VICTORIA FALLS TRAVEL
GENERAL-Victoria Falls is the largest water falls of the world and one of the greatest attractions in Africa. Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River, the fourth largest river in Africa, which is also defining the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. The noise of Victoria Falls can be heard from a distance of 40 kilometers, while the spray and mist from the falling water is rising to a height of over 400 meters and can be seen from a distance of 50 kilometers. In more modern terms Victoria Falls is known as the greatest curtain of falling water in the world. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, Victoria Falls is classified as the largest(water area), based on its combined width of 1,708 meters (5,604 ft.) and height of 108 meters (354 ft.), resulting in the world's largest sheet of falling water. No wonder that the local tribes used to call the waterfall Mosi-o-Tunya “The smoke that thunders”.
A bridge was built over the second gorge of the Victoria Falls and as the river lies on the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia, it connects the two countries. It was originally called the Great Zambezi or Zambezi Bridge but is now known as the Victoria Falls Bridge.
The Victoria Falls are considered the boundary between the upper and middle Zambezi. For the next 500 km the river serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Below the Falls the river continues to flow due east for about 200 km (120miles), cutting through gorges of basalt rock between 200 to 250 meters (660 to 820ft) high.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen of England visited the Victoria Falls in 1947… and stayed at the famous Victoria Falls Hotel in the royal suite.
The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side), and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (on the Zambia side), which means that for you to see the entire length of this the largest waterfall in the world, you will need to enter via two gates in two different countries. However, people will generally choose one Victoria Falls entrance based on the country they are staying, and/or the time of the year they are visiting. It is worth mentioning that 75% of the Falls are viewable from Zimbabwe and 25% from Zambia. The two entrance gates are close to the border posts on either side, with the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting them. Apart from these two entrances the only other way to see the Falls is from Livingstone island, from above by helicopter or micro-light, from below by either white water rafting or jetboat (both seasonal) and you also get a glimpse of a small section of the Falls when crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE – Scottish missionary and famous explorer of Africa David Livingstone (1813-1873) named it after Queen Victoria. Livingstone who was the first European to cross Africa from south to north discovered this awe-inspiring waterfall in 1855, while preaching Christianity in Africa.David Livingstone was transported by the local people to an island on the edge of the Victoria Falls, and it was from there that he first saw the Victoria Falls. This island is what is now known as Livingstone Island. David Livingstone named the waterfalls after Queen Victoria, who was the queen of Great Britain at that time.There is a statue of David Livingstone (Sculptured by Sir William Reid-Dick) on the western end of the chasm, over looking the Devils Cataract.
THE ZAMBEZI RIVER-The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa, after the Nile, Congo, and Niger Rivers. It is the longest east flowing river in Africa. The source of the mighty Zambezi River lies at about 1 500 m (4 900ft) above sea level in the Mwinilunga District, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and the Congo meet.The area of its catchment basin is 1 390 000 square km which is half that of the Nile. It flows through six countries (Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Botswana then back along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe ) on its journey from its source in north-western Zambia and finally discharging into the Indian Ocean at its delta in Mozambique, an amazing 2 700 km long. The Power of the Zambezi River has been harnessed along its journey at two points, the first being Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and the second Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Both these dams are sources of hydroelectric power and supply a large portion of power to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
TOWNS-The town on the Zimbabwe side is called Victoria Falls, the town on the Zambian side is called Livingstone and the actual Falls themselves are obviously called Victoria Falls. Livingstone (in Zambia) is a historic colonial city and tourism center for Victoria Falls lying 10 km south on the Zambezi River, and a border town with road and rail connections to Zimbabwe on the other side of the Falls.
The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side), and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (on the Zambia side), which means that for you to see the entire length of this the largest waterfall in the world, you will need to enter via two gates in two different countries.
DEVIL'S POOL-During the drier months of the year, the Zambezi River drops quite substantially, and from mid August to mid January, it is possible to walk along the lip of the falls. This can only be done from the Zambian side. After thousands of years of erosion, many rock pools have formed and one of them has formed right on the very edge of the sheer drop. This is indeed the ultimate infinity pool. Scenic Devils Pool.It takes a rocky walk and swim in the Zambezi to reach the pool – then the fearless ones leap into the pool and get pushed to the edge by the force of the river. The rock lip brings them to a halt as the raging waters of the Zambezi crash over the cliffs a few feet away. There are guides in attendance who are there to make sure you don’t go over the edge. The view from the edge is totally exhilarating as you feel the force of the Zambezi flowing past you and crashing down over the precipice; a hundred meter drop. There is a rock lip that protrudes upward which keeps you from falling over the edge. This swim takes place to be about 50 to 100 meters from the edge of the Falls. Weaker swimmers are accommodated by walking over in the stomach-deep water while holding hands with a guide.
