Part 4: Rafting Between Borders

This day was devoted to one of the most eagerly anticipated events of the trip; rafting down the Kunene river. As the Kunene forms a natural border between Angola and Namibia, our rubber little boats would end up bouncing between both countries.

We met up at the Kunene River Lodge, where we picked up our gear and drove upriver.

Next we had to carry our boats barefoot a good 250 meters (270 yards) over some pretty pointy rock formations. While carrying our boats in pair, staggering across the terrain in slight agony on our soft spoiled European feet, one of the rafting guides made us feel like a bunch of Louboutin wearing city divas in old town.

But, it was all worth it when we were allowed to cliff jump into the water before mounting our boats. Casper taking the prize with his jump at 28 seconds in the video.

The next few hours we glided down the mighty Kunene, which slowly escalated from mirror-smooth water to a class 4 rapid named "Birthday Chute". Other rapids also held similarly ominous names like Fish Pop, La Bamba, Devil's Backbone, Surprise and Snorkel.

I had rafted before and thus carried a bit of pride, but that didn't last long as the rapid called "Surprise" held true to its name. The grin on our guide's face and his advise to "just go through it full speed", made me suspect something was up. Still, being a trusting person I took his advice, and by the time I saw the rock I knew we were in for a swim...