Right after Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River runs through a deep and narrow gorge. Many people go white-water rafting down this gorge, where there are 23 rapids, many of which are class 4 and 5, and a few class 6. (The rafts portage around the class 6 rapids as they are too dangerous.)

On our last full day in Livingstone, we hiked down into the gorge where we were told there was a great swimming hole of sorts right after Rapid #10. Some people from Overland Missions had hiked there before, so they knew where to go and joined us. Rapid #10 is also where some of the rafting expeditions begin, so the path into the gorge has been improved with the construction of wooden ‘ladders’ at the steepest points.

At the top of the gorge

Our descent

Ladder? Stairs? Not really either, or maybe both.

It was certainly easier than sliding down loose dirt and pebbles…

…but it still wasn’t easy.

Needless to say, our quads were SORE the next day

At the bottom.

The swimming hole was green from algae, but as it was surprisingly clear, the group decided it was still swimmable.

Steve and I found a spot along the river to swim in.

We startled a really interesting lizard, and Steve managed to get some great closeups of it.

Also, for you geology enthusiasts out there, the black rock surrounding the swimming hole held a wealth of geodes.

I probably could have spent the entire day admiring their various shapes and sizes. I was hoping to find one with amethyst crystals in it, since Zambia does mine some amethyst. But I didn’t. Just white quartz, I think.

We started back up not long after lunch, but I only snapped two photos of our ascent. It was too grueling to take more. It didn’t make me feel better that we were quickly passed by two Zambian fishermen, who I’m pretty sure didn’t stop to rest the entire climb. Amazing.