HEALTH-
i-A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days from infected areas.
ii-Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
iii-Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year. The risk is highest from October to May.
VICTORIA FALLS CITY (Zimbabwe)-
The town on the Zimbabwe side is called Victoria Falls, the town on the Zambian side is called Livingstone and the actual Falls themselves are obviously called Victoria Falls. The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side).
On the northern border of Zimbabwe, the mighty Zambezi River which gives rise to 3 outstanding tourist attractions; Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and the lower Zambezi River's Mana Pools.
The US Dollar is the official currency in Zimbabwe. Sterling, Rand and Pula cash are also widely accepted. Credit cards are also widely accepted, but travellers cheques are not.
VISIT OF VICTORIA FALLS - ZIMBABWE SIDE –
Victoria Falls Entrance Zimbabwe- Your tour operator will pick-up and drop you off from your hotel/lodge. But if you want to do a self-guided tour, then you will have to make your own way there.
Getting There on Your Own-A taxi costs about US$5 to US$10 to get to the Victoria Falls entrance, dependent on the distance your lodging is from the gate. However, if you are staying at Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls Hotel, Ilala Lodge, N1 Hotel or Explorer's Village, it is a 10-minute walk to get to the entrance on the Zimbabwe side.
Shuttle Buses-Some hotels such as those on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge complex, Cresta Sprayview Hotel or Elephant Hills Hotel have hourly shuttle buses which you can hop on to get there and back, at no extra cost. You should discuss the pickup times with your driver.
On Arrival-When you arrive, you will find a parking lot and curio market on the right side of the road. The entrance to the rainforest is on the left side of the road. You will need to check in at the booth on the left of the gate, produce your passport or identification card, and the parks cashier will let you know the charges. This payment covers a single entry to the Victoria Falls. So if you decide to exit, you will need to pay again to re-enter. Payment can be made in cash or via credit/debit card - (MasterCard or Visa).
Falls Entrance Fees Zimbabwe-USD30
Victoria Falls National Park Opening Hours- Summer (1st September to 30th April) - Opens 06h00 and Closes 18h00
Winter (1st May to 31st August) - Opens 06h30 and Closes 18h00
Inside the Park-Once you have paid your entrance fees, and entered the park, you will see in front of you an information Centre with maps and information on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls and it's formation. There is a nice curio shop just beyond and to the right is the Rainforest Cafe, which serves very good light meals and lunches and has restrooms.
Touring the Rainforest-You will notice a clear cobblestone pathway leading from the entrance gate to viewpoint #1 and from there the paths are easy to follow all the way through the rainforest. At some of the viewpoints, there are rudimentary barriers for your protection but towards the eastern end of the Falls there are no barriers at all, one has to be very careful at these points for obvious reasons.
On a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, your guide will take you around the different view points, sharing in-depth knowledge on the waterfall and it's history, beginning a viewpoint #1 and Livingstone's Statue. If you are touring on your own, which is quite easy to do, it's easiest to start from there as well and work your way eastward.
A bridge was built over the second gorge of the Victoria Falls and as the river lies on the borders of Zimbabwe and Zambia, it connects the two countries. It was originally called the Great Zambezi or Zambezi Bridge but is now known as the Victoria Falls Bridge.
The Victoria Falls are considered the boundary between the upper and middle Zambezi. For the next 500 km the river serves as the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Below the Falls the river continues to flow due east for about 200 km (120miles), cutting through gorges of basalt rock between 200 to 250 meters (660 to 820ft) high.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen of England visited the Victoria Falls in 1947… and stayed at the famous Victoria Falls Hotel in the royal suite.
