5 whitewater rapids for adrenaline-seekers

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being perched at the edge of a fast-flowing river, wondering if you’ll catch the wave or end up swimming. Here’s a selection of the world’s most exciting rivers for water-loving thrill-seekers.

Zambezi, Zimbabwe and Zambia

Claimed by many to be the ultimate one-day white-water rafting experience, the Zambezi day trip starts just below the magnificent Victoria Falls. Your heart will be racing over an adrenaline-pumping sequence of class IV and V rapids such as ‘Stairway to Heaven’ or ‘Gnashing Jaws of Death’, and finish with the infamous ‘Oblivion’ and ‘Ghostrider’.

Once you’ve battled down the mighty Zambezi, you could even top it off with a bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge, and head back to rest at the highly rated Mungo Eco-Lodge.

Futaleufú, Chile

The turquoise waters of the Futaleufú, surging through Patagonia’s temperate rainforests, are enough to get even the most experienced rafter’s adrenaline racing. Add continuous stretches of whitewater and class V rapids and you’re in paradise for rafters and kayakers. Whether you’re taking your time with a 9-day expedition or devoting just a day to the top rapids, don’t miss out on ‘Terminator’, known as the biggest and baddest commercially-run rapid of them all.

Savour more of Patagonia’s remoteness and beauty at Yelcho en la Patagonia, and complete the experience with a day of fly-fishing or riding through the mountains on horseback.

Cherry Creek, California, USA

Known as possibly the most technically challenging river run in the USA, the Cherry Creek section of the Tuolumne River in California surges just outside of Yosemite National Park. This river is intense, with steep drops between huge boulders. Let yourself be guided through ‘Mushroom’ and ‘Toadstool’, two extremely difficult succeeding rapids, and notorious sections such as the ‘Miracle Mile’; solid class V rapids over the entire mile, dropping 60 metres in total.

Only two companies run these rapids commercially, so your group is likely to be the only one on the river. Once the adrenaline dies down, make yourself at home and relax at the welcoming Red Tail Ranch.

Sun Kosi, Nepal

Starting just below Tibet, the whitewater of the Sun Kosi heats up as it rushes from high in the Himalayas down to the Ganges, and the scenery changes from mountain to jungle to flat plains as you descend 270 km of the ‘River of Gold’ on this classic river run. Contemplate the class V ‘Harkapur’ from your camping spot before attacking it in the morning, and tie your shorts tightly to make sure ‘The Big Dipper’ doesn’t merit its other name – ‘The Big Stripper’ – as you reach the end of the trip.

Some companies offer yoga on the white, sandy beaches where you camp for the night, and you can prepare yourself for the rapids with morning meditation at the luxurious Dwarika’s Resort, not far from Dolalghat where river trips typically start.

The White Nile, Uganda

As far as playboating goes, it doesn’t get much better than this. The Nile’s huge volume creates a thrilling series of class IV and V big-water rapids. Highlights include big, bad Itanda – a.k.a. ‘The Bad Place’ – and an epic surf wave, aptly named ‘Nile Special’ after the strong local beer (perfect for soothing aching muscles).

You don’t need to be an experienced kayaker to fall in love with the Nile, most visitors come away exhilarated from the one-day rafting trip and adrenaline junkies can also opt for riverboarding. Don’t wait too long before booking this trip – as the dam further upstream is completed, the river’s anatomy will change. Skip the morning journey from Kampala by checking in to Source Of The Smile Hotel & Guesthouse in nearby Jinja.