Season 1 · Leg 2

Let's Raft the Zambezi, Then Climb the Eiffel Tower

An unofficial travel guide inspired by The Amazing Race. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by the show, its network or its producers.

Disclosure: Some links below are affiliate placeholders. If you book through them later, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only list things we'd actually recommend. (Placeholder: none of these links are live yet.)

The route map

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Pins are approximate and show the on-the-ground route in Livingstone and Paris. Download the KML for Google My Maps / Google Earth

Why go here?

Because this leg packs two trips into one. We start with the hippos and whitewater of Livingstone and end at the top of 674 stairs in Paris. It's the leg where the race stops being a field trip and turns into a sprint across hemispheres. If you've ever wanted a safari and a croissant in the same week, let's plan it.

Getting there: LA to Livingstone, home from Paris

I always check SNA and LGB first, but for Zambia every realistic routing runs through LAX. Since we're ending in Paris, I priced it as three one-way tickets instead of a round trip.

Total cost for flights: about $2,112 per adult (estimate, fares seen Oct 25, 2026; they change daily)

Where we're staying

In Livingstone, I'd go back to Avani Victoria Falls Resort for two nights, because free falls access never gets old. It's from $322 a night before taxes, or about $411 with them (Avani rooms). In Paris, I'd book Le 7 Eiffel for two nights, close enough to the tower that we can walk to our Roadblock. Rooms run €122–137 (Le 7 Eiffel).

Total cost for 4 nights: about $564 per adult, two sharing (Avani $822 + Le 7 Eiffel €274, about $307, split two ways)

Stop 1: Whitewater on the Zambezi

The teams' Fast Forward was a rafting run with Bundu Adventures, and that's the one I'd book. Their full day is $140 plus a $10 river fee, with a 15-year minimum age and a 120 kg weight limit (Bundu Adventures). Wear something you don't love, and don't fight the river. The river wins.

Running cost: $150 per adult

Stop 2: The Detour, Near or Far

Teams chose between photographing animals in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park (Near) and driving all the way to Chobe in Botswana to find an elephant (Far). I'd go Near, just like the teams did. A game drive plus the rhino walk runs about $65–105 and takes roughly three hours (Kingsfari). Bring your phone with a full battery, because the white rhinos don't do second takes.

If you've got an extra day, Far is a gorgeous bonus. A Chobe day trip from Livingstone is $195 per adult (Excurgo), and the elephants come in herds.

Running cost: $255 per adult (Near, at the top of the range)

Stop 3: Mukuni Village

The teams brought their photos to the chief at Mukuni Village. We can't recreate the ceremony, but we can visit respectfully. Maano Adventures runs a three-hour tour for $50 with a Livingstone pickup. Ask before you take photos, and buy crafts straight from the makers.

Running cost: $305 per adult

Stop 4: The Eiffel Tower stairs (Roadblock)

This was the first Roadblock ever aired, and I love that it's just stairs. We climb to the second floor and look out over the city. Stairs are €14.80, and from Sep 29, 2026 the tower requires advance booking. There's also no left luggage, so drop your bags at the hotel first (Tour Eiffel rates).

Running cost: $322 per adult

The Pit Stop: Arc de Triomphe

From the tower, we spot our next stop the same way the teams did, and walk over. The Arc is €16 from October to March (€22 from April to September). The elevator has been out since late July 2026 and is due back in 2027, so it's 284 steps to the top (Arc de Triomphe practical info). After 674 tower steps, our calves will have opinions.

Step onto that mat, look windswept and humble. That's where we'd meet Phil!

Running cost: $340 per adult

Total cost of this leg for Pit Stop Passport racers: about $3,016 per adult (estimate, two adults sharing rooms: flights $2,112 + hotels $564 + activities $340. It doesn't include transfers, meals, the Zambia visa or tips. Prices checked Oct 23–25, 2026, at €1 ≈ $1.12, and they will change.)

Family Pit Crew

This leg works with kids if we let the big rapids be a grown-up thing. I'd do the game drive and Mukuni together, then hand the stairs to the kids, because they'll beat us up the tower anyway.

Age rules, stop by stop

What I'd skip with kids. I'd let the rafting go, since the 15-year minimum makes the call for us. Chobe makes for a very long day for little ones, so I'd keep it for kids who can sit in a vehicle happily. In Paris, I'd skip the Arc climb with toddlers and admire it from the roundabout instead.

Family-friendly places to stay

• Avani Victoria Falls Resort, Livingstone. The Family Room sleeps two adults and two children, with a kids' club and pool (Avani).
• Le 7 Eiffel, Paris. Two adjoining rooms sleep four, at €122–137 each (Le 7 Eiffel).
• Generator Paris (budget pick). Family rooms for four from €160 (Generator). It's in the 10th, so plan on the Métro.

Total cost for the Family Pit Crew: about $10,882 (estimate for two adults and two kids: four sets of one-way flights at $2,112 with kids at the adult fare = $8,448; Avani Family Room 2 nights = $822; two Le 7 Eiffel rooms for 2 nights at €137 = about $614; rafting for both adults = $300; game drive for four at $105 = $420; Mukuni tour for four = $200; Eiffel stairs for two adults and two kids aged 4–11 = about $42; Arc for two adults = about $36, kids free. It excludes transfers, meals, visas and tips. Prices checked Oct 23–25, 2026.)