Water levels on the Zambezi River continue to rise, boosting tourism activities for suppliers who depend on high water levels in the region.

White-water rafting, Victoria Falls viewing, helicopter flights, river cruises, fishing, swimming and houseboats as well as power generation at Lake Kariba depend on the Zambezi River.

Statistics released by the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) – which oversees water levels on the Zambezi and the Kariba Dam – show that the flow in the Zambezi River at Chavuma (northwestern Zambia) shot up by 73 cubic metres per second earlier this month, indicating intense run-off on the Zambezi headwaters.

“Throughout the first week of February, the Zambezi River flow at Victoria Falls has continued to rise quite steadily above last year’s flows during the same period by 25%,” ZRA reported.

Recently, white-water rafting activities on the Zambezi at the Victoria Falls had to be moved further downstream due to increased water levels on the river.

The water level of the Zambezi is normally at its peak between March and August, owing to rainfall on the upper stretches of the river.