The array of activities available at Victoria Falls, the Adventure Capital of Africa, is so extensive that choosing what to do can be overwhelming. Here are 5 bucket list activities not to be missed at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Zambia:
1. Microlight Flight over Victoria Falls
Soar over Victoria Falls in a microlight, seeing this unforgettable natural wonder in its full glory from a whole new perspective. With the microlight aircraft, you get to feel the wind in your hair from the open cockpit as you soak up breathtaking views of the Falls.
Half hour trips fly over Victoria Falls, the Batoka Gorge, Zambezi National Park in Zimbabwe and Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia, giving you the chance to spot game from above. The Flight of Angels by microlight carries one passenger, a wing-mounted camera and the pilot over the roaring Zambezi up close to Vic Falls.
2. Ride the Royal Livingstone Express
See the mighty Falls from the comfort of one of the first class lounges or the cocktail bar on this old-era Victorian steam train. Crossing the historic Victoria Falls Bridge the steam train stops, allowing passengers to fully appreciate the spectacular views of the mighty Vic Falls. Stopping on the bridge you can tuck into gourmet treats and sip on champagne from some 111 metres above the floor of the deep gorge. Sunset trips across the more than 100-year-old bridge take you into the Zambezi National Park in Zambia to spot game, including Africa’s Big Five.
The Royal Livingstone Express is operated by Sun International and Bushtracks Africa, who together with Rovos Rail restored this grand old train. The gourmet cuisine served onboard is prepared by the five-star Royal Livingstone Hotel, Sun International’s flagship hotel in Zambia.
3. Catch a Tigerfish in the Zambezi River
The Zambezi River is one of the best places on the planet to go big game fishing and is particularly renowned for its superb tiger fishing opportunities. The Tiger Fish is considered the greatest fighting fish of all the freshwater species in the world.
The Zambezi is an angling and flyfishing enthusiast’s paradise with great fishing year-round, although the warmer months (September to March) are best. For the ultimate fishing experience, you can try your hand at flyfishing for the fierce tigerfish, with professional guides. Amateurs and experienced hands can choose from half-day, full-day or multiple-day fishing safaris from Vic Falls, heading upstream or down below the Falls.
In the Victoria Falls area, you catch and release fish back into the Zambezi, which hosts over 75 species of fish, including bream, catfish, barbel and pike.
Whether you choose the tamer channels above Vic Falls or the more challenging spots in Batoka Gorge at the base of Victoria Falls, you can look forward to fishing in incredible scenery. Whilst fishing from boat or riverbank an abundance of wild animals and birds can be spotted, with your guide skillfully avoiding the hippos and crocodiles that lurk in the waters.
4. Visit Livingstone Island
Go to Livingstone Island, located in the middle of the Zambezi River just above the mighty Victoria Falls. A twin engine boat carries you across the Zambezi to this small island, where you can enjoy some of the best views of Victoria Falls.
Livingstone Island is the spot from which the great explorer Dr David Livingstone first laid eyes on The Smoke That Thunders, or Mosi-oa-Tunya as the local people call it.
Back in November 1855 locals paddled Dr. Livingstone out to the island, which he then named in honour of Queen Victoria. Today you can follow in Livingstone’s footsteps with a guide and skipper during the low water season (mid-July to late-January), departing from the Zambian side of Vic Falls. The speedboat ride takes about 10 minutes, transferring a limited number of visitors to the historic island which extends to the edge of the Falls and is incorporated into the World Heritage Site.
Arriving at the exclusive island, your guide takes you on a tour telling you about the history and geology of Vic Falls, as well as the fauna and flora of the local habitat. Tour options include breakfast, lunch or high tea under canvas on Livingstone Island, which once served as a sacred site.
5. Swim in Devil’s Pool
From about August to December Devil’s Pool, the ultimate infinity plunge pool, can be visited from Livingstone Island. This natural pool is on the edge of the Victoria Falls, allowing visitors to take a dip in one of the most spectacular settings on earth.
From Devil’s Pool, you can lean over the rim of the waterfall and peer down over the massive curtain of water and the boiling pot far below. Swimming in Devil’s Pool is a once-in-a-lifetime thrill as you experience the Falls from the very lip of the plunge!
Chat to us if you’d like advice on booking activities in Victoria Falls.