A long travel day...
from our Rothschild Safaris Itinerary
Livingstone
Livingstone is home to Victoria Falls which constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" -- the smoke that thunders. Victoria Falls is 1,708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. It drops between 90 meters and 107 meters into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute. The falls themselves are probably best viewed from the Zimbabwe side, although the dramatic footbridge access on the Zambian side is perhaps more exciting, especially during high water. White-water rafting is also arguably better on the Zambian side, starting closer to the base of the falls.
SABI SANDS GAME RESERVE-VICTORIA FALLS, AIR TRANSFER
Departure time will be advised locally by camp management the night before: Enjoy game viewing enroute as you transfer for your flight to Mpumalanga where you will clear customs and immigration before boarding your next flight to Victoria Falls.
Luggage departure time 6:00AM: Please have your luggage ready for it's separate road transfer to Mpumalanga.
ABI SANDS GAME RESERVE-MPUMALANGA
Federal Airlines 301 Departs 09:00 - Arrives 10:35
MPUMALANGA-VICTORIA FALLS
SA Airlink 4Z476 - Departs 11:35 - Arrives 13:25
TRANSFER
Today as you arrive in Victoria Falls we have arranged for a special meet & greet to assist you through customs, immigration and to collect your bags. Please note that direct assistance when disembarking the plane can be cancelled at this airport without warning, so if you do not see a representative as soon as you disembark, please make your way to the baggage claim and arrivals hall. Please look out for an airport representative with your name on a signboard. You will be assisted to meet with your driver for your private road transfer to lunch and touring before crossing the border to your accommodation.
VICTORIA FALLS LUNCH AT THE LOOKOUT CAFE
The Lookout Café is an iconic restaurant in Victoria Falls where casual dining is a decadent affair. Menus range from cocktails and canapés to diverse meal options for seated dinners. Delicious food, staggering views and exceptional service make the Lookout Café a must-try place to eat out in Victoria Falls. From the vantage point of The Lookout Café, guests can watch the bright rafts surge through the rapids below and witness adrenaline lovers soaring through the air on one of the exciting high wire activities.
TOUR OF THE FALLS
Recommended attire casual clothing, comfortable shoes/sandals as this is a walking tour Activity inclusions-guide, entrance fees, transfers to/from park gate
Special notes you may get wet depending on the season, raincoats are provided for when necessary. Tour duration is approximately 2 hours
Today, stand and marvel at one of the natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls. Locally known as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - The Smoke that Thunders - the waters of the Zambezi River plunge over the mile-wide (1700 meters) and 325 feet-deep (100 meters) chasm, creating a shower of spray and a deafening noise. Feel the mists fall on your skin and the 'thunder' vibrate through your core. From February to May each year, the Victoria Falls are in full flood with 132 million gallons (500 million liters) of water tumbling over the edge into a series of gorges each minute! After a briefing and explanation of the Falls, your guide accompanies you along the scenic pathways of the rainforest, including the Devil's Cataract, the Main Falls viewpoint and the Horseshoe Falls viewpoint. In addition to the falls, expect to see some local flora and fauna.
TONGABEZI LODGE
Set along the northern banks of the Zambezi River, just 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) upstream from the iconic Victoria Falls, Tongabezi Lodge invites you to a serene escape where luxury and nature harmoniously converge. Surrounded by Zambia's untouched beauty, this intimate retreat offers a perfect base for exploring one of Africa's most celebrated wonders.
Your accommodation is thoughtfully designed to blend seamlessly with the surrounding wilderness. Choose from five elegant River Cottages or six uniquely crafted Houses, each featuring open-plan layouts, en-suite bathrooms, and private verandas that showcase breathtaking views of the river.
At the heart of the lodge, open-sided dining and lounge areas provide panoramic river vistas, while a rock-framed swimming pool and wellness facilities offer spaces for relaxation. Combining unmatched tranquility, exquisite design, and its proximity to Victoria Falls, Tongabezi Lodge promises an unforgettable riverside experience.
Activities:
Morning and afternoon boat cruise, canoeing, guided walks, fishing, Victoria Falls tour (Zambian side), game drive in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, walk in the gorge, local village and museum visit, mountain biking and shopping excursion. Note: activities are shared unless otherwise stated. Park fees excluded. Water activities are dependent on seasonal water levels.
We finished packing up the room. They picked up the bags at our room at 7 am. The bags are going to transfered by truck to the Mpumalanga Airport.
We wandered down to breakfast at 7:30 am. Living up to its name, there was a leopard sitting in the entrance to the lodge. It was a 12 year male whose home territory includes the lodge. I had another omelet for breakfast.
Jonahn took us to the Sabi Sands airport about 8:40 am. We caught a Federal Airlines Charter flight. The flight made a stop somewhere in Kruger National Park to pick up two more couples. We got to the Mpumalanga Airport about 10:15 am. Our luggage was aleady there.
We caught an 11:35 am SA Airlink flight to the Victoria Falls airport. It landed about 1:15 pm. There wasn't an airport greeter before we got to immigration.
Once we got through passport control, the fun began. Over the course of the next five hours, we were passed between a number of people with each of them expecting a tip. Three (four?) different people handled our luggage at the airport by the time that it got to the car.
The driver took us to the Lookout Cafe for a late lunch. There was some confusion. A main and a dessert were should be included, but the staff said it wasn't. I ended up paying with a credit card. I sent a note to Rothschild Safari. I had a lamb wrap, while Sharon had a vegetable burger.
After lunch, a different driver and a guide picked us up. We did a guided two mile walking tour on the Zimbabwe side with great views of Victoria Falls. The trail had 16 different places to stop and look at the falls from different perspectives. The falls are at a lower water volume point this time of year, but it gives you a chance to see more of the rock. The guide did a nice job of leading the group.
After the walking tour, the driver and the guide took us to the nearby Zimbabwe border. We sent through passport control leaving the country. We then moved our bags from one van to another van with a new driver across the border in Zambia.
We drove a short distance. We got out and went through passport control to go into Zambia.
It was about 25 minutes to the Tongabezi Lodge.
We are spending three nights at the Tongabezi Lodge along the Zambezi River.
We had a late dinner. I had pasta, while Sharon had chicken. Sharon complimented the chief about the chicken when he stopped by the table.
We crashed just before 10 pm.
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