From a ski slope in New Zealand to the rapids of the Zambezi, this is the origin story of Water By Nature — and how 20 years of rafting, exploration and global connection came to be.
A Love for Adventure That Started in Queenstown
The story of Water By Nature began unexpectedly in Queenstown, New Zealand, where I was working as a ski patroller. One day, I spotted an advert in the local newspaper for a Raft Guide School run by Queenstown Rafting (previously Kawerau Rafts).
I signed up — and within days, I knew this was what I wanted to do with my life.
Even on my days off, I’d show up hoping there’d be room for an extra guide so I could jump in a boat. After two solid years of training, rafting New Zealand’s rivers through summer and winter alike, I decided it was time to travel the world by river.
A Global Education in Whitewater
Over the next few years, I guided expeditions across Switzerland, Italy, Zimbabwe, Nepal, the USA, Canada, Australia, and Israel. Each destination offered new rapids to run and new lessons to learn — about logistics, guiding, local cultures, and the value of connection.
Eventually, while working in Switzerland, I bought the gear to launch a company of my own.
And so, Water By Nature was born — with the mighty Zambezi River as our first operating base.
Morocco and the Peugeot 205: Our First Expedition
Wanting to expand into new destinations, I planned our first exploratory expedition to Morocco. But we only had one set of gear — so I packed it all (rafts, kayak, kitchen barrels, coolers, and more) into and onto my Peugeot 205 and set off from the UK.
We sold the idea to 14 adventurous travellers — including a film crew — and promised at least two rivers. What followed was an incredible journey on the Oum Er Rbia and the Ahansel River, the latter of which is still a staple of our Morocco trips today.
That trip helped solidify what Water By Nature would stand for:
Global adventure
Meaningful connection
A sense of fun and discovery in everything we do
Why We Don’t Just Run One River
It would be far simpler to focus on just one destination. But that’s not my passion.
I love the challenge of running expeditions across the world — from Papua New Guinea to Colombia — solving logistical puzzles and bringing guests into untouched, awe-inspiring environments.
Our incredible guide team helps make that possible today. And no matter how much we grow, I never forget where I came from — or the many wonderful guests who helped build this company over the past 20+ years.
Always Striving for More
We’re always looking ahead:
Exploring new destinations
Refining safety protocols
Innovating guest experience
And protecting the future of the rivers we love — including finding alternatives as developments like the proposed Zambezi dam threaten iconic sections of whitewater
With over 80% of our guests returning for a second (or third!) trip, we know this isn’t just about rafting — it’s about capturing the spirit of a country through adventure.
Why We Do It
At its core, Water By Nature exists to:
Make people happy
Create life-changing travel experiences
Share the joy and camaraderie of rivers and remote places
We’re here to take you off the beaten path — not just to paddle, but to discover something new about the world (and yourself).
We hope to welcome you on an adventure soon.
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