Charlotte recently returned from a fantastic trip to Victoria Falls. One of Southern Africa’s must-visit destinations this thundering waterfall – roughly twice the height of Niagara Falls and 1.7 km (a mile) wide – is the largest sheet of falling water in the world!
And seeing the falls is just the start. There are so unforgettable activities in the area: take to the skies on a scenic helicopter flight, cruise the Zambezi River or go horse riding through the Victoria Falls National Park. Then, for those who love a good dose of adrenaline, there’s white-water rafting, zip lining and bungee jumping (to name but a few).
Victoria Falls lies on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe. On this trip Charlotte stayed in Zimbabwe.
First Impressions
“I hadn’t been to the Zim side of Victoria Falls for around 10 years, and was struck by how well it’s doing. Victoria Falls town is booming: there are lovely craft shops, trendy cafes and restaurants. Also, the new airport has just opened and both my arrival and departure were smooth and efficient.
“Since the town (and many of the hotels) lie really close to the falls, staying in Zimbabwe gives you have more freedom to explore, do a bit of shopping or grab a cappuccino. I felt completely safe wandering around, and was blown away by the friendliness and enthusiasm of the people I met.”
Seeing the Falls
“I visited Victoria Falls in May, so the Zambezi River was in full flood. Known to the locals as Most-oa-Tunya (The Smoke That Thunders) you hear the falls before you see them, and a constant drizzle falls in the surrounding forest. The sheer force, beauty and sound of that water is indescribable! It truly is one of the world’s most spectacular natural sights.
“Feeling both invigorated and drenched by the spray, I walked back to The Rainforest Cafe, a lovely spot just inside the entrance to the park. The coffee I ordered was good quality, and came with a shot of Amarula on the side. On my walk back to the hotel I came across another great restaurant, The Lookout Café, where you can have lunch while taking in the most incredible view of Batoka Gorge.”
Sunset on the Zambezi
“I ended each day with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The first was on the top deck of the 3-level Zambezi Explorer. Called the Signature Lounge, this upper deck takes a maximum of 30 people and has a more exclusive feel. It might cost a bit more but I felt it was well worth it as I sipped my chili and ginger mojito and snacked on canapes, while the staff chatted about the animals we saw.
“The next evening I went on the Zambezi Royal. This boat lies very close to the water, allowing it to get into narrower channels. We were given a glass of sparkling wine on arrival, and as well as a magnificent sunset were treated to sightings of hippo, crocodiles and buffalo. Again, the staff were informative and engaging, and it really was a fantastic experience.
“There is something for everyone at Victoria Falls. A new activity, that I didn’t get a chance to try but heard great things about is cage diving with crocodiles. Also new is the fantastic sunset rail journey across Victoria Falls Bridge. I highly recommend this experience, which you can read about in my previous post: Aboard Bushtracks Express.”
Places to Stay
“I saw a number of hotels during my couple of days at the falls:
- The Elephant Camp is a very high end property, with just 12 tented suites. The tented lounge is beautiful and opens onto an expansive deck overlooking a small waterhole. A big focus here is the elephant interaction which happens daily at 1pm. You also have the option to ride the elephants, and can meet Sylvester the cheetah ambassador. Sylvester was orphaned as a cub, and now interacts with guests and helps spread awareness of cheetah conservation.
- The elegant and luxurious Victoria Falls Hotel has a wonderful old wold charm. The hotel views extend out over wide green lawns to the famous railway bridge that connects Zimbabwe and Zambia and – for most of the year – the mist rising up from the falls.
- Ilala Lodge has added on a new wing, and the rooms here have a more modern feel. This lovely property in the centre of town. Warthogs graze the neatly cropped lawns, and staying here puts you about a 10-minute walk from the falls.
- Victoria Falls Safari Lodge faces towards the national park. In the morning and early evening elephant gather at the lodge waterhole, and you really have the feeling of being on safari. Also on the property, the newly added Safari Club has just 20 suites. Staying here you still have access to all the facilities of the main lodge, but the accommodation is more luxurious and has that smaller lodge, personalised touch.
- The Kingdom is a larger hotel in a good location a short walk from the falls. This resort-style hotel is a popular choice for families with young kids, and has a number of rooms with bunk beds. If you stay here, ask for a room facing the national park.
- Another larger hotel, Elephant Hills Resort is a good choice for big groups. The hotel has plenty of conference spaces, and the only golf course in Victoria Falls. Rooms here have a rather old-fashioned feel but the golf course, swimming pool and grounds are looking beautiful.