Rapid ride down the Zambezi

The first time I got into a boat on the Zambezi it was a mercifully sturdy affair.

I say this because seconds after we left the shore, a seven-foot crocodile pulled up alongside us. Later that day, I boarded a boat on the Zambezi for the second time. This time it was to attempt a rafting journey down 21 of the world's fastest commercially run rapids, just below the thundering Victoria Falls. Somehow the prospect of plunging over a rapid called 'Oblivion' or 'Commercial Suicide' seemed more appealing than being eaten alive by a croc.

But when I saw the white water, I changed my mind. 'Don't worry,' the instructor said, 'you'll never be under for more than a few seconds.' And I barely had time to worry before we were plunging down a 20ft rapid. Although the experience was scary, in between the rapids were stretches of still water - perfect for recovering one's composure (and paddle, where necessary).

The one part of my rafting adventure where I could have done with a lot less adrenaline was during the climb out of the gorge. Before we began the trip, a 'bit of a pull' was mentioned but not a 70-storey vertical haul up a ladder made of branches. As we huffed and puffed our way to the top, the instructors trotted past with helpful comments like: 'Don't worry, one fat-arse South African took three hours to do this.'

Safely at the top (for the record, I made it in 40 minutes), we were greeted with sandwiches and cold beers and then returned to the luxurious River Club for some pampering. Nothing, however, could persuade me to attempt the Victoria Falls bungee jump. If I had to choose between risking my life on the end of a piece of elastic or in the jaws of a crocodile, I'd go for the crocodile every time.

A seven-night Adrenaline Package at the River Club in Zambia costs from £1,722. Contact Time for Africa (01798 867 750) for details.