Folks, I've just booked some quality time to be spent with the Duckworths for August/Sept 2013. Two weeks touring followed by a hunt at Mokore in the Save. This tour starts in Harare and includes stops at Kariba, Mana Pools, Nyanga and Ghonerezhou.
We are planning on doing a small self tour of Vic Falls prior so I'm after some info from those of you that have "been there, done that". Things like where to stay, what to do, how long to stay etc. Your input would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bill

Bill,

I think you'd get more out of the Falls if you hired a guide. It can be arranged for $200 per day for the guide and vehicle. The guide will know everything that is available and all the details about activities. I know it would be money well spent.

Mark

The only bad thing is at that time of the year the falls are not at their most impressive stage. I flew over comming out of the Omay and then did the chopper fly over, which was nice but the falls just don't show themselves in all their glory at that time of the year. I stayed at the Ultimate Lodge which is no longer in operation (last I heard) the lodge was directed toward hunters not tourist. Not glitzy just comfortable.

Through our associates we can assist with activities, transfers, tours etc, PM me or email Candy on admin@nehimba.com

Mart

there are dozens of things to do around the falls, from hang gliders, to raft trips to sunset cruises. I haven't been there in a long time, but if it is still around the safari lodge is a great place for sundowners while watching animals to into the waterhole. (that's the place peter capstick bar tended at). and of course there is the market place. the vic falls hotel is quite a trip back into time, but expensive.

We stayed at the Royal Livingstone for two days before flying into the Luangwe Valley in 2009. It was luxurious and they could arrange anything you wanted to do around the falls.

Right on the Zambezi, "Smoke that Thunders" in the background.


Personal butler for every room.


Warning though, if you want to go out and jump into the Devil's Pool right on the top edge of the falls,
you better be a pretty good swimmer just to get out to the pool. We weren't specifically informed of that part
by the Zambian Safety Administration. There was a rope downstream to grab onto if you couldn't make it.

We've done the helicopter fly over, the sunset cruise, the Boma Restaurant, toured the old Vic Falls Hotel and the newest hotel that Mugabe stays at, had dinner at another lodge one evening that overlooked a watering hole (quite nice too), walked the Falls paths from one end to the other,watched the bungee jumpers (didn't jump and didn't want to either),shopped at the big flea market and other stores,etc. etc. All of it was fun and exciting.

http://www.afrizim.com/activit...ingstone/Picnics.asp


Lunch on Livingstone Island right on the Falls is incredible (see link). Victoria Falls Hotel is like going back in time, FANTASTIC place.

Good luck and enjoy your trip.

I have been to Vic Falls twice.
Once when the water flow was at its lowest, once when it was at its highest.

The difference between the two was dramatic.
Both times it was most impressive.
The sound of the water at full flow, and the scenery of the rocks at minimal flow.

I consider myself very lucky to have seen both extremes.

What ever time of year you go, you will not be disappointed.

Seeing Vic Falls is well worth the trip.

make sure you keep the doors closed at the safari lodge, especially the veranda. vervets love to come in your room and eat the sugar packets. their teeth look like a lions, when ones 3 feet from u and snarling while your tryin' to shoosh him out.

boma has great food and local at that. eat a side of mopane worms and they give u a nice certificate to frame. i did mine.

go on an elephant ride and they video tape it ,edit it and sell u a copy while enjoying refreshments after the ride.

i also did a rhino tour in zambia. couldn't see any from the vehicle . so inquired at the local village, found the rhinos and the guard. for a few pesos "tip" (bribe is such an ugly word) , the guard took me withn him for some up close and personal pictures and video taping. the tour guide will leave u with him as this is frowned upon and pick u up later. no leaving the vehicle.must book this trip alone, iffin ya wanna go for walk. otherwise,blah,blah,blah

the lodges will have a list of activities for you. i'd book asap as they can fill up during high season or take longer to put together during less demand.

I was in Vic falls year. I drove up there from joberg. I spent a few days in a very simple backpackers lodge, If you're looking for cheap accomodation you should have look at the backpacker places.

I do highly recommend that you go very early in the park, because the big crowd of tourists arrive later. The park is quite small and it's horrible with all the tourists. In the early morning you can enjoy the sunrise with only a handfull other people.

First saw the falls in 1988 and it was a good flow, then again a couple of times, when it was lesser - droughr etc.

One visit I was the only white tourist in the whole Zim Vic Falls Park (2002). Some local boys and students and one Zim "tourist" who I think was a plains clothes guard/cop.

Worth crossing the border to the Zambia side and viewing it from there to. Can walk along the top of the falls to wherever the water starts.

White water rafting, a full day, is good fun. I've used Sobek (Zambia) both times.

A flight over the falls is a must.

An above the falls river sunset cruise is also nice.

