1. Futaleufu River, Chile

(photo by nwrafting)

This is an excellent spot for experienced rafters as it offers intense waters as well as breathtaking scenery. The deep blue waters originate from the lakes of the Andes Mountains and Los Alerces National Park. The river has some excellent drops and provides long periods of action. One of the most intense areas is known as the wild mile, which consists of several wicked rapids.

2. Pacuare River (Rio Pacuare), Costa Rica

(photo by lasertrimguy)

This river provides close to 70 miles of whitewater action in different stages of difficulty. It’s divided into three sections known as lower, upper, and upper upper. The degree of difficulty ranges from Grade two to five, which makes it ideal for both beginners and experienced rafters. The river offers some wonderful views of the surrounding lush rainforests and you’ll have the chance to see some of the area’s fascinating wildlife, such as exotic birds, jaguars, and monkeys.

3. Ottawa River, Ontario/Quebec, Canada

(photo by dentrecords)

The Ottawa River runs between the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. The large waterway is the most popular in the country for kayaking and whitewater rafting. You’ll find families here as well as experienced rafters who journey down a river valley that’s believed to be close to 175 million years old. You can either take a relaxing canoe trip on the river or whip through the rapids as fast as possible.

4. North Johnstone River, Australia

(photo by certified_su)

Many people take a week-long expedition down the North Johnstone River, which is located in the World Heritage rainforests of Queensland. You can start the trip with a helicopter ride to the river and then navigate your way into the Grade five rapids and spectacular Australian scenery. This is an ideal journey for experienced rafters and campers as it whips up some demanding rapids.

5. White Nile River, Uganda, Africa

(photo by B Kerekes)

This trip takes you past the Bujagali Falls, which are close to the mouth of famous Lake Victoria. The White Nile is actually a tributary of the Nile River and it flows through several African nations before it reaches Uganda. You’ll find numerous rafting companies in the area as Uganda houses the most exciting part of the river for rafting with its Grade Five rapids mixed in with peaceful waters. Needless to say, the scenery is out of the world.

6. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA

(photo by somewhereoutside)

This is one of the best areas to combine camping and rafting. When you get to the park head over to the Flathead River. The park itself is over a million acres and features about 700 miles of hiking trails. The river offers about 160 miles excellent rafting water, which originates from the famous Rocky Mountains.

7. Zambezi River, Zambia and Zimbabwe, Africa

(photo by hannes.steyn)

These intense waters are for experienced rafters only. The river features challenging rapids and some pretty intense swells. Victoria Falls divides the river into middle and upper sections. In total, the river stretches about 1,600 miles and offers some excellent African scenery along it. You’ll likely come across crocodiles and hippopotamuses where the waters are calm. When you get to Batoka Gorge, you’ll experience some massive drops along with raging rapids.

8. Apurimac River, Peru

(photo by wetplanet)

The Apurimac is the largest river on the planet and it also sources the Amazon River. The area in southern Peru provides Grade four rapids as well as some magnificent wildlife. It’s an ideal place to spend a few days and combine the rafting with an adventurous South American camping trip.

This is not entirely true since white water rafting can be as safe as the next outdoor sport.

Contrary to what many people believe, white water rafting is actually an exciting outdoor activity ideal for the whole family.

If you are bored of the usual summer getaway you have every year, white water rafting offers you a thrilling and exciting outdoor adventure.

Just imagine riding an untamed river with terrifying drops, rapids, and ledges while enjoying the beauty of nature around you.

Many people thought that white water rafting is a sport only for the strong and athletic because of the dangers it entails. This sport requires paddling over flowing white water for you to avoid boulders and barriers.

One can expect gradient steeps in the water which causes the changes in speed of the water. This can easily tip and toss the boat you’re riding and elicit adrenaline pumping and thrilling moments.

Despite the fact that it can be a dangerous sport, applying some safety precautions will let you enjoy the ride without sacrificing the thrills.

