Highlights
Victoria Falls - the largest body of falling water in the world
Accommodation right on the bank of the mighty Zambezi River
Exhilarating side experiences - River Floating, Riverboat Sunset and Dinner Cruise, Devils' Pool swimming adventure, Elephants close-up and personal.
Description
This iconic African experience is Zambia based and focuses on the Zambezi River which of course culminates in the magnificent Victoria Falls. The power and the glory of the Victoria Falls can only be described as "religious". The gentle Zambian hospitality and organisation is amazing, and this activity packed weekend will focus on all things in and around the great Zambezi River. It is an immersion into nature with unique waterside wildlife viewing and personal interactions with rescue elephants.
Who This Experience Is Good For
This experience is perfect for nature loving adventurers who have Victoria Falls on their bucket list. It is a physically active weekend suited to intrepid travellers. The water-based activities are hosted by experienced guides who will expose you to an incredibly diverse African environment.
Meet Our Local Host
This activity is coordinated and planned by Jacky the dedicated Safari host but will not be physically hosted. Each group will be taken care of by the appointed drivers and guides. To and from the airport and to and from each planned activity. The water-based activities are managed by exceptionally skilled guides. The Zambian based liaison will be the hotel manager Amy Lee. She is assisted by the Activities Manager Timothy who assists with booking and coordinating all activities including the Day 3 activity of choice. .
Itinerary
Day 1
Take a flight from OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia, where you will be met by your appointed driver. We base this adventure in Zambia for reasons of efficiency, as well as close access to all the other adventures that make this an exhilarating adventure weekend. Arrive at Victoria Waterfront Hotel on the banks of the great Zambezi River and check into the Waterfront Village accommodation.
The first experience will be a Riverboat Cruise up the magnificent Zambezi River, enjoying Sundowner drinks and a light snack meal on board while soaking in the sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and other African antelope along the banks of the river. Return to the hotel for rest and recuperation in anticipation of the weekend highlight!
Day 2
After an early breakfast on the first morning, you will be taken through the Zimbabwe border to Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe perspective. This is a spectacular experience which will quite simply blow your mind. Dress in quick drying clothing and good walking shoes to fully enjoy this incredible, once in a lifetime experience. You will be accompanied by a guide. If you feel they are not allowing you to absorb enough, please slow them down so you can properly imbibe this vision.
Mosi - oa - Tunya (The Smoke that Thunders) as Victoria Falls is known locally, is the world's greatest sheet of falling water which shares boundaries with Zambia, Zimbabwe and is very close to Botswana. Experiencing the falls is a "spiritual rush" No words can describe the power and the glory of this incredible spectacle of nature.
You will be chauffeured back to the hotel for a quick rest and to freshen up for dinner with the Elephants at the Elephant Cafe. This is a magical experience where you will meet, up close and personally, a group of rescue elephants in a secluded location upriver. A fine 3 course dinner and drinks will be served. All proceeds from the restaurant are used to support and feed the magnificent beasts after which this restaurant is named.
Day 3
We have left this morning free for you to select an activity of your choice, for your own pocket, this could be a helicopter or microlight flip over Victoria Falls (both highly recommended), a tour of the Victoria Falls from the Zambian side (this is more like a hike, very exhilarating -up to 3.5 hours if you hike to the Boiling Point and gives a different aspect of the Falls) or a cultural village tour. These are booked with Timothy the Activities Manager. Alternatively, you could just chill at the hotel pool and have a bit of time out.
In the early afternoon you will be taken to the boat launch site to go by boat to Livingstone Island. This was of course the spot from which David Livingstone, the explorer, first laid eyes on the Victoria Falls. You will be experiencing the falls within either Devils or Angels Pool. This is an adrenalizing swimming experience right on the edge of the mighty Victoria Falls followed by a lovely high tea served on Livingstone Island. You will be accompanied by highly experienced guides who are well versed with risk and risk management.