The Vic Falls Hotel used to do a nice buffet and evening show/music. No idea what it is doing now.

I think there was an African cultural entertainment show somewhere near too, in the evening, but might be wrong ie different location (?).

Edited to add:
Probably is the Boma already mentioned.

quote:

Entertainment
A feast of nightly entertainment incorporates the energy of the traditional Ndebele and Shangaan dancers who perform nightly around the Boma fire.

Steeped in mystery, a witchdoctor adds a touch of drama by predicting the future.

After dinner guests are invited to wile away the evening with the restaurant's very own sangoma - a traditional story teller - to learn more about the country's folk-lore, culture and heritage.

The ladies can have the opportunity to have their hair braided in the traditional way

As always some good stuff here. I had heard of the Boma however not the "worm lunch", might be interesting. Kathi, that island lunch, although expensive, would be amazing. Although the swim at the lip of the falls will be a NO GO. I couldn't talk my good wife into that even if I sedated her to unconsciousness!!

Bill,

My family and I will be visiting Victoria Falls this July for the first time. The below website for Victoria Falls Guide has great information of the accomodations, activities, places to eat, etc. We eneded up going through them to book our accomadations, transports & activities. They will be happy to answwer questions for you.

http://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/

Randy

My wife and I will be there in Oct!!!!
Good info and I can't wait!!!

quote:

Originally posted by BillsBillsBills:
As always some good stuff here. I had heard of the Boma however not the "worm lunch", might be interesting. Kathi, that island lunch, although expensive, would be amazing. Although the swim at the lip of the falls will be a NO GO. I couldn't talk my good wife into that even if I sedated her to unconsciousness!!

the mopane worms weren't bad. panfried and crispy. of course i had had a big glass of the local beer that you have to strain through your teeth as you drink it. the fortune teller was a real hoot too, traditional dancers were nice. all in all, the Boma is well worth eating at. the microlight flight( which, after the pilot kills the engine for soaring) leaves from the Zam side and is not to be missed. bungee jump times 2 was the overall highlight of everything. i would likewise recommend staying at the Vic Falls Safari lodge but over on the cottage/ rondavel side( i forget the name of it but it is on the grounds of the overall property and is actually closer to the Boma than the lodge IIRC) and not in the main lodge building. its great having your own cottage and terrace/braii where the warthogs and monkeys come begging for food as you have your morning coffee. when we tried to check in our rondavel we had to wait an hour because an elephant was browsing on the landscaping and wouldn't allow us to get by and get in the door.

Jerry you mean " Lokhuthula "

Marty

Randy,
That web-site has a lot of info on it. Could take a while to sift through. Have a good time on your trip!

Bill

My wife and I visited in early July 2009 and stayed at the Victoria Falls Hotel.She is a grand old gal,a bit worn and suffering a bit from 30-40% occupancy but with a wonderful staff,incredible views and well situated. Most of the newer hotels on the Zim side had similar occupancies.The queen stayed here many years ago. We'd do it again. The falls were roaring that year. One day walk to the park on theZim side and bring a poncho or light rain suit(or rent one).Ther were only 10 or 12 other tourists on the poor Zim side. Then WITH YOUR PASSPORTS walk across the bridge to the rich Zambia side ($20 I believe) and get wet there.The park,there, will be crowded with local families,school groups,church groups and tourists and is vibrant........and different,but not more beautiful than Zim. Then walk back. The vendors are tenacious,and pesky on the Zim side and will follow for long distances. In Zambia they were content to stay in their stalls and let us come to them.You'll be able to watch or participate I'm the bungee jump,enroute.
Save a day for a trip to Chobe Nat'l Park in Botswana....the AM is a cruise through the delta waterways and the PM is a game drive. Lots of game there and on the road to and from Chobe.....and lots of birds.
The sunset cruise above the Falls was fun and a nice start to our first evening there; met some interesting people and shared a few beers. You can also do a full day tour of Hwange...we did not do this. I 'd give 2.5 to 3.5 days to Vic falls......and yes the helicopter tour to truly understand the falls.

Depending on time and weather tiger fishing and rafting are considerations......next time for us. The best tiger fishing is downriver ,however. You can't go wrong. Jim

Wild Horizons offers some great packages I have sent through a list via PM

Hi Bill

Your are in for a great trip all round! While not Vic Falls Nyanga where you say you are visiting is my favorite place in Zim.

I have just returned from The Giraezi which is the most stunning river with two basic cottages in the middle of no where with about 20km of great trout fishing and super walks- let me know if your Nyanga trip is organized and if not I will happily help you out or tell Mel about the details- well worth the trip Bill!!!

We were in Livingstone during the second week of September 2011, on our honeymoon after hunting the Luangwa and it was incredible!

It didn't hurt to have her on arm, either...