The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side), and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (on the Zambia side), which means that for you to see the entire length of this the largest waterfall in the world, you will need to enter via two gates in two different countries. However, people will generally choose one Victoria Falls entrance based on the country they are staying, and/or the time of the year they are visiting. It is worth mentioning that 75% of the Falls are viewable from Zimbabwe and 25% from Zambia. The two entrance gates are close to the border posts on either side, with the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting them. Apart from these two entrances the only other way to see the Falls is from Livingstone island, from above by helicopter or micro-light, from below by either white water rafting or jetboat (both seasonal) and you also get a glimpse of a small section of the Falls when crossing the Victoria Falls Bridge.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE – Scottish missionary and famous explorer of Africa David Livingstone (1813-1873) named it after Queen Victoria. Livingstone who was the first European to cross Africa from south to north discovered this awe-inspiring waterfall in 1855, while preaching Christianity in Africa.David Livingstone was transported by the local people to an island on the edge of the Victoria Falls, and it was from there that he first saw the Victoria Falls. This island is what is now known as Livingstone Island. David Livingstone named the waterfalls after Queen Victoria, who was the queen of Great Britain at that time.There is a statue of David Livingstone (Sculptured by Sir William Reid-Dick) on the western end of the chasm, over looking the Devils Cataract.
THE ZAMBEZI RIVER-The Zambezi is the fourth longest river in Africa, after the Nile, Congo, and Niger Rivers. It is the longest east flowing river in Africa. The source of the mighty Zambezi River lies at about 1 500 m (4 900ft) above sea level in the Mwinilunga District, very close to the border where Zambia, Angola and the Congo meet.The area of its catchment basin is 1 390 000 square km which is half that of the Nile. It flows through six countries (Zambia, Angola, Namibia and Botswana then back along the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe ) on its journey from its source in north-western Zambia and finally discharging into the Indian Ocean at its delta in Mozambique, an amazing 2 700 km long. The Power of the Zambezi River has been harnessed along its journey at two points, the first being Kariba Dam in Zimbabwe and the second Cahora Bassa Dam in Mozambique. Both these dams are sources of hydroelectric power and supply a large portion of power to Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.
TOWNS-The town on the Zimbabwe side is called Victoria Falls, the town on the Zambian side is called Livingstone and the actual Falls themselves are obviously called Victoria Falls. Livingstone (in Zambia) is a historic colonial city and tourism center for Victoria Falls lying 10 km south on the Zambezi River, and a border town with road and rail connections to Zimbabwe on the other side of the Falls.
The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side), and the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (on the Zambia side), which means that for you to see the entire length of this the largest waterfall in the world, you will need to enter via two gates in two different countries.
DEVIL'S POOL-During the drier months of the year, the Zambezi River drops quite substantially, and from mid August to mid January, it is possible to walk along the lip of the falls. This can only be done from the Zambian side. After thousands of years of erosion, many rock pools have formed and one of them has formed right on the very edge of the sheer drop. This is indeed the ultimate infinity pool. Scenic Devils Pool.It takes a rocky walk and swim in the Zambezi to reach the pool – then the fearless ones leap into the pool and get pushed to the edge by the force of the river. The rock lip brings them to a halt as the raging waters of the Zambezi crash over the cliffs a few feet away. There are guides in attendance who are there to make sure you don’t go over the edge. The view from the edge is totally exhilarating as you feel the force of the Zambezi flowing past you and crashing down over the precipice; a hundred meter drop. There is a rock lip that protrudes upward which keeps you from falling over the edge. This swim takes place to be about 50 to 100 meters from the edge of the Falls. Weaker swimmers are accommodated by walking over in the stomach-deep water while holding hands with a guide.
HEALTH-
i-A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days from infected areas.
ii-Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
iii-Malaria risk, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form, exists throughout the year. The risk is highest from October to May.
VICTORIA FALLS CITY (Zimbabwe)-
The town on the Zimbabwe side is called Victoria Falls, the town on the Zambian side is called Livingstone and the actual Falls themselves are obviously called Victoria Falls. The beautiful Victoria Falls is located within the Victoria Falls National Park (on the Zimbabwe side).
On the northern border of Zimbabwe, the mighty Zambezi River which gives rise to 3 outstanding tourist attractions; Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba and the lower Zambezi River's Mana Pools.
The US Dollar is the official currency in Zimbabwe. Sterling, Rand and Pula cash are also widely accepted. Credit cards are also widely accepted, but travellers cheques are not.
VISIT OF VICTORIA FALLS - ZIMBABWE SIDE –
Victoria Falls Entrance Zimbabwe- Your tour operator will pick-up and drop you off from your hotel/lodge. But if you want to do a self-guided tour, then you will have to make your own way there.
