General FAQs

1. Register for a rafting tour if you can swim, or at least dare to jump into the pool without reservations.
2. During the spring snowmelt and after rains, the water flow of the rivers increases. At this time, rafting is more exciting, the waves are bigger, the current is stronger. Less recommended for children.
3. In summer, the lower water level is favorable for families with small children. At this time, the chance of capsizing is lower.
4. The use of mind-altering substances is prohibited before and during a rafting tour. Being under the influence of alcohol or drugs will result in exclusion from the tour.
5. You can participate in a rafting tour with slightly limited mobility or other health complaints, but ask the organizer's opinion before registering, and be sure to inform your tour guide before the tour!
6. Don't forget your essential medications at home! Give them to your tour guide on the tour and inform him/her about your illness.
7. Most tours take photos. Don't risk your phone or camera, which can easily break, get lost in the water, or get wet. When registering, ask if photos are taken.
8. All you need to bring is a swimsuit/swimsuit for the tour. Neoprene clothing and shoes are usually provided by the organizing company. After the tour – especially in spring and autumn – warm clothes are good.
9. The difficulty of whitewater rivers is classified from 1 to 6. Levels 2-3 are a good adventure – even with children – and level 4 is exciting whitewater, where you have to hold on or paddle hard. Level 5 is a dangerous, rapid, organized rafting tour on whitewater of this difficulty is only organized in very few places. Only the most daring extreme athletes dare to go on the 6th. Find out about the difficulty level of the selected river and choose a tour according to your abilities / needs.
10. Rafting is an extreme sport. While rafting, you can get drowned, float, or get injured. Of course, this is not typical, but it cannot be ruled out 100 percent. Never go rafting without extended travel insurance.

 
HungaroRaft organizes whitewater rafting on the Soča River in Slovenia, the Salza River in Austria, and the Tara River in Montenegro. The three rivers are completely different in character.

The Soča is 560km from Budapest, and can be reached by highway in about 6 hours. It awaits visitors with a well-developed infrastructure, a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, bars, a supermarket, a bakery, a pastry shop, a playground, and in addition to rafting, it offers a variety of different adventure programs. HungaroRaft has a permanent base in Bovec, open every day of the week. We recommend the Soča in the summer season for families with small children, while the entire season is ideal for company programs and for those who want intense weekend experiences after the weekday drive.

Getting to the Tara River is already a challenge. It takes at least 10 hours to cover the approximately 700km. However, it is definitely worth the strenuous journey. You should set aside at least 5 days for this program. The Tara Canyon is the deepest canyon in Europe, reaching 1300 meters in places. The area is a national park under UNESCO protection. The river is 86km long and can be paddled with a ww 2-4 strength, which ideally takes 3 days to cover. A real tourist atmosphere, a wild and romantic environment, and waterfalls make the rafting tour unique. In connection with the program, it is worth planning a trip to Durmitor or visiting the enchanting and very exciting Nevidió Canyon for a canyoning tour.

In Austria, the Salza is the citadel of 2-3 person whitewater canoe / miniraft tours. This river is the closest to Hungary. 420km, which can be reached by car in 4.5 hours. The Salza ww is a white water of strength 2-3, which can be completed individually under the supervision of professional tour guides, thus providing a great sense of achievement. Two sections of the river can be paddled, which divides the entire distance into two half-day tours. The settlements are quiet alpine villages, with few opportunities for entertainment.
 

 
In Slovenia, rafting on the Soča is allowed from March 15 to October 31. You can combine the very early start with skiing, which is a truly special experience. However, the real rafting season starts at the end of April, as the weather warms up. At this time, the snow begins to melt and the water level gradually rises. In May, the current is usually stronger, the waves are bigger, and rafting is more exciting. From the second half of June, the river becomes quieter, providing ideal conditions for families and children. The summer period is usually more crowded, so it is worth booking both accommodation and the program months in advance. Autumn usually presents our guests with calm, atmospheric whitewater tours and beautiful nature.

In Montenegro, it is worth considering a shorter season on Tara, because the snow melts late in Durmitor and the air cools down early in autumn in Europe's deepest canyon. Due to limited accommodation options, it is worth booking at least six months in advance.
 

 
Many companies organize rafting or whitewater canoeing tours on the rivers of neighboring countries. Some of these are Hungarian, some are local, or mixed businesses. Occasional tour organizers who send groups out every 3-4 weeks may not work with tour guides with sufficient experience and routine. Few of the tour guides who are not full-time are qualified. It is worth checking this out. Local companies are experienced in organizing tours, and they probably have all the permits, but language difficulties can be a problem in some situations. Hungarian companies with a long history that send groups out on a weekly basis are generally reliable in terms of tour guiding/organization quality. It is worth checking which company has a tour operator license, because officially only those travel agencies can sell packages, i.e. programs with accommodation, insurance, travel, meals, etc. The list of tour operators can be viewed at http://mkeh.gov.hu/kereskedelmi/idegenforg_nyilv/utazasszerv. The condition of the equipment is telling, which can be easily judged by a layman in the gallery or from the pictures on the internet. Online booking or transfer is more reliable than on-site or cash payment. Coupon and other half-price rafting / canyoning offers are hiding some kind of twist. Look carefully, because cheap meat is thin...

HungaroRaft is a registered travel agency. It welcomes its guests with qualified equipment, 20 years of experience, trained and licensed tour guides, and a permanent base in Bovec.