1.1 Elephant back safaris
Enjoy a ride on one of Africa’s largest animals through a scenic game-rich area. Skilled handlers guide these magnificent beasts while sharing the history of the elephants, their training and the particulars of the various types of animals you might encounter on your ride.
These walks take place early in the mornings or in the afternoons and are followed by a filling breakfast (in the morning), or snacks and refreshments (in the afternoon). They time spent with the elephants amounts to about 3 hours and includes an educational bush walk followed by a short, but fun, interaction with the elephants. One can expect to spend roughly 5 hours at the elephant site.
Please try to book these in advance as they are quite popular.
1.2. Elephant Encounters/Jumbo Junction
If you’re interested in seeing a pack of African elephants in their natural state, grazing and playing about – this experience is for you. While you won’t get to ride one of these giants, you’ll be able to see ‘a day in the life of an elephant’ first hand, with the added bonus of direct interaction – overseen by their skilled and knowledgeable handlers. This adventure includes lunch and refreshments and lasts roughly 3 hours.
2. Canoeing
Canoeing down the mighty Zambezi is an amazing experience and the ground operators on the Zambian and Zimbabwean side of the falls offer a variety of short trails and multi-day canoe safaris on the upper part of the notorious river.
On the Zambian side - inflated two-man canoes are used over the 18km stretch of water, and a lunch on an island is included in the trip. At the end of the trail you are picked up by the handlers and taken on a game viewing drive through the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park.
During the Zambian overnight safaris, paddlers sleep over on an island on the Zambezi, where you enjoy refreshing sundowners and a good dinner under a canopy of stars. The next day you can choose between a one hour paddle to Thorntree River Lodge or a two hour paddle to Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park where you’ll be picked up and transferred back to the base.
3.1 Game Viewing
Depending on the season - you can see anything from buffalo, elephant, crocodiles, hippos (all the time), plains game and a lot of birds. There are many options, including the boat cruises and elephant back safaris. But for traditional 4x4 game drives, whether you go to Zambia or Zimbabwe there’ll be a great game park to visit on either side. In Zambia the Mosi Oa Tunya National Park, and in Zimbabwe the Nakavango Private Game Reserve have a good variety of animal and birdlife.
Some options include:
Half Day Game Drive
Morning game drives start at 5am or 9am. Afternoon game drives start at 3.30pm. Refreshments and drinks are served during the game viewing. The drives take roughly 2 1/2 hours.
Full Day Game Drive
Starts at 6 am and finishes at 6.30 pm. There will be a midday break for lunch - smaller groups will picnic in a suitably shady spot in the area, while larger groups will be served lunch at one of the camps in the park.
Dusk Drives are followed by a great bush dinner under the stars.
The national park fees are included in the package and each drive is accompanied by experienced guides who have extensive knowledge of the area and its inhabitants.
Game walks are also available and offer an amazing first-hand experience of Africa and its many diverse animal, bird and plant species.
3.2 Day trip to Chobe National Park:
Guests leave their base early in the morning and are transferred by vehicle to the Chobe River, where their adventure kicks off. A great cruise down this hippo and crocodile-rich river includes drinks and snacks as well as an amazing view of the riverbanks and its ‘visitors’. After the cruise you are taken to a nearby lodge for a good lunch, followed by a great game drive in a 4x4 vehicle, through the Chobe National Park. You can expect to see a vast variety of plains game, large herds of elephant, buffalo, tons of bird species and some amazing landscapes. As the game drive comes to and end, guests are taken back to base.
4. Jet boating:
Jet boating down the Zambezi River is an exciting adventure, not to be missed. 11 passenger jet boats are used and the drivers are highly skilled in steering, first-aid and handling of tricky situations. The trips through the Batoka Gorge take between 35 and 40 minutes and are high adrenalin fun. Transfers to the ‘launch’ site take roughly 50 minutes and form part of the escapade.
High speed jetboating is a great way of seeing the amazing scenery, flying over white water rapids and seeing the falls from a very different perspective. Refreshment are served before and after the trip and each boat is equipped with radio communication and first aid kits.
Combinations of helicopter flights through the gorges, followed by the jet boat experience, as well as white river rafting followed by the jet boat trip are also available.
5. Lion walks:
While the general perception of lions as ferocious predators is more than true, it is possible to interact with these wild mammals while they are still young – as long as you always keep in mind that they will never really be tame.
During this adventure you get the chance to experience an hour in the life of two or three real-life lion cubs, under the strict supervision of a well-trained lion guide who knows exactly how to handle these characters, and how to react in any challenging situation.
The hour to an hour and a half that you spend with the cubs will be filled with interesting information, a short history of these heads of the food chain and a look at what young lions like and dislike in nature.
Make sure to book in advance as this one is quite popular.