Getting There on Your Own-A taxi costs about US$5 to US$10 to get to the Victoria Falls entrance, dependent on the distance your lodging is from the gate. However, if you are staying at Kingdom Hotel, Victoria Falls Hotel, Ilala Lodge, N1 Hotel or Explorer's Village, it is a 10-minute walk to get to the entrance on the Zimbabwe side.
Shuttle Buses-Some hotels such as those on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge complex, Cresta Sprayview Hotel or Elephant Hills Hotel have hourly shuttle buses which you can hop on to get there and back, at no extra cost. You should discuss the pickup times with your driver.
On Arrival-When you arrive, you will find a parking lot and curio market on the right side of the road. The entrance to the rainforest is on the left side of the road. You will need to check in at the booth on the left of the gate, produce your passport or identification card, and the parks cashier will let you know the charges. This payment covers a single entry to the Victoria Falls. So if you decide to exit, you will need to pay again to re-enter. Payment can be made in cash or via credit/debit card - (MasterCard or Visa).
Falls Entrance Fees Zimbabwe-USD30
Victoria Falls National Park Opening Hours- Summer (1st September to 30th April) - Opens 06h00 and Closes 18h00
Winter (1st May to 31st August) - Opens 06h30 and Closes 18h00
Inside the Park-Once you have paid your entrance fees, and entered the park, you will see in front of you an information Centre with maps and information on the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls and it's formation. There is a nice curio shop just beyond and to the right is the Rainforest Cafe, which serves very good light meals and lunches and has restrooms.
Touring the Rainforest-You will notice a clear cobblestone pathway leading from the entrance gate to viewpoint #1 and from there the paths are easy to follow all the way through the rainforest. At some of the viewpoints, there are rudimentary barriers for your protection but towards the eastern end of the Falls there are no barriers at all, one has to be very careful at these points for obvious reasons.
On a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, your guide will take you around the different view points, sharing in-depth knowledge on the waterfall and it's history, beginning a viewpoint #1 and Livingstone's Statue. If you are touring on your own, which is quite easy to do, it's easiest to start from there as well and work your way eastward.
The edge of the falls is reached through the cool, moist tunnels of the rainforest. Always shrouded in fine spray, the forest is a fairyland of exotic plants thriving in the humidity. Concrete paths, (the only obvious man-made intrusions since Livingstone's day) have been made to stop sightseers trampling away the lip of the gorge.
There is a statue of David Livingstone (Sculptured by Sir William Reid-Dick) on the western end of the chasm, over looking the Devils Cataract.
You will also find a set of stairs going down to a view point called the “Chain Walk”
You can make your way along the designated path which takes you to the various 16 view points along the edge – some of them are better than others and as you come along to the main falls some of them are wetter than others. You might find the path a little slippery along the way and I would encourage you to where suitable walking shoes. The sheer magic of the Victoria Falls is that you will not find big barriers or walls to keep you away from the edge and one can really experience the sheer might of them – up close
Danger Point is the far point at the end of the path and from here you can look across into Zambia – sometimes depending on the time of year you may be lucky enough to see a rafting trip starting far below in the gorge. From Danger Point there is a path to the right that takes you to a view point of the bridge. It is a great place to see the structure of the Victoria Falls Bridge and also to see some of the bungee jumpers – from their platform which is in the middle of the bridge. You are able to walk back along the path you came to the entrance.
BEST TIME OF DAY TO VISIT THE VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE SIDE-During the morning the rainbows are excellent over Devils Cataract as the sun is behind you looking east to west, but the best time to catch rainbows in the perfect position over main falls is between 2pm and 4pm (pictured below). These are the classic rainbows as seen on postcards. During the middle of the day the sun is overhead so the rainbows are not clearly visible and would only be seen right at the bottom of the gorge.After 4pm the sun is getting a bit low and the rainbows are high in the sky or not visible at all and shadows are starting to be cast on the Falls themselves. Although it's a magical time of day, if you are only visiting the Falls once then don't go in after 4pm as you are not seeing them at their most glorious. The best place to view the late afternoon is from Danger point (#15) but remember that the gate closes at 6pm and you are at the most furthest point from the exit gate, so allow enough time.
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/
FACTS ON VICTORIA FALLS-
- During floods, the water flow capacity reaches half a million liters of water per minute. The water level varies throughout the year; it is at its peak in April, at the end of the rainy season, when on average 500,000,000 litters of water flow and it is at its lowest level in October and early November. During the dry season, the water level in the Zambezi River drops sharply, and it becomes possible to walk through some parts of the waterfall.
