The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa, after the Nile, Congo, and Niger Rivers. It is the longest east flowing river in Africa.
It flows through six countries on its journey from its source in north-western Zambia to the Indian Ocean, an amazing 2 700 km.
This river evokes mystery and excitement with few rivers in the world remaining as pristine or as little explored. The source of the mighty Zambezi River lies at about 1 500 m (4 900ft) above sea level in the Mwinilunga District, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and the Congo meet.
From there it flows through Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Botswana then back along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe finally discharging into the Indian Ocean at its delta in Mozambique. The area of its catchment basin is 1 390 000 square km which is half that of the Nile.The Power of the Zambezi River has been harnessed along its journey at two points, the first being Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and the second Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Both these dams are sources of hydroelectric power and supply a large portion of power to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
The British South Africa Company put up a purse of £1,000 to the winner. Richard Arnst from New Zealand and Ernest Barry from England, (pictured below) the two top professional rowers of their day, competed in the race which was won by the New Zealander (funnily enough sponsored by the city of Sydney).The first Regatta in Zambia in 1905, winners of the coxed fours. Left to right: G. Hill (stroke), Bruce-Miller (3), Colonel Carden (judge), H E Scott (cox), K B Fairburn (bow), J Saunders (2)1910, Rowers, Ernest Barry of England and Dick Arnst of New Zealandin ZambiaIn the 2004 Regatta Ernest Barry’s nephew, Dan Barry, rowed an exhibition race on the Zambezi River.
For years there has also been talk and plans of another Hydroelectric Dam to be built in the Batoka gorge just below Victoria Falls, of major concern is that these plans are very much alive again. To find out more please click on this link "Batoka Dam Project" as we continue to follow and oppose this threatening project.
The rivers beauty has attracted tourists from all over the world and provides great opportunities for game viewing and various water sports. Hippopotamus, crocodiles, elephants and lions are some examples of wildlife you will find along various parts of the Zambezi river.The Victoria Falls are considered the boundary between the upper and middle Zambezi. For the next 500 km the river serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Below the Falls the river continues to flow due east for about 200 km (120miles), cutting through gorges of basalt rock between 200 to 250 metres (660 to 820ft) high.It is in these gorges where the commercial white water rafting now takes place. The Zambezi River is graded as a grade 5 river. This is the highest grade that a river can be graded for white water rafting, meaning this is as wet and wild as it gets. The Victoria Falls also servers as a backdrop for many other adventure sportsincluding the famous bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge.The river drops 250m over the 200 km before entering Lake Kariba. The Kariba Dam which was completed in 1959 is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world. The hydroelectric power generated at the dam provides electricity for much of Zambia and Zimbabwe.Lake Kariba is 226 km long and in places up to 40 km wide and supports a thriving commercial fishing industry and is a fantastic tourist attraction.
With its spectacular scenery, stunning sunsets, great fishing and boating opportunities it is one of the finest places on this planet for a holiday. The weather here is mostly sunny and fine but it does get very hot in mid summer, even mid winter days are warm and the nights are balmy.From the Kariba dam wall the river heads east again towards Chirundu. Beyond this the river is flanked by Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. This is the stretch of the river that the famous canoe safaris are run.
Tourists have the opportunity of paddling down the river and camping overnight on the banks or more luxurious trips offer accommodation in one of the safari lodges along the way. Wonderful sightings of wildlife are experienced as the canoes slip silently by them, and encounters with Hippopotamus can be quite exciting.This middle zone of the Zambezi river supports one of the most important wilderness areas in Africa. The middle Zambezi ends where the river enters Lake Cahora Bassa which was constructed in 1974. Dan rowed for the Cambridge crew and in 2010 he competed in the re-enactment of the 1910 sculling event. Like his great uncle, Dan Barry came second, this time to Dan Arnold from London.
It flows through six countries on its journey from its source in north-western Zambia to the Indian Ocean, an amazing 2 700 km.
This river evokes mystery and excitement with few rivers in the world remaining as pristine or as little explored. The source of the mighty Zambezi River lies at about 1 500 m (4 900ft) above sea level in the Mwinilunga District, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and the Congo meet.
From there it flows through Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Botswana then back along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe finally discharging into the Indian Ocean at its delta in Mozambique. The area of its catchment basin is 1 390 000 square km which is half that of the Nile.The Power of the Zambezi River has been harnessed along its journey at two points, the first being Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and the second Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Both these dams are sources of hydroelectric power and supply a large portion of power to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
For years there has also been talk and plans of another Hydroelectric Dam to be built in the Batoka gorge just below Victoria Falls, of major concern is that these plans are very much alive again. To find out more please click on this link "Batoka Dam Project" as we continue to follow and oppose this threatening project.
With its spectacular scenery, stunning sunsets, great fishing and boating opportunities it is one of the finest places on this planet for a holiday. The weather here is mostly sunny and fine but it does get very hot in mid summer, even mid winter days are warm and the nights are balmy.From the Kariba dam wall the river heads east again towards Chirundu. Beyond this the river is flanked by Lower Zambezi National Park in Zambia and Mana Pools National Park in Zimbabwe. This is the stretch of the river that the famous canoe safaris are run.
Tourists have the opportunity of paddling down the river and camping overnight on the banks or more luxurious trips offer accommodation in one of the safari lodges along the way. Wonderful sightings of wildlife are experienced as the canoes slip silently by them, and encounters with Hippopotamus can be quite exciting.This middle zone of the Zambezi river supports one of the most important wilderness areas in Africa. The middle Zambezi ends where the river enters Lake Cahora Bassa which was constructed in 1974. Dan rowed for the Cambridge crew and in 2010 he competed in the re-enactment of the 1910 sculling event. Like his great uncle, Dan Barry came second, this time to Dan Arnold from London.
In 2010 Regatta (sponsored by Sun International hotels the Royal Livingstone and Zambezi Sun) had teams from Oxford, Cambridge, Cape Town and Johannesburg Universities competed in rowing events over distances of 500m and 2,000m in traditional eights shells. The rafting event was held in the gorges between rapids 1 and 7 on Tuesday 21 September. There were also a number of local competitors in the canoe, raft and makoro races. Viewing of the racing was managed by the Zambezi boat club and VIPs and sponsors were entertained on board the luxurious African Queen, African Princess and Lady Livingstone launches. Stanbic Bank, Livingstone’s Adventure, Safari Par Excellence and Sun International were the major sponsors of the races whilst other companies such as David Livingstone Safari Lodge, Protea Hotels, Bushtracks Africa, UAC and others made significant contributions the Regatta.
The Zambezi International Regatta in Livingstone has been held previously in 2004, 2005, 2007 and more recently in 2010. The event is normally open to alumni from Oxford and Cambridge Universities who pit their skills against the top Universities from South Africa. In 2007 the event also included Brown University from the USA.2004 national mukoro winners with Noble Findlay from Auto World and Matt Pascal from First Quantum Minerals, a sponsor at the Regatta.In the past the races attracted Olympic Gold Medallists participation like Luka Grubor, Andrew Lindsay, Ed Coode, Jake Wetzel, Peter Reed, Andrew Triggs-Hodge and Olympic Silver Medallists Colin Smith (born in Zimbabwe) Josh West, Matt Langridge, Kieran West and Acer Nethercott. It is intended that the Zambezi Regatta be held once again in 2012 attracting high profile Olympic medallists once more. Sponsors are being sought to host the event and you can get in touch with The River Club to find out more and get involved.Recently worrying reports have popped up in the press that the Zambezi Seaway Scheme, a project to open up the Zambezi to enable the transportation of goods and minerals from the hinterland, is back on the cards.
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