Water By Nature Rafting - Rotherham

Steve Clements

We just completed the “Zambezi Blast” combination rafting / safari trip. I can’t say enough good things about this organization and its leader, Hamish. It’s first class all the way. We stayed at the finest hotels and rode in quality vehicles (4x4’s, vans, boats and helicopters) guided by likely the best guides around. Isaac, the captain of our raft, is a local Olympian kayaker who grew up running the same river we ran! The food was great, we were with a group of amazing people and everything flowed seamlessly. Thank you Hamish and crew! Dee Dee and I had a great time.

Kristen Hagemann

The Zambezi River Blast was the most incredible and life changing experience of my life. It’s hard to put into words how impressive the entire operation was. We were lucky enough to have Hamish join us on the trip and boy were we in for a treat! Hamish was selfless, witty, kept us laughing, informed, all the while making us feel safe. The river crew; Isaac, Kevias, Darwin, PJ, Liberty, and Makuma (with his crew of Porters), worked effortlessly to traverse us through the mighty Zambezi, set up camp, cook us dinner & lunch, and serve us our drinks of choice (G&T’s for me!); all with a huge smile on their face. They were accommodating, informative, and FUN! Being on the river was an experience not many accomplish and I am beyond grateful to have completed this adventure. Not only was the 4 days rafting, 3 days camping executed well, but the entire 8 day trip was coordinated so well that it felt like a true vacation, not needing to lift a finger.

I am already thinking of where I can go next with Water By Nature. If you’re on the fence, just book the trip!!!! There were people of all ages and fitness levels on the trip, so there is nothing to hold you back.

Thank you Hamish, Fiona, and the Zambezi River crew for an adventure I’ll never forget. Love you guys!

Betsy Barker

Sailing in Croatia was beyond my wildest dreams. If you like champagne sailing along a rugged coast in turquoise waters this trip is for you! Overnights in some remote moorings allowed me to sleep on deck with a million stars above! Hamish and his crew were especially accommodating to my vegetarian diet, both on the boat and on land. I loved exploring the towns…particularly Dubrovnik where we also did a bit of sea kayaking. But wait! On to Montenegro for a rafting trip on crystal clear waters. A drive to the top of the Carpathian Mountainsfor drinks and appetizers was a sure highlight. This was one of the best trips I’ve ever experienced! Leave the dishes in the sink and go!

Sarah Shoesmith

Chores and Challenges - the best way to get stuck into a real adventure with pupils

I have recently returned from an incredible school trip with Water by Nature (c/o Hamish McMaster). We had booked a week of rafting down the Ahansal River in the lower Atlas mountains, as well as a little hiking and a cookery class in Marrakech. Seven curious adventurers signed up to come and do something completely different during their Easter break.

Within minutes of setting off with Hamish we were all assigned chores and tasks which engaged and entertained us for the entire week. Each one, however small or challenging, was essential to our adventure unfolding. There was little time to debate or argue and Hamish dusted all his directives with much humour, great stories and loads of positive affirmation. 'Help me carry the raft frame from the trailer to the river's edge please and then together we can attach it to the raft. I shall show you how to use these tie-downs properly. Can you please make us all sandwhiches for our journey today - everything you need is in the cooler box. Tents need to go up, could you both crack on with that - doing it pairs always makes the job go quicker and is more fun. I need you to fetch water, filter it through that muslin bag and then put it through the purifier to fill that container - everyone will need fresh water for tonight, so your job is really important'. There was always a hive of activity that was varied, valued and important.

In our 'efficiency' we left behind the whole box of cutlery at our base way below our start point on the river. Hours later, preparing dinner, we realised what had happened. After a pause and a raised eyebrow one of our pupils broke the silence and said 'I am off to make myself a fork to eat my dinner'. Great hilarity washed over dinner as we ate with our home-made mishapened wooden forks and used our one and only chopping knife to dish up hot cholocate into our mugs. While passing through a very remote village later, we bought some cheap knives and spoons that only bent and broke thoughout the rest of our trip - prooving they were superfluous. We had the joy of having a 'forkless' trip and can proudly say that they are actually an over-rated utensil on a real expedition!

I observed our young adventurers busy and active for that entire week. Each person was important and an essential part of the team. It provided space to have good chats while doing chores, as well as being able to give gratitude to one another for contributing to our trip unfolding. Even when mistakes were made, everyone quickly became problem solvers. Hamish, and his terrific sense of humour, meant our adventure was not only great fun but also a direct outcome of active, continuous participation, cooperation and collaboration.

Tara

I did the Croatia/Montenegro sailing and rafting trip. This trip exceeded my expectations in every way. The guides/crew were knowledgeable and fun to be around, the food was AMAZING and the views were beyond words. I loved that I could be on vacation and still be active with hiking, sailing, kayaking and rafting. I’ve decided that sailing is the best way to see a place because you get the best views and the towns that we stoped at were not packed with tourists. They were usually small villages, we got to meet locals and see the non commercial side of things. I can’t wait to book another vacation thru Water by Nature. Thanks Hamish!

Bryce Johnson

Our trip to Croatia and Montegro exceeded all my high expectations. Hamish as usual had all the details covered so that we could relax and enjoy the beautiful sea, the delighful Island ports and all the fun onboard. We sailed each morning, stopped in a beautiful cove for swimming and luch and then sailed on to our mooring for the night. The food was amazing whether at small secluded resaurants just for the yachts, fine dining restaurants in the towns or a big grill on the boat.

I highly recommend the extension to Montenegro to see the FJiords and to enjoy the wonderful rafting. Hamish had booked the best table on the very edge at the cliff above the city for sunset drinks at the end of our trip. What a great finale to the perfect trip packed with memories, experiences and new friends!

Mark Delstanche

I have just returned from an 8 day itinerary booked through Water By Nature in Morocco with my wife and two boys aged 10 and 12 and cannot recommend this company highly enough.
The organisation from beginning to end was exemplary and our experience both on and off of the water was fantastic.
Our guides, Hamish and Ermine worked tirelessly throughout our time with them to ensure that all our needs were met and the food was way beyond anything we could have expected, especially given that we were on the river for four days. The choice of venue for the rafting as well as the quality of the hotels at the beginning and end of the trip was wonderful and I could not fault any aspect of this great adventure.
If you're looking for a one of a kind experience for you and your family which will give you may wonderful memories for years to come, look no further than this company, you will not be disappointed.

L Evans

I had been looking forward to doing the Zambezi for over 20 years. My husband and I chose this company to do The Mighty Zambezi trip and it was EPIC! I can't think of one thing on the trip that I would've changed.

I was initially afraid of doing this trip, even with all of the whitewater experience I've had over the years. However, our guides had the best training from anyone I'd ever rafted with before. Beach-sleeping under the stars with wonderful food and libations around the campfire was second-to-none. Even the "Johnny" had wonderful scenery.

We also had two surprised bonuses on our trip. The owner Hamish joined us by taking one of the supply rafts down---he's a trip! He talked me and my husband into taking duckies down the rapids on day 2 (well, he didn't have to try that hard to talk us into it). He and I still keep in touch. We also had world record holder Tyler Bradt as a saftey-kayaker!

The safari trip was also wonderful with the luxury tent accommodations and the park was incredible.

We've stayed in touch with several people on the trip through facebook or messaging. I even did a raft trip down the Ocoee last year with one the Zambezi alums. Only a cool person would book this kind of trip, which makes the experience even better.

It's these life-experiences that make the best investments. You can't walk away from this trip without it changing you for the better. I can't wait to go on another adventure with Water By Nature!