-Here the river plunges headlong into a 100m vertical chasm spanning the full one-and-a-half kilometre width of the river.
-Creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
-Victoria Falls is approximately 1700m wide, and varies in height from 80-108 meters. It’s one and a half times wider than Niagara Falls and is twice the height making it the biggest curtain of water in the world.
-The Victoria Falls are 1700m wide and are made up of five different “falls”. Four of these are in Zimbabwe and one is in Zambia.
-Five are named as- The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls in Zimbabwe and the Eastern Cataract in Zambia.
-Main Falls (93 meters high) - This is the largest waterfall and certainly the most majestic view of the falls. A wide curtain of water, with a peak flow rate of 700 000 cubic meters per minute. The sheer volume over the height of the falls is so great that before getting anywhere near the ground, the water is buffeted by the strong rising winds and turned into mist.
-Around mid-April is when peak flood waters occur. Roughly 625 million liters of water flow over the edge per minute.
- Moonbow is the rainbow formed by the reflection of moonlight on the water. At night, you will see the light from the moon forming a beautiful rainbow on the waters of the Victoria Waterfalls.
- The water depth at the base of the falls is 70 meters (229 feet). Victoria Falls is positioned almost exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi River's 2700 km journey from its source to the sea.
VICTORIA FALLS SUNSET CRUISE-Sunset Cruise trips along the Zambezi are a magnificent and extremely popular way to experience the river. All the boats, bar the jet boats, navigate a 6 km stretch of river above the Falls themselves, shallow waters and hazardous rocks prevent them from venturing any further. Although you do not see the Falls themselves during a cruise, a cloud of spray, visible from the boats, sits on the horizon, crowning the waterfall. This section of river, which starts 3kms above the Falls is placid and wide and dissected with many islands. Resident hippo and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, whilst elephant herds are often seen as they cross from one island to the other in search of food. The birdlife is phenomenal and the sunsets are truly unforgettable. Sunset cruises start at 4pm in the winter (May-August) and 4.30 in the summer (September-April). Pick-up from your hotel will be earlier than these times, how much is dependent on the distance from your hotel to the jetty site. Transfers to and from your lodge/hotel are included in the price, and the cruises last approximately 2 hours.
Price-these generally range in prices from $60 to $90 per person, excluding the national park fee of $10.
VICTORIA FALLS WEATHER - Hot summers from September through to April, and mild winters from May through to August.
- Extremely hot and dry October - fantastic sunsets.
-From the end of August the temperatures start rising, and as we get into September and through to November it is very hot and dry. The typical African landscape turns very brown and can feel a bit harsh.
-March/April- Huge volume of spray making viewing of the Falls from the ground difficult, but great for aerial viewing. Very powerful and spectacular.
-November/early December - Low water level of the Zambezi River means parts of the Falls dry up and a dry rock face is exposed. This is very disappointing for some people, if they are not aware of it and is particularly prevalent on the Zambian side. The Zimbabwe side always has a good water flow.
Victoria Falls Hotel, Kingdom Hotel and Ilala Lodge are the three closest hotels to the entrance gate of the Falls being less that a kilometer away.
Cresta Spray view Hotel and the Rainbow Hotel are a little further out being about 2 kilometers from the Entrance to the Falls.
VICTORIA FALLS TOUR-
001-3 Day Zimbabwe Victoria Falls fly-in Tour-
Depart From: Johannesburg | Ending at: Johannesburg
Departures: Daily (Subject to Availability)
Duration: 3 Days Visit Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side.
Day One - Depart Johannesburg-You leave Johannesburg on a mid-morning flight.
Day One-Experience your first intriguing glimpse of the Victoria Falls from the air before you touch down at Victoria Falls Airport. You are met and transferred to your hotel. You have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the town or enjoy the many activities and attractions on offer.
Day Two-After breakfast, the Victoria Falls will take your breath away on a guided walking safari that takes you through the magnificent spray-drenched rainforest with its extraordinary plants and birds. You experience and photograph all the classic and best views of the Falls, the Cataracts and Livingstone’s statue. Later you will relax upstream on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River with plenty of game viewing opportunities as elephant, giraffe and antelope make their way to the river’s edge.