Day 4
This morning you will be heading out for a 2 hour game drive in the Mosi -oa - Tunya National Park with a very real possibility of seeing a variety of African animals and the endangered white rhino. This is an open vehicle experience which will include a coffee stop in the park. At times it includes some walking so wear closed comfortable shoes and a hat.
Return to the hotel to pack up and head to the airport with your driver to catch your flight back to South Africa
What's Included
Transfers to and from the airport in Livingstone to the Waterfront Hotel
Transfers to all the activities with a hotel appointed driver/ guide
Accommodation - on a bed and breakfast basis at Safpar Waterfront Hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River. Please note: Accommodation can be booked private or sharing however all private rooms attract a single supplement.
3 breakfasts at the hotel
1 large pizza voucher each - recommended to use on night 3
River boat sundowner cruise - including all drinks and a light snack meal.
Victoria Falls guided tour (entries etc included but visa must be paid in cash per person- +/- $50) Elephant Cafe interaction and dinner experience + drinks included
Game drive in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park home to a family of protected white rhinos
Devils Pool epic Victoria Falls edge swimming experience on Livingstone Island followed by a delicious high tea meal.
What's Not Included
Flights to and from Livingstone, Zambia. Please Note: Do not book any flights until the trip has been confirmed by the City Manager. Flight arrivals and departure times are coordinated to fit in with the planned activities.
Please check Visa requirements for your nationality. There is a very limited number of countries that require e Visas please ensure you are organised in this regard.
Visa to enter Zimbabwe needs to be paid in US dollars cash,fill a form, present passport and have passport stamped. To exit Zimbabwe back into Zambia, show a stamped passport.
Lunches
Day 3 morning activity, related park fees and transfers to and from the chosen activity - the activity should be booked and paid for at the Activities Centre at the hotel (with Timothy)
Drinks except on activities where most drinks are soft drinks or water (all drinks on the Sunset Cruise and the Elephant Cafe dinner are included)
Gratuities for the dedicated driver/guide - recommend $20.00 per guest
Gratuities for the activities guides - recommend $ 20.00 per guest
Travel insurance which is mandatory
Personal expenses
Additional food, snacks and drinks over and above those listed in the itinerary
Know Before You Go
Always take drinking water on the activities, Zambia and Zimbabwe have very hot climates year round, and you need to remain hydrated. Bring your ecofriendly water bottle with you.
Most activities require 2 guests to run - for 1 guest a single supplement can apply.
Accommodation costs may vary slightly depending on the availability of the various room types.
Rates on some activities can vary as not all of them are managed by SAFPAR, our service provider.
There are monkeys at the hotel gardens - please make sure windows are closed at all times and do not feed the monkeys.
Do not walk along the river edge at night as there are crocodiles and hippos in the Zambezi River.
Minimum needed: 2 people - ideal - 1 can travel but a single supplement will apply on all activities.
Maximum capacity: none - if accommodation is available.
Booking deadline: 6 weeks before the event
Weather dependent: The Devil's Pool activity is water level dependent. This is a safety measure.
Difficulty level: Moderately easy - need to be able to swim for certain activities
Special Clothing Required: Cool clothing, easy drying clothing, good walking shoes, swimsuits, sun hats, sunglasses, active wear, sunscreen, travel towels, a dry bag for phone etc.
Special Dietary Restrictions: Please inform the organiser upon booking.  Special diets will be accommodated.
Extra Cash:Tips and the visa to enter Zimbabwe - to be safe $ 300.00 - half in $20.00 denominations. Extra drinks, extra food (excellent pizza restaurant)
Extras: Drinks and extra meals ordered at the hotel are normally able to be paid with card
Ground Transportation: Included with hotel appointed driver for entire weekend
Additional Information: The hotel is not close to the town.  Bring basic toiletries and all personal medication, basic first aid (band aids etc).
Buy snacks in South Africa.
Souvenirs can be purchased at the hotel and at the airport.
Liabilities: Travel insurance is mandatory and an indemnity will be required for some of the activities.
