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| Zimbabwe: What to see | |||
| Victoria Falls | |||
>see photographs Overview One of the greatest attractions in the world, the Victoria Falls is not to be missed. The Falls and tourist town of Victoria Falls are situated in the western most part of Zimbabwe. The mighty Zambezi River is 1.7 km wide at the point where it plunges from a maximum height of 107 metres into the gorge below. Known by the locals as "Mosi oa Tunya" meaning "the smoke that thunders" there are actually five separate falls that make up the Victoria Falls. This is the world's largest falling sheet of water – during the flood stage between March and May as much as 5 million cubic metres per minute pass over the edge into the chasm creating spray often as high as 500 metres up into the air. The walk through the rainforest (which can be very wet) provides some of the best views of the Falls, as well as some close encounters with wildlife such as mongoose, bushbuck, vervet monkeys and warthog. Attractions and Activities Offering a myriad of possibilities, the problem most visitors have is trying to prioritise what they most want to do in the time available to them. Besides the 'must do minimum half day of seeing the Falls' the following options are available: Leisurely and laid back: wine route canoeing, visit the Crocodile Ranch, elephant back safaris, fishing safaris, helicopter or fixed wing flights over the Falls, horseback safaris, sundowner cruises, game drives and guided walks in the Victoria Falls National Park. Adrenalin adventure:bungi jumping, canoeing, gorge swinging, kayaking, microlighting, river boarding, ultralighting, whitewater rafting. The hotels all offer various sporting facilities – the only golf course is at the Elephant Hills Hotel Inter-Continental and is a memorable "safari-golf" experience. On a less active and more cultural note one can visit the Traditional Craft Village, or watch the evening production of the African Spectacular Tribal Dancing Show. Two superb culinary experiences are having dinner at: the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (be sure to call and reserve a table in advance specifying to be at the edge of the balcony), and at the Boma Restaurant (in the same complex) offering a unique local experience that has won it many awards. Victoria Falls has casinos, bars and nightclubs that offer entertainment later into the night and early hours. When to go The Falls are at their lowest just before the rains in October/November. The smaller volume of water means less spray and better views. When the River is full there is more thunder and drama, but visibility is poorer. It is worthwhile to try and coincide your visit with the rising of the full moon, when the Park stays open later allowing one to witness a lunar rainbow over the Falls. Accommodation Victoria Falls itself offers a wide variety of superb accommodation ranging from five star hotels such as the romantic and colonial Victoria Falls Hotel (one of The leading Hotels of the World), to resorts such as The Kingdom, to the more middle market are Ilala Lodge and the Rainbow Hotel. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge has been voted the best safari lodge in Zimbabwe now for several years, and the Elephant Hills Hotel Inter-Continental is a choice venue for its conference facilities and golf course. There are smaller and more personalised establishments, as well as luxury safari lodges further "out of town" that have access to all the action and yet one can retreat to the serenity of the bush in the evenings for fine dining and discussion of the day's activities. These include Elephant Camp, Gorges Lodge, Imbabala Safari Camp, Sekuti's Drift, Masuwe Lodge, Matetsi Water Lodge, Matetsi Safari Camp. How to get there By road Approximately 440 km from Bulawayo on a main tar road. Access by tar from Kasane in Botswana is only an hour's drive. By air There are frequent flights into Victoria Falls airport from Johannesburg and Harare. Direct flights from London to Livingstone airport in Zambia (other side of Victoria Falls) as well as Victoria Falls airport are currently being considered. Several private charter companies also fly directly into Victoria Falls from Kariba, Hwange, and Botswana. |
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