Day Three-Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your transfer to Victoria Falls Airport and your return flight to Johannesburg.
Highlights:-
- Guided walking safari through the tropical, spray-drenched rainforest on the very edge of Victoria Falls, and all the best views of this World Heritage Site from the spectacular Zimbabwean vantage points.
- Sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River with its hippos and crocodiles, and river bank game viewing.
- Leisure time to enjoy the Victoria Falls activities and adventures of your choice.
Rates-
A-Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Rate Per Adult: USD 844.00
B-Victoria Falls Hotel Rate Per Adult: USD 984.00
C-Victoria Falls Hotel Rate Per Adult: USD 1048.00
http://www.saplacestours.com/3-day-zimbabwe-victoria-falls-fly-in-tour.html
http://www.siyabona.com/3-day-zimbabwe-victoria-falls-fly-in.html
https://www.safari365.com/tours/victoria-falls-3-day-special
002-Victoria Falls Devils Pool and Livingstone Island Tour-
This activity is only available from the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Livingstone Island was opened in 1992 to provide exclusive and unique picnics on the edge of the Victoria Falls. It is a protected area that is only allowed a maximum of 24 people on at any one time. The utmost care is taken to protect and preserve the natural habitat of the area. As the water level drops even further, first the "Angel Pool" then the "Devil Pool" opens allowing both the "Island tour" and the "Devils Swim" to be done. Each trip lasting about 1.5 to 2 hrs.
Livingstone Island-The island from which David Livingstone first witnessed the Falls in November 1855. Island tour is seasonal and can only be done when the water level of the Zambezi River is low enough to allow safe access to Livingstone Island. This is from approximately late June to early March.
Angel Pool Availability-Approximately mid July to late August and early January through till mid February.
Devils Pool Availability-The Devils swimming Pool is available for an even shorter period as the water level has to be really low to allow for safe swimming. Although variable every year this is normally from late August to early January.
The Devil’s Pool Victoria Falls tour (AKA Livingstone Island tour) includes the following:
A five-minute boat ride from the Royal Livingstone Hotel to Livingstone Island.
A complimentary welcome drink.
A brief tour of Livingstone Island
Swimming in Devil’s Pool
Two guides for the entire group (one who takes photos, another who assists in the pool).
Towels are provided for you upon getting out of Devil’s Pool.
A meal – breakfast, lunch, or high tea, depending on what Devil’s Pool tour you booked.
Drinks are also provided during the meal.
https://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/how-to-visit-devils-pool-victoria-falls/
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/devils-pool.html
003-Helicopter Flight (13 Min)-
$150 per person 08:00 - 17:00 1,5 hours Min pax: 2
The "Flight of Angels" is the most popular helicopter flight in Victoria Falls. You will fly upriver for a short distance. The views of the Zambezi River from the helicopter are magnificent. Once you have flown over Kalunda Island you will take a left turn and prepare for your landing.
https://www.viator.com/en-SG/Victoria-Falls-tours/Helicopter-Tours/d5309-g1-c2
004-Luxury Sunset Cruise-
https://www.visit-victoria-falls.com/activities/cruises/luxury-sunset-cruise/
$55 per person 16:30 daily 2 hours Min pax: 2
PRESENTED BY - V.P.GUPTA
There is a statue of David Livingstone (Sculptured by Sir William Reid-Dick) on the western end of the chasm, over looking the Devils Cataract.
You will also find a set of stairs going down to a view point called the “Chain Walk”
You can make your way along the designated path which takes you to the various 16 view points along the edge – some of them are better than others and as you come along to the main falls some of them are wetter than others. You might find the path a little slippery along the way and I would encourage you to where suitable walking shoes. The sheer magic of the Victoria Falls is that you will not find big barriers or walls to keep you away from the edge and one can really experience the sheer might of them – up close
Danger Point is the far point at the end of the path and from here you can look across into Zambia – sometimes depending on the time of year you may be lucky enough to see a rafting trip starting far below in the gorge. From Danger Point there is a path to the right that takes you to a view point of the bridge. It is a great place to see the structure of the Victoria Falls Bridge and also to see some of the bungee jumpers – from their platform which is in the middle of the bridge. You are able to walk back along the path you came to the entrance.