White Water Rafting Safety Guidelines

• For beginners, it is not impossible to ride the wild river just as long as you know your limitations and not go overboard. It is essential that you learn about the gears and equipment that are needed to protect yourself. Wear your life jacket at all times, head gear, and other protection. There are white water rafting companies offering expert guides to ride with you and your friends on the boat to ensure your safety.
• As people gain more experience and knowledge about how to counter and control the boat, the idea of riding alone can be quite tempting but it will always be safer to have some company when you ride wild waters. Always remember that there are inherent dangers associated with white water rafting especially if you are new to the place or the raging river. There are accidents and even fatalities that can happen so you should always care to remember to follow strictly the safety precautions and adhere to the rules and guidelines set by the experts.
• It would also be smarter to stick to the lower class waves and steeps if you are new to white water rafting to avoid any accidents. As you get more used to the activity, you’d be able to conquer more difficult rapids and trips. Still, starters and seasoned white water rafting enthusiasts know the importance of keeping the sport safe. So check your gears and ensure that somebody in your boat has a first aid kit that will float once you are all thrown out.

White water rafting can be too much for those who have a poor heart. If you suffer from cardiovascular ailments like asthma and high blood pressure, you better stay at the shore and await your buddies while they go white water rafting.

It is still a sport with an element of risk but serious incidents occur very rarely.

In 2005 out of half a million commercial rafters in the state of Colorado, only three fatalities occurred. There are certain steps that can be taken to avoid unnecessary risks when having fun while white river rafting.

There are more than seventy Colorado companies so be sure to know how safety conscious the one you choose is going to be.

If possible get a recommendation from a friend, but failing that, look for safety training certificates, its past record and know how experienced they actually are.

Rapids are classed by levels from I through to VI, the former is the mildest and the latter is deemed as having serious risks and almost impossible to master.

Not surprisingly the very highest rated are not commercially rafted. Class IV and V are only allowed for very experienced people with plenty of confidence.

For families and individuals who have never rafted before, most commercial companies use rapids at level I to III. A reliable company will have experienced staff which is essential.

It is important to appreciate that however good any guides are that ultimately you and your family will be paddling through rapids. Nothing will actually be done for you.

From a science point of view levels of water affect the type of white water rafting experience you will have. This is measured by CFS, cubic feet per second, so the more CFS the faster the water will move.

Paddling in water that is very high does not necessarily mean a greater degree of difficulty, so it is better to be guided by what you are advised.

Good quality white water rafting is possible through the whole of the summer. Many rivers work on a program where water is released from a nearby dam to meet the needs of recreation and agriculture.

There are many places all over the United States and Canada where river rafting can be done, it is great fun for the whole family and the excitement is hard to beat.

Combining it with a camping trip is perfect as there are many campgrounds by rivers meaning you get a complete experience of the great outdoors and nature in all its glory.

Whitewater rafting is something that everyone can enjoy.

Including whitewater rafting in your camping trip not only makes you as the coolest parents forever, but also provides a great bonding experience for your whole family.

Whitewater rafting can greatly help to improve the skills and abilities in your children. The unique idea behind whitewater rafting is that your whole family will wind up in the raft learning from one another and cooperating as a group for the great and exciting activity.

Till now if you didn’t consider whitewater rafting, consider for your next vacation. Selecting a whitewater rafting in your camping trip signals a world of opportunity for you. Your whole family can have a great amount of fun and winds up in laughing and screaming.

Rafting tips for your safety:

If you are new to rafting, here are some tips to help you. This activity can be dangerous and also fun full.

• It is very easy to learn how to raft. You can be familiar by taking help of the rafting guides. These guides will teach you a lot from how to grip your paddle, how to stop or rise up the speed, how to rotate the craft and how to act and what to do if you are dropped out of the raft.
• It is better to hire a professional to teach you so that you can make your whitewater rafting a comfortable and relaxed process and to have fun from begin to end.
• Most of you will get a doubt that when you fall out of the raft and you don’t know how to swim. Don’t fear, when you go for whitewater rafting, they cover you fully so that you can float above water.
• Choose age-appropriate trip. Most of the whitewater rafting trips are offered for people of all ages. If you are planning to go with your family, with young children and also senior citizens, you should choose the type of trip that you can tackle well based on practical measures.

Based on the type of trip you have chosen, it may be for one day or several days. If you choose a trip that lasts for some days, you will have accommodations all along the river and they arrange a campsite for each night.

These type of activities can be a great means for a group or family to obtain a great trip. The activities like whitewater rafting make your camping trip more memorable and you can enjoy the trip to the fullest.