The Zambezi River – the fourth-longest river in Africa, which flows from Zambia, through eastern Angola, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique to the Indian Ocean – is welcoming its Zambezi White Water Festival, from October 25-27.

Hosted by Safari Par Excellence, the festival is primarily a spotlight on the white-water scene on the Zambezi River, says Sean Edington of Safari Par Excellence. “What is so unique, is that it is one of the only amateur rafting competitions on a grade-five river. It is a unique opportunity to compete on an incredible river with adventurous, fun-loving and like-minded people.”

The two-day event draws enthusiasts not only from across Africa, but from abroad as well, with teams of six being skippered by an International Rafting Federation accredited guide. The race, which offers a grand prize at the end, is orientated around four major activities:

Event 1: Zambezi Test Of The Best – a timed race from the Boiling Pot below Victoria Falls to the eddy below rapid number 4, ‘Morning Glory’. Two rafts start at a time. The race water distance is 2 300m.

Event 2: Zambezi Le Mans Sprint – a mass start from the pool below rapid number 5 to the pool above rapid number 7. There is a strong element of moving on the rocks here to reach attainment point. The race water distance is 700m.

Event 3: Zambezi Slalom – one raft at a time goes down the course with attainment areas, starting at the rapid number 12 pool. The finish is at the jailhouse eddy rapid number 13. Failure to make attainment attracts a point penalty. The overall winner is the team with the lowest points in all three events. The race water distance is 900m with attainments excluded.

Event 4: Zambezi Surf ‘n Turf – the best surf in the iconic rapid number 18, to be judged in the Waterfront Bar by the festival goers. This event is not scored in the overall event.

“The festival is great for our region and an excellent way to get more interest in what is one of the top five rafting rivers on the planet. Arguably the Zambezi offers the world’s best one-day white-water rafting on earth,” says Edington. “Last year’s festival generated huge interest – our video had 275 000 views and we have had massive feedback. Suddenly the Zambezi was back in the spotlight. This year we are looking to have our complement of ten teams (with pressure to have 12); and our music line-up has grown substantially.”

For supporters and visitors to the Festival, there is also great food and live music performances from artists from Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“The festival is a great way to generate interest in the region and in rafting in particular, attracting adventure-loving, outdoor enthusiasts. The live music and fair are great for people who don’t fancy taking part in the rafting side. As the festival takes place at the Victoria Falls Waterfront, the nightly festivities are on the banks of the Zambezi,” concludes Edington.

Read more information on the Zambezi White Water Festival.