Victoria Falls Favorites

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Fondest memory: For those who are leaving Zimbabwe:
The Zimbabwe border is 400 meters before the bridge. Stamp your passport with a exit stamp, and walk across the bridge to Zambia. The bridge is a no-mans-land, and Zambia border is 400 meters walk after the bridge.

For those who are entering Zimbabwe:
You need to write a visa application and arrival card. A visa label for 30 days stay is pasted in the passport for 30 USD. Children are free. Be aware that the price for visa and the length of stay is different from country to country. For example a guy from Mexico had to pay 100 USD for only 3 days stay.

Favorite thing: Nothing costs less than a dollar (US). To get change is a major problem. South African Rands, USD, British Pounds and Euros are accepted. Try to have small denominations, it will save you a lot of problems.
No transactions are done with Zimbabwe Dollars.

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Favorite thing: 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!

Favorite thing: Be sure to take a plastic bag to protect your camera when going to see the waterfall. The spray generated from this huge amount of water going over the side can be as bad as a torrential downpour and catches you by surprise at times. Keep your camera safe and dry in the bag and onlt take it out when you find a dry spot from which to take photos.

Favorite thing: for bookings and information on activities and safaris try Backpackers Bazaar, they even found my mobile phone i lost in Botswana for me (and if you see a kangaroo on a desk - i sent it :P )

They are experts in:
Victoria Falls
Zambia
Botswana
Namibia
Malawi
Mozambique etc

they arranged a Chobe National Park day tour i took and provided plenty of great advice.

Fondest memory: nothing was too much trouble for them.

backpack@africaonline.co.zw
backpack@telcovic.co.zw
mobile: 011 404 960
phone: 44611 42208

Favorite thing: 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.

Favorite thing: I suppose you can spend as much time as you want to, but for us, 26 hours wasn't enough. We were limited to this amount of time since we were working in Johannesburg on Friday and Monday. There are no evening flights to Vic Falls on Friday night, so we had to fly out Saturday morning. The last flight back to Johannesburg left at around 4 PM on Sunday. If I were to do it again, I'd plan for at least another full day on the ground. If your trip to Vic Falls is the only time you'll spend in Zimbabwe, try to stay even longer so you can get to see some wildlife. To do this right, visiting some nearby parks, takes at least a full day.

Fondest memory: The park is kept with a minimal impact by man. Forget the lineup of restaurants or souvenirs shop, there's none of this! It makes the walk through the park a real pleasure for the senses without distractions. Wherever you are you can hear the thunder of the water crashing down the falls...

Favorite thing: I like keeping things from my trips. This is one. I became friendly with the Guide. He
talked about needing supplies ect. I had mentioned there is a ARMY SURPLUS STORE near me. I guess he thought it would
be easy to send things to him. It would have never worked. But I have not forgotten him.
10/1999

Fondest memory: The nice people of ZIMBABWE!

Favorite thing: They has us stop here and there. This no 15min ride. We were out about 3hrs!
The guides name: Shadreck. A nice man.
Seemed very respectful of his ELEPHANTS.
This is also no fenced in yard. It's out in the bush. Do you see the BULL ELEPHANT
tin the back towards the right? Between the 2 trees? No problem, very exciting. My first WILD ELEPHANT!

Fondest memory: Much to do. So little TIME!