If you had a few days to spend in the Victoria Falls area, where would you stay and what would you try to see/do?

It's been some years since I was there, so I won't recommend a place to live. However, I can tell you that amongst some of the things you can do, there is:

-See the falls of course. And you may even see some animals in the bush while walking around up on the rim. We saw several antilope, including bushbuck.

-Walk over to the Zambia side, and see the falls from that angle too. Which is worth it IMO. There's a small natural pool on the edge of the waterfall where you can swim too if you dare.

-Bunji jump from the bridge.

-Take a ride in the bush on elephant back. Besides me, that I know of here on AR, I think Aspen Anne also did this and enjoyed it. (And it gives you an oppertunity to study elephants up close, so you can imagine shot placement etc. )

Have fun!

Are you staying on the Vic Falls side or Zambia? I don't think it's much trouble to cross either way for just a day trip, (a small visa fee?) but who knows what's happening TODAY. I think you have to walk??? across the bridge.

The Victoria Falls Hotel has a really wonderful buffet for dinner and a great floor show... as does the Boma, but the Boma is more touristy (but still worth the expense).

I'd do the Booze Cruise in the late afternoon before dinner (they leave from both sides of the river). I'd also do the ultra light flight as it gives you a view of the Falls that is unbelievable and I don't believe that they've crashed on in a few weeks.

The Victoria Falls Hotel has a website and they are pretty good about responding to e-mails, btw.

What about some white water rafting, be sure to buy the DVD of the trip. I have booked one of my clients at the selous Private lodge the end of 2004, he enjoyed it a lot. If you are interested I can give you their contact details. They also offers various trips around the falls

I stayed at Ultimate Africa Lodge in 2004. They arranged all my excursions, which included a full day of Tiger Fishing and a day trip to Chobe Park in Bots. I would recommend both of those if you have time. You can see the falls in about 3 hours, BTW.

Chopper ride of the Falls:





You can buy a nice video after your flight.

Elephant back game drives:







All available in the area!

I would recommend staying at the Vic Falls Hotel. Great atmosphere of times past!

I also recommend the Victoria falls hotel, and a trip to Chobe park. I'd add lunch on Livingstone Island on the Zambia side above the falls.

TerryR

quote:

Originally posted by Jaco Human:
What about some white water rafting, be sure to buy the DVD of the trip.

Do they do River boarding in Vic Falls nowadays? If so, this is also a lot of fun. At least if you aren't afraid to go in the water.

River boarding. Watch out for the crocs!

ErikD:

I yield to no one in my admiration for Norwegians and going back a long ways (I'm 76). I am also aaware from reading your posts that you have been in many far and curious places and qualify as a Marco Polo type of traveler. Having said this let me just add one tiny criticism - You suggest bunji jumping at Victoria Falls? I want to be measured and calm when I come to disagree with a Viking. ARE YOU INSANE! DOES YOUR WIFE KNOW YOU ARE OUT OF THE HOUSE? (THis old man secretly envies guys who can think this way)

Gerry,

I haven't jumped from the Vic Falls bridge. But I have jumped from the the highest commercial bungee jump in the southern hemisphere; the Bloukrans Bridge, which is situated in a region just east of the southern tip of Africa in RSA. And I'd have to say that it isn't as scary as it might seem, and is over way too quickly. In fact it was kind of a let down IMO. So I'm sure the jump from the lower Vic Falls bridge (50 meters lower?) is a piece of cake for those who might be inclined to do such a thing.

Those are some great ideas, thanks all. I especially like the elephant back game drives. That has to be a hoot.

I've stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel twice in the past, and it is a fine place.

Three years ago, though, I stayed at the Thorntree Lodge on the Zambia side. My 23-year-old granddaughter and I were picked up at Mugabwe's Vic Falls airport and driven across the bridge by lodge staff.

The lodge is upstream outside of Livingstone. It's small, but friendly. We stayed in randaavals on the river's bank and took sundown river cruises and found elephant tracks and dung in the yard. I enjoyed the place more than the more formal atmosphere of the Vic Falls Hotel.

I visited a small national park a short distance away (it was overpopulated and overgrazed and overbrowsed) while she strapped on a harness and "flew" on a cable into a deep canyon.

It was my first view of the falls from the Zambia side and I was disappointed. The viewing path was so close to the water that we could see the falls through the mist from only two places. The view from Zimbabwe is much better IMO.

