Kulu (Alec) Banda was born and raised in Livingstone, Zambia, near the mighty Zambezi River and Victoria Falls — known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders.” In 1981, he began working on the Zambezi as a porter, carrying heavy rafts and expedition gear in and out of the steep basalt gorge below the Falls — demanding work that required exceptional strength, endurance, and knowledge of the river.
After proving himself as a porter, Kulu advanced to the role of “high sider,” a critical position on whitewater rafts where he paddled and moved his body weight to help stabilize the raft on the Zambezi's in order to prevent flips.
In 1984, Kulu began his long and distinguished career as a professional river guide on the Zambezi River, one of the world’s premier whitewater destinations. He worked for Sobek, the legendary adventure company associated with the first commercial descents of the Zambezi River. Through Sobek, Kulu traveled to the United States, where he trained and guided on numerous rivers, expanding his technical expertise and becoming part of an international generation of elite river guides.
oday, he continues to share his knowledge by mentoring young Zambezi river guides and helping preserve the culture and traditions of whitewater rafting on the river he has spent his life navigating. Kulu farms with his family in a village near Livingstone, remaining deeply connected to the land and community that shaped him.
Show notes:
00:02:13 - Building a Farm in Mkune Village
00:04:47 - Growing Fruit Trees and Community Learning
00:08:26 - Finding Peace Beyond Military Life
00:10:12 - Letting Children Choose Their Own Path
00:12:23 - Unity Beyond National Borders
00:14:04 - Open Hearts on the Zambezi River
00:15:37 - From Porter to River Guide on Zambezi
00:17:27 - From High Sider to Rafting Guide
00:19:41 - Learning to Guide on the Zambezi River
00:23:43 - Traveling Changes Life More Than Wealth
00:26:35 - Finding Freedom Through Travel and New Beginnings
00:28:50 - Zambezi River Rapids and Whitewater Guide
00:31:07 - Preserving the Zambezi River Against Dam Construction
00:33:08 - Dam Impact on River Communities and Zambezi Geology
00:35:27 - Experience the Zambezi River Now
00:37:05 - From Rafting Guide to Conservation Advocate
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","author_name":"Mandela Leola van Eeden"}