll will make it more enjoyable. You can also run most of the rapids upside down if all you have is a roll! So to run the Zambezi and enjoy it, have a good roll on hand and a minimum skills...

Can I be too good for the Zambezi?

Impossible! Each rapids presents different lines, and you can really push your limits on this river! Rapid #09, purrover jump in rapid #05, the minus rapids at the base of the Victoria Falls, the Moemba rapids, Dam site, will fulfill the most intrepid paddler. If not then you can always hook over mighty Victoria Falls...

Is the Zambezi an expensive destination?

Nico Chassing, owner of Bundu Adventures, aims at providing affordable logistic for kayakers. We know most of you outhere kayaking are pretty skint, so you can tag along our rafting trip and get transport to and from the river for only 10USD. If you combine this with a stay at a backpacker Livingstone in a dorm or tent, don't go too heavy on the Mosi lager, then the Zambezi is cheap.

What is the best time of the year?

Between the beginning of August and the middle of January. The Zambezi is a free flow river (for the moment), so levels depend on the rain, but if you come between the mentioned months, you will have a fantastic river to paddle. Best months of the best months are August, September and October, before the rains... The rainy season starts in November. The rainfall vary terribly depending on the year. The past five years have been very wet. The 90's were pretty dry. But the rains musn't stop you to come... It's always nice and warm anyway around here!!! Between the end of January and the end of July, the river is much higher and not as interesting. You can still have a great time, but please send us a message before coming during the high water months... Some season the river goes so high it becomes dangerous to paddle.

What is the flow of the Zambezi

It varies from 400 cubic meter per second in October to 8000 cubic meter second in April. I don't know how to covert it in cfs, sorry...

Is the Zambezi a one day trip? Two day trip?

The Zambezi presents various sections. You can paddle from rapid #01 to rapid #06 or #07 for a one hour session. You can paddle from rapid #01 to rapid #10 and do a half day, or you can do the full day section from rapid #01 to rapid #25. Then you can venture further downstream and do multi day trips up to 8 days from rapid #01 to the lake Kariba. Options of Multiday trips vary from two, three, six, seven and eight days. Check our multi day section for prices and details.

When are the best waves?

My preferred levels for waves are in August and December, when the river is low but not too much. The river is then still powerfull, and big amazing waves are all over the place. But every level has got its bunch of good waves. At very low level, 12b is a great spot! If you want to surf the tubing wave at rapid #11, be around here in July and January. Can't give you precise dates as the river levels vary from the rain...but be on stand by and keep checking with us.

Is the Zambezi in Zimbabwe or Zambia?

The river borders both country. River left is Zambia, and river right is Zimbabwe. You have the choice to access the river and stay either in Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls town) or Zambia Livingstone). I recommend Zambia were most of the kayakers and most of the tourist stay these days. You can't stay in Zim and paddle from the Zambian side. If you stay in Zim you put in and take in Zim. If you stay in Zambia you put in and take out in Zambia.

Can I take kayaking lessons ont he Zambezi?

Yes you can. We offer beginners lessons up to experts and freestyle clinics as well. The website will soon have all the necessary details. Please send us a message if you are interested.

Can I hire boats and equipment?

Yes you can hire boats but our number is limited so please ask before flying here empty ended... Contact us for prices as it isn't on the site yet. You can't really hire equipment over here so birng your own paddle, deck, life jacket, etc

What should I wear On the river / Off the river?

On the river: Light shorts, flip flops to walk down and up the gorge, deck, short sleeve splash jacket, high flotation life jackets, a helmet, some sun cream, a water bottle.

Off the river: The same short as your paddling shorts, the same flip flop you used to walk donw and up the gorge, a tee shirt, some mosiquito reppelent on the evening.

Will I catch Malaria and die or if I survive I will be sick for the rest of my life?

No!!! Malaria musn't be ignore, but if you sleep under a net, spray some mosi reppelent on your limbs on the evening, ther is very little chance you will contract malaria. If you pass out at the bar naked, you increase the risk! If you catch it, don't panic, treat it immediatly, and you should be sorted in a few days only. The doctors in Livingstone are experts in treating the disease, trust them, not your generalist back at home. If you treat the malaria correctly and finish your treatment, you will get rid of it and never be sick again.

What boat is best for the river?

A medium volume play boat or river runner is perfect.

Are there other rivers to paddle close by?

Not really, the only river to paddle apart from the Zambezi is the Kafue river. It is a gem and we can organise trips down there. But it is reserved to really good paddlers and the logistic is a story.

Are they crocodiles in the river?

The Zambezi below the Vic Falls, where we paddle, flows in a gorge called the "Batoka Gorge". The steep rocky sides and the very high water flushing the river each year limit the wildlife to only a few small crocodiles on day one of the river between rapid #01 and #25. Further downstream, and closer to Lake Kariba, the crocs can be abondent and massive, so watch out on those multi day trips. But on day one, no problem, you can swim in peace.