a Helicopter flight
by B_Caro
During my trip in Zimbabwe (take a look at it to read more about my trip in Zimbabwe), I also spend a few hours in Zambia. In fact it was nothing more then a 30 minute flight above the falls and the drive to & from the heliport ;-)
Arriving at the campground in Vic falls, there are a lot of people outside the campsite who offers you helicopter flights, rafting, bungee-jumping and other activities. Vic Falls is full of these kind of tour operators.
I liked the idea of a helicopter flight above the falls, so it didn’t take me long to decide. Finally we were with 4 to go.
The flight started from the Zambian side of the falls.
In the afternoon, they picked us up with a jeep and we went to heliport. After some formalities, first at the border, then at the agency, we finally could start.
Actually I felt sick from the first moment that the helicopter took off (and I felt that way during the whole flight)
But ok, that didn’t keep me from taking a lot of pictures and enjoying the views. But I was very glad when I felt the earth again under my feet. ;-))
We chose to do a 30 minutes flight. Besides the falls, we would also fly upstream , seeing the Zambesi and a game park, and downstream, there where the wild Zambesi is popular for rafters.
Victoria Falls town
by georeiser
Victoria Falls town is a town in the province of Matabeleland North in Zimbabwe. The population is 20,000 people. The town lies less than 2 km south of the Zambezi river, and it takes 15 minutes to walk from the falls. Victoria Falls was a vibrant town before the political crises in 2001. The situation has become better since 2008, and some more tourists find their way to the town. (Read the nightlife tips...)
RAINCOAT RENTALS
by DAO
Rent a raincoat? That’s what I said. I started by seeing the Falls from the Zambia side during the dry season. I walked with 2 Zambian guys halfway across the Falls – no problem. The next day I was about to enter the Zimbabwe side when I saw signs for ‘RAINCOAT RENTALS’. What!? I FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY. Even during the dry season, the Zimbabwe side lives up to the name “Smoke that thunders”. The smoke is actually the spray generated by the falls year round on this side. Millions of litres of water a SECOND go over the edge. A lot of the water atomises before it reaches the bottom and floats away. Several of the lower vantage points are mini tropical rainforests compete with animals. You are going to get wet! So for $1-2 (no more) you can be slightly dryer. Enjoy!
Booking activities
by LA_Mer
If you are looking to book activities in Vic Falls, I recommend chatting with Mags Varley at Backpackers Bazaar. She and her husband Leon (with whom I did a walking safari in Hwange) run this office and a backpackers lodge in town. They are great folks and their office is very friendly and honest. I enjoyed working with them and hanging out with them socially. The office is on Boabab Street, check it out.
Stuff to do
by littlebush
The falls themself are in a national park, about a 20 minute walk from town. It costs $20 to get into the NP. The gorge which they flow into is a mile wide and they are spectacular seen from the air or on the ground. You can follow a set of paths around the falls inside the park. I went in December which is the start of the wet season and a good time to go as the water isnt too powerful and so not too much spray! In high season, although the water is more spectacluar, apparently its hard to see anything due to the spray! Apart from the falls, there are loads of activities to do, see the must do section for those. Vic Falls has a good nightlife scene, not much tp choose from but plenty of tourists there drinking so we had plenty of good nights out! Apart from drinking, the falls were spectacular and the flight over them was cool! otherwise didnt do much else as it was too expensive!
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Zimbabwe Visa on arrival
Clutching my Colcom ham outside Vic Falls station
Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls town, Zimbabwe
