The Victoria Falls lie between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
On November 15 1855 the Scottish explorer David Livingstone reached the spectacular falls on the Zambezi, which the Africans called the “Smoke which Thunders” but which Livingstone named Victoria Falls in honour of the queen of England.
Victoria Falls Airport serves the tourism industry of Victoria Falls and is located 18 km south of the town of Victoria Falls. The airport has a pleasant welcoming atmosphere with a good bar and restaurant area. The airport is about an hours flying time from Harare the Zimbabwe capital and a little longer from Johannesburg in South Africa. Regular flights are provided by British Airways, South African Airways and Etihad from Johannesburg while Air Zimbabwe provides flights from Harare.
I chose the flight to the falls from Harare, the only inconvenience being a 15 dollar tax levied by the civil aviation authority of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe uses the US dollar as currency and operators in the country prefer cash rather than card payments although ATMs are available at the airport and in all large towns. Returning I chose British Airways to Johannesburg, no taxes this time but a rather busy airport as the South African airline flight departed at the same time.
I chose a company called Wild Horizons to supply all my itinerary. On arrival my driver was waiting with my name for the 25 minute drive to the lodge I was staying. The airport transfers were all complimentary and the driver like all the Wild Horizon’s staff I met was first class. The cost of a luxury twin room was 80 dollars for the night including an excellent breakfast and a very nice swimming pool just outside the room.
The tour of the Falls was 10 dollars each for myself and partner.To get into the park a 30 dollar charge is levied for non Zimbabweans. We had the guide to ourselves for the trip which was scheduled for about an hour and a half to two hours but actually lasted 3 hours at our leisure. The tour covered an easy 3k. walk and raincoats were provided as getting wet is half the fun on the trip. The falls are over a mile wide and 108 meters high. The geography of the trail means you can watch them face on and enjoy the full force of the spray, noise and spectacular rainbows. Seeing is believing.
There are many activities available from bungee jumping on the spectacular railway bridge over the Zambezi to helicopter flights to lion tours to white water rafting.
I chose to go on the Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi. Finger food was provided and as much drink as you like. The waiters were excellent and were replenishing drinks without having to be asked. The cost of the cruise was 40 dollars with a mass of birdlife to witness as well as sightings of elephants, hippos and a crocodile on one of the many islands.
I can recommend the tour to anyone who is in reasonable fitness. Value for money is excellent. Toilet facilities at the airport and in all the tourist areas are good. The town of Victoria Falls is modern and geared up for tourists from all over the world providing top class restaurants to fast food outlets.