Bill Quimby

We stayed at the Kingdom, The Vic Falls Hotel. and at the Ultimate Guest Lodge on different trips. All are great. You might include a day at the Chobe National Park to see 500+ elephants or a half day trip to Chobe a half-day on the Chobe River, with lunch at the Chobe Game Lodge there, or at the Elephant Bar, where the eles come to the water holes 50 yards from the bar. Jeff

Just got back from Vic Falls. You can check out my one really good pic of the falls on my hunt report on Zambezi Hunters. We stayed at the Vic Falls Hotel. You will feel very colonial! We had dinner at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge a short van ride away. We actually met the manager, Heath Dhana, he was very cordial and was excited to have a few "Americans" at his place. The meal and entertainment was great.

Be careful at the open markets and when walking to the falls, I would walk with the "Tourist Police" identified by their bright vests. It is about a 10K walk to the Zanbia side of the falls from the Vic Falls Hotel. I would take a cab back if I had it to do over again. There is a visa charge crossing into Zambia but it's like 10 or 20 US. Worth the extra stamp on your Passport.

Have a great time.

Dr. Tim

If there between September and January (lower water), raft/riverboard or tandem kayak (or get kayak lessons, even better).

The Zam is the KING of rivers!

All the other mentions are good too.

I would have to agree with Jeff. Spend a couple of hours viewing the falls and then head out to Chobe National Park. If you have a couple of days, see if you can hook up with a mobile safari and spend all that time in Chobe. (Make arrangements for the safari in advance.)

In this day and age of Zimbabwe one can get a good deal on a package which includes white water rafting, heli flight over Vic falls nat park and a Booz cruse. All at a price that use to be the price just for the rafting.
Late season the Tiger fishing can be great above the falls as would a couple days in Chobe Nat Park.
Russels ULTIMATE LODGE is a great place to stay for hunters.
PS, A sundowner at Victoria Falls Hotel is a must sir.
ozhunter

I can recommend Illala Lodge for a few days of luxury post hunt. Also, as ozhunter suggested, having a sundowner or two at Victoria Falls Hotel is a MUST.

quote:

Originally posted by ErikD:

quote:

Originally posted by Jaco Human:
What about some white water rafting, be sure to buy the DVD of the trip.

Do they do River boarding in Vic Falls nowadays? If so, this is also a lot of fun. At least if you aren't afraid to go in the water.

River boarding. Watch out for the crocs!

I did the full day trip way back in 1993 with Shearwater, it was an incredible experince, the bad part was the 1000m climb out of the gorge at the end. The reward was the unlimited cold beers once you reach the top. The rapids was much more scary than the few crocs that was sunbathing. Luckily the crocs don't venture in the rapids. Make sure you don't fall out in the calm waters, that can change you in a croc meal

Even though it is a bit out of the way Hwange park is 2 1/2 hours away to the south as well. My wife and I had the most splendid day in any reserve in the whole of South Africa. We got there just after 7 am seeing 5 vehicles and the next time we saw anybody else was 5pm

Lots of eles especially bulls.

I stayed with Russell Caldecott at his Ultimate Guest Lodge last month. ultimate@africaonline.co.zw or ultimate@mweb.co.zw

They are good people. I fished the Zambezi for tigers for a full day, but would probably just fish the morning if I had to do it again. We did all our best fishing before noon. We fished, kept our eyes on hippos and crocs. Had an elephant bull mock-charge from the bank, and scream at us when I cast my bait too close, in his opinion. Watched kudu come in late in the afternoon.

Back at the lodge we had some great conversations late around the fire.

The falls of course was a sight. Needed my wife there.

If you want to shop cross to the Zambia side. Not much in the shops on the Zim. side.

Maybe I went on an off day? I was there about three years ago, the PH asked if I wanted to ride into town for supplies. There were very few tourists there, the ones I saw were mostly orientals, the area around the falls appeared unkept and rundown, the bars, hotels and restaurants were pretty much empty, the shops had mostly cheap trinkets, they did not appear to take local currency for admission to the falls. The falls themselves were impressive, but it was not a place I would put on my list of places to rush back to. I was glad to get back to hunting.

At the Old Vic Falls Hotel while dining in the Livingstone Room, avoid the crocodile tail soup.

So is any particular month better than the others to visit the falls? I'll be there next Sept.

Scott,

I also vote for river rafting the Zambezi.

Here are some photos of me and my wife prior to our 2001 hunt





Good luck and have a GREAT hunt!!!!

Tim

Damn, that makes our Snake River look tame!

EricD:

I always regarded bunji jumping with a sort of horrified fascination. Even at your age I would not have done it. (I'm a perfect representative of man's oldest fear - the fear of falling. It's why babies holler if not held firmly) You do fascinate me as a daredevil type. I'm beginning to understand how the Vikings discovered America! ( I don't know about you but I'm heading for a bomb shelter if the 'Columbus' supporters read this!)