BEST TIME OF DAY TO VISIT THE VICTORIA FALLS – ZIMBABWE SIDE-During the morning the rainbows are excellent over Devils Cataract as the sun is behind you looking east to west, but the best time to catch rainbows in the perfect position over main falls is between 2pm and 4pm (pictured below). These are the classic rainbows as seen on postcards. During the middle of the day the sun is overhead so the rainbows are not clearly visible and would only be seen right at the bottom of the gorge.After 4pm the sun is getting a bit low and the rainbows are high in the sky or not visible at all and shadows are starting to be cast on the Falls themselves. Although it's a magical time of day, if you are only visiting the Falls once then don't go in after 4pm as you are not seeing them at their most glorious. The best place to view the late afternoon is from Danger point (#15) but remember that the gate closes at 6pm and you are at the most furthest point from the exit gate, so allow enough time.
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/
FACTS ON VICTORIA FALLS-
- During floods, the water flow capacity reaches half a million liters of water per minute. The water level varies throughout the year; it is at its peak in April, at the end of the rainy season, when on average 500,000,000 litters of water flow and it is at its lowest level in October and early November. During the dry season, the water level in the Zambezi River drops sharply, and it becomes possible to walk through some parts of the waterfall.
-Here the river plunges headlong into a 100m vertical chasm spanning the full one-and-a-half kilometre width of the river.
-Creating the biggest curtain of falling water in the world and also one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
-Victoria Falls is approximately 1700m wide, and varies in height from 80-108 meters. It’s one and a half times wider than Niagara Falls and is twice the height making it the biggest curtain of water in the world.
-The Victoria Falls are 1700m wide and are made up of five different “falls”. Four of these are in Zimbabwe and one is in Zambia.
-Five are named as- The Devil’s Cataract, Main Falls, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls in Zimbabwe and the Eastern Cataract in Zambia.
-Main Falls (93 meters high) - This is the largest waterfall and certainly the most majestic view of the falls. A wide curtain of water, with a peak flow rate of 700 000 cubic meters per minute. The sheer volume over the height of the falls is so great that before getting anywhere near the ground, the water is buffeted by the strong rising winds and turned into mist.
-Around mid-April is when peak flood waters occur. Roughly 625 million liters of water flow over the edge per minute.
- Moonbow is the rainbow formed by the reflection of moonlight on the water. At night, you will see the light from the moon forming a beautiful rainbow on the waters of the Victoria Waterfalls.
- The water depth at the base of the falls is 70 meters (229 feet). Victoria Falls is positioned almost exactly half way along the mighty Zambezi River's 2700 km journey from its source to the sea.
VICTORIA FALLS SUNSET CRUISE-Sunset Cruise trips along the Zambezi are a magnificent and extremely popular way to experience the river. All the boats, bar the jet boats, navigate a 6 km stretch of river above the Falls themselves, shallow waters and hazardous rocks prevent them from venturing any further. Although you do not see the Falls themselves during a cruise, a cloud of spray, visible from the boats, sits on the horizon, crowning the waterfall. This section of river, which starts 3kms above the Falls is placid and wide and dissected with many islands. Resident hippo and crocodile are guaranteed sightings, whilst elephant herds are often seen as they cross from one island to the other in search of food. The birdlife is phenomenal and the sunsets are truly unforgettable. Sunset cruises start at 4pm in the winter (May-August) and 4.30 in the summer (September-April). Pick-up from your hotel will be earlier than these times, how much is dependent on the distance from your hotel to the jetty site. Transfers to and from your lodge/hotel are included in the price, and the cruises last approximately 2 hours.
Price-these generally range in prices from $60 to $90 per person, excluding the national park fee of $10.
VICTORIA FALLS WEATHER - Hot summers from September through to April, and mild winters from May through to August.
- Extremely hot and dry October - fantastic sunsets.
-From the end of August the temperatures start rising, and as we get into September and through to November it is very hot and dry. The typical African landscape turns very brown and can feel a bit harsh.
-March/April- Huge volume of spray making viewing of the Falls from the ground difficult, but great for aerial viewing. Very powerful and spectacular.
-November/early December - Low water level of the Zambezi River means parts of the Falls dry up and a dry rock face is exposed. This is very disappointing for some people, if they are not aware of it and is particularly prevalent on the Zambian side. The Zimbabwe side always has a good water flow.
Victoria Falls Hotel, Kingdom Hotel and Ilala Lodge are the three closest hotels to the entrance gate of the Falls being less that a kilometer away.
