I want to take my family to vic falls, and would like to know what there is to do, who to go with,and if any trvel agents do packages to vic falls.

white north,

Russell Caldecott is your man. He is a personal friend of mine (and of many other AR members), and I am staying at his Ultimate lodge right now. Let me send you a few links.

Dave

http://forums.accuratereloadin...1411043/m/6751087061


http://www.facebook.com/pages/...Zimbabwe/77278381620


http://www.ultimatelodge.com/

Another vote for Russell. His guy Zwe took care of us in April.

Activities include walking along the falls, canoeing, rafting, zip lines, bungee jumps, helicopter flights, cruises on the upper Zambezi, wildlife viewing at the Safari Lodge, dinner at the Boma (the native beer should avoided) and of course viewing the goat named after A famous judge.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike70560:
and of course viewing the goat named after A famous judge.

white north,

Here is Russell's email address russcaldecott@gmail.com
and here is mine if you have any questions.
hulmour@yahoo.com

Dave

I took my family there in 2008. Vic Falls has about 3-4 days of activitys for all ages. My kids were 10, 12 and 14yo.

Any of the Hotels can book and recommend activitys for you.

http://www.afrizim.com/places/...ia_falls/activities/

The closer you get to the falls themselves the higher the accomodation prices until they reach obscene levels.

We based ourselves around the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge which had a booking office and internet just off the restaurant.

http://www.africandreamholiday...ls-safari-lodge.html

... but stayed in multi-bedroom lodges across the road.

http://www.bookvictoriafalls.c...okuthula-lodges-174/

This area is just out of the township and avoids all the noise and bustle.

'The Boma' at Vic Falls Safari Lodge is a good place to take the kids for a meal with hair plating for the girls and fortune telling, drum playing and dance competitions.

If you book in RSA or preferably Bulawayo you may get it cheaper than the walk in 'tourist' price. Try Alec Bernstein in Bulawayo. Shop 7, Old Mutual Centre Jason Moyo St and pay cash

We also looked at Gorges Lodge but it was too far out of town for us.

We opened an account with Safari lodge when we arrived and had all our meals there. They run regular shuttle bus services to Vic Falls town itself and all the tour operators pick up from there as well. All the major hotels take credit card which is linked to South Africa (via Botswana) but back then did not give out foreign currency. Things may have changed since Zim went to the $US and R.

My wife and girls did the elephant back trail ride, we all did the Zip line which was a hoot. One afternoon/evening we did a Zambezi river cruise and the private operators are best. The young bloke did the Bungi and this black duck was going no where near it. It is a long walk across the bridge to do it so take a drink. DO NOT buy food or drink from the street vendors as you will get sick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uio_whX8OI4

My son and I did the full day white water rafting which broke us. It is a long hard slog but we saw some wild country the half day riders didn't see. We met a lot of people doing that and ending up having meals with them, including an SCI member from San Duiego and his lovely wife. The cook is still in touch with her years later.

The markets are great but you will have to haggle hard and do not buy anything until you go around to every vendor. We took spare/old clothing to barter as they have none.

The Vic Falls walk is a half day. Also take your own drinking water and keep your camera water proof.

You will need three days minimum, preferably four.

I base this on 3yo info but we did it and did not feel like we got ripped off with tourist prices as we booked locally or directly. Edit: This was when Zim was at its lowest economically and there were prices for locals and tourist prices. Things have picked up now and no doubt changed.

Your family will love it and Vic Falls is a must do.

I was in Victoria Falls back in April / May of 2000. It was definately one of the highlights of my life.

IMHO go there April/May, don't go in the Summer. You'll never appreciate the falls if you go Summertime. I had a mate who went then and the Zambezi is virtually a trickle going over the falls and disappointing compared to April / May when the amount of water going over the falls is breathtaking. I did a chopper flight over the falls btw, and it was excellent!

The Boma is great value! If you are daring in what you eat and try the Mopani worm, the staff present you with a certificate stating that you ate them. I also visited the resident witch doctor as well.

Michael.

Whilst in Vic Falls a number of times I've enjoyed Helicopter fights, white water rafting, river cruses, Photo Safaris to Chobie and Wankie National Parks, sight seeing the falls, sight seeing the town of Livingston (get multi entry Visa on arrival to Zim), Fished the river, afternoon tee and scones at the classic Vic Falls Hotel, went to Casino and some clubs plus more. Obviously not all suitable for a family.

Here is a link of an African agent that we are using for next years trip. They have a lot of good information about activities, lodging, places to eat, etc for you to check out at Victoria Falls.
http://www.victoriafalls-guide.net

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


We crossed over onto the Zambia side and were taken to Livingstone Island for lunch. Really cool to be a few steps from the falls.

What not to do, is get conned into renting a raincoat !!!!!

Thank You to all, I will check all the links out. Is it still hot in April?

Much Appreciated

White North