6. River Cruises:
There are many cruise boats frequenting the Zambezi - ranging from small barges to large boats that can handle up to 100 people. Some are very formal and elegant while others are laid back, or your typical party boat. The boats serve anything from light snacks and drinks to full sit-down dinners and lunches and have great crew members that know how to keep their passengers entertained and happy. The game viewing is great and you can expect to see some hippo, crocodiles lounging on the banks, eagles, lizards, elephants, buffalo, tiger fish and many more – depending on the time of year.
The cruises vary in duration, but you can expect to spend approximately 3 hours on board, and can choose between breakfast, lunch or dinner cruises.
7. Helicopter rides:
Five-seater helicopters are available to whisk you over the Victoria Falls and surrounding game areas where, depending on the season, you can expect to see elephant, buffalo, rhino and all kinds of plains game. You have the option of going for a 13 minute flip, or a more extensive 30 minute flight that incorporates the Batoka Gorge.The views are simply amazing and you won’t regret this one!
The helicopters are also used for medical air rescue, so be aware that if an emergency presents itself, your flight might have to be postponed. Also note that window seats cannot be booked – but the view is great from all angles.
8. River Boarding:
River boarding was first ‘invented’ as a means of river rescue, but soon grew into a much enjoyed, high adrenalin sport. The riverboarders ‘surf’ the rapids of the Zambezi using large body boards. An experienced River Guide and a raft form part of the package, to ensure your safety at all times. Boarders can combine rafting and riverboarding, or opt to stick to riverboarding only. Half and full day trips are available and all participants are taught basic skills and safety procedures before entering the water. Various ‘tricks’ are taught and the boarders can expect to do a lot of ‘playing’ in the water.
Different rapids are surfed during the year, all depending on the level of the water. When any rapids are deemed to dangerous, the boarders will cross over them in the raft, avoiding any unnecessary risk. Wetsuits, flippers and boards are supplied, and the group is accompanied by a photographer and video cameraman (videos and DVD’s are available for sale). Drinks are also supplied before and after the river trip. Participants should wear comfortable quick-drying clothing and sunglasses with proper fastening devices. Don’t forget your sunscreen!
9. Kayaking
A great way of experiencing the might of the Zambezi and the beauty of the Batoka Gorge is from the vantage point of a tandem kayak. Participants are supplied with paddles, life jackets and helmets and given a good safety briefing and practical training session before taking off. Each kayak will be steered by an experienced river guide who knows his stuff. Full and half day options are available, and to ensure added safety - the kayaks go out with the white river rafts.
These trips are quite popular – so make sure to book in advance.
10. Bungi jumping:
“Go jump off a bridge” takes on a whole new meaning at the Victoria Falls Bridge bungi jump. Become one of the over 50 000 brave souls who’ve taken the plunge of 111km towards the valley below and survived. Not to worry though – the bungi set-up at the falls has a 100% safety record.
Jumpers need to weigh in at more than 40kg and less than 140kg, be older than 14 and should not suffer from back, ankle, or knee problems; heart conditions; high blood pressure; neurological disorders; epilepsy or be pregnant.
Harnesses are attached to jumpers’ ankles and bodies and after the thrilling jump they are hoisted back onto the bridge. You can opt to include video footage and photographs of your adventure in the package.
Different jumping options are available, including forward jumps, backward jumps, ankle harness jumps, full body harness jumps and many more. Make sure you bring your passport along, as the jumping zone falls between Zambia and Zimbabwe in no-man’s land.
11. Abseiling, gorge swing, flying fox
Three other great activities are also offered down and over the Batoka Gorge – abseiling, the gorge swing and the flying fox.
Abseiling entails safely dropping down the side of the 53m gorge, facing the gorge, or alternatively facing away (better known as rap jumping). Climbers are fitted with a harness and make use of climbing ropes and pulleys. Everyone is briefed on the workings of the equipment by an instructor before embarking on this venture. The views are great and the trip down quite exhilarating. Once below climbers follow a path back to the top.
For those keen on jumping off a cliff, but not ready for the intensity of bungi jumping, the gorge swing offers a slightly less heart-stopping alternative. Don’t underestimate it though – it’s still a high-adrenalin thrill. Gorge ‘swingers’ get into full body harnesses and jump off the edge of the gorge. After a 50m freefall they complete a gigantic swing into the middle of the gorge. This is followed by a good amount of back and forth swinging, after which they are lowered into the gorge. A path will lead them back to the top where more swinging and activities can be enjoyed.
The flying fox is a fun way of experiencing the gorge from high above, without the falling sensation of the gorge swing or bungi experience. Once again a body harness is fitted and attached to a long cable that spans the gorge. The ‘fox’ (that’s you) has to run off a ramp and off the cliff where the cable will take over and create a ‘flying’ sensation as you slide/glide over the top of the gorge. Once you get to the end of your ‘flight’, you are pulled back to the starting point and helped out of the harness. This one is great if you don’t feel like the walk back from below (abseiling and gorge swing). You can also do this one as many times as you like.