Cresta Spray view Hotel and the Rainbow Hotel are a little further out being about 2 kilometers from the Entrance to the Falls.
VICTORIA FALLS TOUR-
001-3 Day Zimbabwe Victoria Falls fly-in Tour-
Depart From: Johannesburg | Ending at: Johannesburg
Departures: Daily (Subject to Availability)
Duration: 3 Days Visit Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side.
Day One - Depart Johannesburg-You leave Johannesburg on a mid-morning flight.
Day One-Experience your first intriguing glimpse of the Victoria Falls from the air before you touch down at Victoria Falls Airport. You are met and transferred to your hotel. You have the rest of the day at your leisure to explore the town or enjoy the many activities and attractions on offer.
Day Two-After breakfast, the Victoria Falls will take your breath away on a guided walking safari that takes you through the magnificent spray-drenched rainforest with its extraordinary plants and birds. You experience and photograph all the classic and best views of the Falls, the Cataracts and Livingstone’s statue. Later you will relax upstream on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River with plenty of game viewing opportunities as elephant, giraffe and antelope make their way to the river’s edge.
Day Three-Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before your transfer to Victoria Falls Airport and your return flight to Johannesburg.
Highlights:-
- Guided walking safari through the tropical, spray-drenched rainforest on the very edge of Victoria Falls, and all the best views of this World Heritage Site from the spectacular Zimbabwean vantage points.
- Sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River with its hippos and crocodiles, and river bank game viewing.
- Leisure time to enjoy the Victoria Falls activities and adventures of your choice.
Rates-
A-Victoria Falls Safari Lodge Rate Per Adult: USD 844.00
B-Victoria Falls Hotel Rate Per Adult: USD 984.00
C-Victoria Falls Hotel Rate Per Adult: USD 1048.00
http://www.saplacestours.com/3-day-zimbabwe-victoria-falls-fly-in-tour.html
http://www.siyabona.com/3-day-zimbabwe-victoria-falls-fly-in.html
https://www.safari365.com/tours/victoria-falls-3-day-special
002-Victoria Falls Devils Pool and Livingstone Island Tour-
This activity is only available from the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Livingstone Island was opened in 1992 to provide exclusive and unique picnics on the edge of the Victoria Falls. It is a protected area that is only allowed a maximum of 24 people on at any one time. The utmost care is taken to protect and preserve the natural habitat of the area. As the water level drops even further, first the "Angel Pool" then the "Devil Pool" opens allowing both the "Island tour" and the "Devils Swim" to be done. Each trip lasting about 1.5 to 2 hrs.
Livingstone Island-The island from which David Livingstone first witnessed the Falls in November 1855. Island tour is seasonal and can only be done when the water level of the Zambezi River is low enough to allow safe access to Livingstone Island. This is from approximately late June to early March.
Angel Pool Availability-Approximately mid July to late August and early January through till mid February.
Devils Pool Availability-The Devils swimming Pool is available for an even shorter period as the water level has to be really low to allow for safe swimming. Although variable every year this is normally from late August to early January.
The Devil’s Pool Victoria Falls tour (AKA Livingstone Island tour) includes the following:
A five-minute boat ride from the Royal Livingstone Hotel to Livingstone Island.
A complimentary welcome drink.
A brief tour of Livingstone Island
Swimming in Devil’s Pool
Two guides for the entire group (one who takes photos, another who assists in the pool).
Towels are provided for you upon getting out of Devil’s Pool.
A meal – breakfast, lunch, or high tea, depending on what Devil’s Pool tour you booked.
Drinks are also provided during the meal.
https://www.roamingaroundtheworld.com/how-to-visit-devils-pool-victoria-falls/
https://www.victoriafalls-guide.net/devils-pool.html
003-Helicopter Flight (13 Min)-
$150 per person 08:00 - 17:00 1,5 hours Min pax: 2
The "Flight of Angels" is the most popular helicopter flight in Victoria Falls. You will fly upriver for a short distance. The views of the Zambezi River from the helicopter are magnificent. Once you have flown over Kalunda Island you will take a left turn and prepare for your landing.
https://www.viator.com/en-SG/Victoria-Falls-tours/Helicopter-Tours/d5309-g1-c2
004-Luxury Sunset Cruise-
https://www.visit-victoria-falls.com/activities/cruises/luxury-sunset-cruise/
$55 per person 16:30 daily 2 hours Min pax: 2
PRESENTED BY - V.P.GUPTA