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 have a dedicated driver who will meet them at the airport and then accompany them to and from each planned activity. The water-based activities are managed by experienced 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.

Itinerary

Day 1

Take a flight from OR Tambo airport in Johannesburg to Livingstone in Zambia, where you will be met by your dedicated driver for the duration of your trip. 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 Zambezi River, enjoying Sundowner drinks and a light snack on board while enjoying sightings of hippos, crocodiles, elephants and other African antelope along the banks of the river. Return to the hotel where you could make use of your included pizza voucher (1 large each) if you are still feeling peckish.

Day 2

After an early breakfast on the first morning, you will be taken by your dedicated driver through the Zimbabwe border to go and view the Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe perspective. Dress in quick drying clothing and good walking shoes to fully enjoy this incredible, once in a lifetime experience.

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 nature experience. Grab a coffee and a snack at the Rainbow Cafe before returning to the hotel.

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 dinner and drinks will be served. All proceeds are used to support and feed the magnificent beasts after which this restaurant is named.

Day 3

An early start to be taken by your driver to the boat launch site to Livingstone Island from where you will be guided to experience either Devils or Angels Pool, an adrenalizing swimming experience right on the edge of the mighty Victoria Falls followed by a lovely breakfast served on Livingstone Island. This is a swimming water experience.

The afternoon is free for you to select an activity of your choice, for your own pocket, these 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.

Day 4

Early rise and breakfast at the hotel before 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 rhinos.

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 dedicated driver/ guide
Accommodation - on a bed and breakfast basis at Safpar Waterfront Hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River. Please note: Accommodation prices are on shared basis, in the event there is an odd number of travellers or anyone elects to not share, a single supplement will apply.
2 x breakfasts at the hotel 1 x breakfast on Livingstone Island
2 x Dinners
1 large pizza voucher each, can be used at any time during your stay
River boat sundowner cruise - including all drinks and a light snack meal.
Victoria Falls self-guided tour (entries etc included but visa must be paid in cash per person- +/- $50) (it is possible to rent an earpiece guide at the entrance to the park)
Elephant Cafe interaction and dinner experience + drinks included
Guided River boat float down the great Zambezi with experienced guides.
Devils Pool epic Victoria Falls edge swimming experience on Livingstone Island followed by a delicious breakfast.
Game drive Day 4 (entries etc included but visa must be paid in cash per person- +/- $50)

What's Not Included

Flights to and from Livingstone, Zambia
Visa's ‚Visa on arrival for Zambia (free for most nationalities, need to fill a form in and have it and passport stamped.)Visa to enter Zimbabwe needs to be paid in cash ‚fill a form, present passport and have passport stamped. To exit Zimbabwe back into Zambia, show stamped passport.
Lunches
Day 3 afternoon activity 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 Café dinner are included)
Gratuities for the dedicated driver/guide - recommend $60.00 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 water on the activities, Zambia and Zimbabwe are very warm, 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 applies
Accommodation costs may vary slightly depending on the availability of the Adventure Village rooms
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

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 dedicated 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.