Dear All,

I need to arrange a layover for a couple of days in Vic Falls in mid-September 2008. I did a search here, and it looks like this may be a good bet for an affordable, safe place to stay:

quote:

Russell Caldecott, Ultimate Guest Lodge, ultimate@africaonline.co.zw or ultimate@mweb.co.zw

Can any of you confirm that this place is still in operation and is still a reasonable place to stay?? Contact information still valid?? Book direct or via an agent?? How far out of town is this??

I have maybe 2.5 days in Vic Falls (just in case my luggage needs to catch up). Half a day should be enough to see the falls, and perhaps have dinner or a sundowner at the Vic Falls Hotel.

I was thinking of going on a game drive of Chobe one day - it was a great place when I went last, about 5-6 years ago. Also, are the cruises on the Zambezi (presumably above the Falls) worth the time?? I did a cruise on Lake Kariba, and there was lots of game to look at - likewise on the Chobe River.

Any comments on those suggestions for activites, when and how long to go, with whom to book etc etc?? (Sorry, I won't be bungee jumping or white water rafting, put it down to old age if you must... ).

Thanks for any help in advance.

- mike

Can't comment on the lodging, I stayed at the Vic Falls Hotel, but I suggest that you do lunch on Livingston Island. The Hotel should be able to set it up.

Russell is still up and running. He is actually expanding his lodge. I have stayed with him several times. He runs a tight ship and you cannot beat his prices. He is an ex PH, and because of an accident is confined to a wheel chair. He really takes care of hunters. He has people that will escort you around town if you want to shop and see the sights so you will not get ripped off. Very nice rooms with good food at about a third of the big hotels in town.

My wife and I stayed at the Vic Falls Safari Lodge and it was great. Great rooms, restaurants and bar (The Buffalo Bar). There is a place in the hotel that will arrange activities for you.

We did the 1/2 day canoe trip on the Upper Zambezi, the helicopter ride over the Falls, and the river cruise. We missed out on Chobe although I paid for it.

My recommendation to everyone though is to avoid at all costs the booking agent Zambezi Travel Company. This company defrauded me of $1,350 and essentially abandoned my wife in I in Vic Falls to fend for ourselves.

I will second the Ultimate Lodge. It is run by a hunter for hunters you just rent the rooms for the night rather than making a down payment on the Hotel.

Russel treated me great the place and food were good. (his wife is a knockout!) I would stay again in a second.
Dean

That is way cool guys. First hand experience. You can't beat AR!

- mike

Mike,

I'm sure all the places mentioned offer more than fine accommodations. If your thinking you might only do it once there is nothing like the ambience at the Victoria Falls Hotel. It just reeks "Old Africa". They can also help you arrange a number of activities.

The only thing I thought was not a good value was the evening boat ride above the falls. They offered beer so I didn't really care but we didn't see hardly any animals. It would probably have been romantic if there were not a boat load of people and the motor did not have to be run at full throttle to push the boat.

Mark

I absolutely recommend Russell Caldecott and the Ultimate Guest Lodge. He has pretty much limited his clients to hunting and fishing clients and it's a great relaxing place to unwind after a long flight or a long hunt.

Just hanging around there in the evening to talk with the other hunters, PH's and miscellaneous locals is worth the price alone, the food is good too. They will happily shuttle you to the Vic Falls Hotel for drinks and/or dinner and then pick you up as well! You should at least do a sundowner there!

You are right that the tour of the falls can be done very quickly depending on how many photos you want to take. If you stay a 1/2 day there you will likely be very wet at the end!

Russell and his staff will be happy to arrange any sightseeing and fishing that you wish.

It will be warmish there in September, take a swim suit.

Good Hunting.

Les

We came in one morning - saw the falls and did all the hiking around. The next morning we did the sunrise cruise of the Zambezi River. Saw Chobe Bushbuck, Crocs, Hippo's (ton's), elephants, all kindsof things. The tour guide told us most people go in the middle of the day or the evening, but to see the animals he said early is best.

Another vote for Russell at Ultimate. Nice place and very accomodating. He also runs tiger fishing trips on the river with good equipment. That might work into your schedule.

Hi mho
It sounds like you have all the advise you need on a place to stay. I would really reccomend the Chobe boat cruise either early or evening. We took the evening trip and saw so much wildlife it was incredible. At least three hundred elephant. It is way better than the Chobe game reserve drive.
Take good care and have a great trip.
Dave

Get a hold of beth Carpenter or Kylie?? at cansaf if you want activities organised - from elephant rides to helicpter - both sides of the river. walk with lions, flying fox rides, white water rafting etc - all one email!

beth@cansaf.com or phone 263-13-43352 or 45986 or alternative email andrew@cansaf.com

Guys, you are an inexhaustible fountain of knowledge. Thanks a ton!

- mike

Shame you are not doing the White Water Rafting...that was probably the best adventure-day I have ever had in my life.

Stay with Russell. Fish half a day (morning)on the Zambezi for tiger fish with his guide. The man is good, as was the fishing.

Sitting around the fire pit and talking with Russell and his friends into the wee hours was well worth the price of admission.

I will be there in mid-September myself. I hope it is warmer, than July 2006. It was cold getting up in the morning that time of year.

Kensco, assuming I manage to book into the "Ultimate", I'll be there from the 13'th -16'th of Sep. It would be fun to hook up.

UKHunter, I like being on the water, but somehow I never warmed to whitewater rafting (possibly at my loss). I don't know, it always seemed an activity where I was not in control, so I always preferred canoes.

- mike

Another vote for Russell. I saw the Falls in the morning and went fishing in the afternoon. Watching the sunset on the Zambezi from a boat is a great experience.

When I got back to the lodge several local PH's stopped by and we all sat around the fire drinking beer and telling stories while our steaks were cooking.

Doug

Stayed at the Vic falls hotel but had dinner with Russell.

He was friends with my PH his hopitality was excellent. While we were there wee saw the rooms and would not have a problem staying there or reccomending his accomodations.

Russell went out of his way to make you feel at home

I stayed with Russell in 2005, and he would be my first choice if I ever stay in Vic Falls again. He has a very nice and hunter friendly lodge -- walls are covered with mounts of large African animals and fish, and it's safe!

The Vic Fall Hotel is worth seeing. Alot of history there and on its walls. Kind of shows you what Zimbabwe was like before.

A walk along the falls is a definate must. Maybe an evening cruise on the Zambezi. When I was there, Russell had a new bass boat and did fishing trips on the Zambezi. If you're into fishing and have the time, this would be well worth it.

I've only stayed at two places at Vic Falls. One was the Victoria Falls Hotel, and both times were great experiences because, as someone said above, it reeks of old Africa. On my last trip, though, I was told U.S. citizens pay more than others for lodging on the Zim side and decided to stay on the Zambian side.

I booked with the Thorntree Lodge smack on the river outside Livingstone. It can accommodate only a few guests but the service and ambiance are excellent. We were picked up at the airport in Zimbabwe, and driven across to Zambia. Fishing was out the back door, and sundowners were served on a pontoon boat on the river. Tours of all kinds can be arranged.

Problem is, I much prefer the view of the falls from the Zimbabwe side.

When I was there the mist in 2002 was so thick on the Zambian side we couldn't see them.

Bill Quimby