Snacks and drinks are provided on arrival, while full day visitors are served a lunch of cold meats, salad and cheese.
12. Micro/Ultralight Flights:
If you’re after a spectacular unobstructed view of the falls and the surrounding area with its wildlife and beautiful landscape, a flight in one of these open cockpit aircraft is definitely for you. As the only passenger, you’ll enjoy the sole attention of the pilot. You’ll have the option of a 15 or 30 minute trip and as the plane is fitted with a camera you’ll have a wonderful selection of photographs to take home with you (additional cost).
The airstrip is situated close to the falls and easily accessible.
13. Horse trails:
Single and multi-day horse trails and safaris are available in the Victoria Falls area and are a great way of seeing the beautiful environment, some of the area’s game (hippo, crocodile, bushbuck and even elephant and buffalo if you’re lucky) and the amazing scenery above the Batoka Gorge.
Horses are available for novice and experienced riders, and the rides are organised to suit your level of skill.
The single day trails are divided into half and full day safaris (the half day ones last roughly 3 hours), while the multi-day ones can be divided into two-, four- and six-day safaris.
The horses include thoroughbreds, Anglo Arabs, Cleveland Bay horses, bush ponies and some thoroughbred cross horses – all in top condition and ranging between 12 and 17 hands high.
14. Fishing:
The Zambezi River is considered one of the best fresh water fishing sites in the world and offers more than 75 species of fish. Among them, the Tiger Fish is seen as an exceptional catch. Various fishing options are available in this area and include stay-overs at river-side lodges, half and full day trips.
Tranquil fishing can be enjoyed on the banks of the upper Zambezi while more scenic and out of the ordinary experiences can be had on the lower Zambezi, below the falls. Fishing guides are available to take you to the best spots and you can expect to be amazed by their extensive knowledge of the area and its inhabitants.
A catch and release policy is followed in the Zambezi area, but if you manage to hook a trophy you’re more than welcome to keep it (local taxidermy services operate in the area).
15. Steam train
For the more nostalgic traveller the area offers short steam train rides from the Livingstone Station to the beautiful Victoria Falls Bridge (short stopover with great photo-opportunities) and back. The views are magnificent and you come to understand why Cecil John Rhodes picked this route on his Cape to Cairo railway.
The steam train can also take passengers to Jafuta Siding outside of Victoria Falls for more spectacular views.
16. Victoria Falls Bridge tours
The Victoria Falls Bridge has a rich history that spans over a hundred years. During one of these tours you’ll learn about Cecil John Rhodes’ dream of the Cape to Cairo railway line, the interesting tale of the bridge’s construction, how virtually impossible challenges were overcome in this endeavour and why the location of the bridge was actually chosen.
The tour takes roughly 2 ½ hours and includes some amazing views of the Vic Falls area and the falls themselves. You’ll even get the opportunity to walk on the underside of the bridge , and see the spot where the brave leap off for those heart stopping bungi jumps.
18. White water rafting
White water rafting on the Zambezi is ranked as one of the best rafting experiences in the world. The stretch of water used for this adventure has a great combination of low and high grade rapids (easy to difficult) and make for a wonderful ride. All participants are given a safety briefing and a training session before the ride begins. The guides are great and extremely well trained and experienced. They are trained in first aid and the rafts carry a first aid kit for any unforeseen mishaps.
The rafting experience is wonderful and a real adrenalin rush. Be prepared to get very wet and make sure you wear ample waterproof sunscreen. We also suggest clothing that is comfortable and dries quickly (board shorts work well) and shoes that are suitable for rafting (no flip flops).
The walk to the water is quite a long and tricky one – so ensure that you are prepared for a bit of a work-out. On the way back, there is a lift that takes rafters back up the hill – but not all the companies include this in the package (or do at an added cost). Make sure you pick the option of the lift – as your already tired legs will thank you afterwards (the climb up is extremely tiresome!).
You may bring a camera along for the before and after photos, but not for the ride itself. You camera will be safely locked up during the rafting, and given to you once you’ve returned. The rafting company has its own camera men who take videos and still shots which you can purchase afterwards. They have a great video viewing session once you return to base, and everyone has a chance to laugh at the flips and jumps of the other teams.
The rapids crossed are very dependant on the level of the river, and you guide will know how to handle any given obstacle based on this factor. The views from the bottom of the Batoka Gorge are simply amazing, and you might even see some wildlife on the banks as you speed downstream.
Full and half day trips are available, as well as overnight and multi-day combinations. You also have the option of a combination of white water rafting and jet boating. Cool drinks and beers are included in the package (for the ride back when you’ll need a bit of a cool-down). The ride there and back (by truck) takes a while, so make sure to bring a warm top – as you’ll be thoroughly soaked by the time you head back to base.
This is a not-to-miss experience and highly recommended if you like a bit of a action and are up for a challenge.
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