White Water Rafting (full day)

White-water rafting was introduced to Swaziland in 1991 and is renowned as the best white-water in Southern Africa, south of the Zambesi.  Operated by Swazi Trails the standard format is a half or full day guided river trip. The Great Usutu River offers a variety of Grade II to Grade IV white-water rapids. Trips are undertaken in 2-man, inflatable "croc" rafts and guided by local river guides in kayaks.  Rafting in various formats is available 365 days a year.   Departures are guaranteed for a minimum of two persons. 

The Great Usutu is Swaziland's largest river. It flows from the South African highveld through central Swaziland and exits the Kingdom near Big Bend.  Thereafter it winds past Nduma in KwaZulu-Natal and up to the Bay of Maputo in Mozambique.  The Swazi Trails rafting stretch runs from a location between the villages of Sidvokodvo and Siphofaneni, which is known as the Bulungapoort.  Although the river changes dramatically from full to low water levels, there is always a selection of Grade 2 to 4 rapids to be attempted.  At certain medium and high water levels some stretches become Grade 5 in difficulty, with optional or compulsory portages at the river guide's discretion. 

The river is wide and at lower water levels it winds its way between numerous islands and sandbanks, which are otherwise covered during the full water season.  The location is scenic with tall mountains and forested riverbanks, interspersed occasionally by rural Swazi homesteads.

This booking option that you are currently browsing is for a full day White Water Rafting trip - generally available November through to May annually.

If you prefer a half day river rafting trip, which is available all year round then try - White Water Rafting Half Day. 

If you would still like a full day of adventure, but are planning to visit in the winter season June to October, then try our great value White Water Rafting Abseiling Tubing Combo.

Visit the Swaziland Adventures section of our videos page for a quick look at the action.

The initial meeting at the Swazi Trails office at Mantenga Craft Centre, Ezulwini allows registration and the signing of waivers and indemnities to be done.  Travelling time from the Swazi Trails offices to the river is 45-60min, with transport provided in a closed tour vehicle. 

All rafting trips start with a thorough safety briefing and a flat-water stretch for practicing technique.  Participants paddle and portage their own boats and must be prepared for vigorous activity.  After approximately 1 to 1.5 hours of relatively gentle rafting, the action starts at the LUSIP weir and then carries on for the next hour of careful raft-by-raft progression through the carefully guided Holomi Station and Initiator rapid sections.  At this point approximately 7 kilometres of river will have been covered and from 2 to 3 hours spent on the river, the variance caused by group size, ability and river conditions.

Lunch is a picnic-style affair, served normally near the Holomi Waterfall.  The standard menu is a light and tasty: chicken and mayonnaise or ham rolls, together with cheese rolls, fruit, chocolates and orange juice. 

After lunch rafts are portaged to below the Holomi Falls and the re-launched into the river for a relatively gentle afternoon interupted only by the fast and furious Zambesi Rapid.  The take-out point is on the northern bank on a sandy beach, a further 7km after the lunch point.  At very high water levels a further 7 kilometres of rafting is often possible which brings rafters past another series of waterfalls and down further sets of rapids.  Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 hours is spent on the water in the afternoon.

The trip ends with sundowner drinks (beers & soft drinks) and light snacks on the riverbank.  The return journey takes approximately one hour.