Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe

hamario

I booked a trip from Manchester to Victoria Falls in September (via eBookers) and I'm just wondering if anyone here has ever been? If so, are there any dos and don'ts that I need to know about?

mrs_lds

Think Niagra falls no comparison. Absolutly stunning, memorable. Beware of malaria quite rife there. The Victoria Falls hotel quite pricey look out for the local concierge man with all the badges as you get off the bus.
There is Dr Livingstones statue there as well. You will have a great time enjoy.

shabani

From which country are you visiting the Vic Falls from. The VIc Falls forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. I hear you get a better view from the Zimbabwean side.Anyway you may cross the border into either country.
Currently hotels in Zim are quite empty!
One thing I will warn is not to get your money from the bank but on the black market especially in Zimbabwe dollar.You will get 10 times more on the black market than the official bank rate.

hamario

Thanks very much.

With regards to Malaria, I intend to see my GP in the next week so he can advise me on what medication/injections I need before I go.

I'm seeing the falls from Zimbabwe, and I'll hopefully be staying in the Victoria Falls hotel (not booked yet). Thanks for the tip on exchanging money, very useful indeed.

bexterwho

I'm so jealous. Vic Falls is truly amazing. Stunning place and so much to do. Its a good 8 years since I last went, so not sure how much has changed in the meantime. If you are physically able, do at least one out of bungi jump or white water rafting. Both are amazing experiences and worth every penny and bead of sweat! Quite nervewracking but the rush is worth it, and the views from both! Watch out for elephants. They roam free around the area. Don't get too close or hem them in as they can be aggressive. Its also worth going over to the zambian side if you can still do that on a day visa. Very different view of the falls. I'll have a think and see if I come up with any thing else. You've got me reminiscing now!!!

alison74

shabani wrote:

From which country are you visiting the Vic Falls from. The VIc Falls forms the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. I hear you get a better view from the Zimbabwean side.Anyway you may cross the border into either country.
Currently hotels in Zim are quite empty!
One thing I will warn is not to get your money from the bank but on the black market especially in Zimbabwe dollar.You will get 10 times more on the black market than the official bank rate.

I agree that you get a better view from the Zim side, I have been to both. The only advantage of the Zambia side is that you can actually WALK on the falls (away from the edge of course - to say you have 'walked on Victoria Falls')

I did a helicopter trip over them that was worth EVERY penny as the pilot went up and down, round and round and saw the falls from all angles.

Far better than Niagara (which I liked)

Re the money.................. be VERY careful when buying on the black market there. There are two kinds of black market. One 'offical' black market where you get a better rate than the bank and actually GET the money, and then the REAL black market, where they make the deal, take your US dollars and you get what SEEMS to be a huge wad of notes (with real ones on the outside) but look in the middle and it will be nothing but paper !!

Happens to soooooooooooooooooo many people who just see the huge wad and the guy will be well gone before you realise.

hamario

great advice......thanks.

Wilkinson_Sword

When I first read the title to this thread I thought a girl called Victoria had fallen over !! DOH!!!

wifeforlife

Hi I lived in livingston, Zambian side, the most important thing I would say is dont take a picnic, we did the 1st time we went and monkeys stole it right out of our hands, it was hilarious!!! I would say experience both sides, also if your staying a while look into a place called jungle junction, its an island in the middle of the zambezi, its a magical experience!!! If I find the website I'll post the link.

Enjoy your time there, it's a wonderful place

Cath

hamario

Thanks Cath, that'd be great

davidlizard

Been there twice (1994 when we visited Zambia and 1999 when we visitied Zimbabwe) but alot has happened since, so take this with a pinch of salt. Fully recommend getting airborne above them. There were in 1999 aircraft, helicopters, sea planes and microlights all offering trips over the falls. (Goodness knows what there is now though). Insist on a window seat though - some people in the helicopter were sat in the middle and saw very little.

One thing that may be worth considering is how much water will be going over the falls at that time of year - i.e. when it is in relation to the rainy season - if its dry season, the falls may not be at their most spectacular - however, OTOH, after the rains then the falls are obscured a fair bit by the spray. Someone with better meteorological understanding of southern african seasons may be able to advise...

There is also a footpath where you can descend through the rain forest to the base of the falls, which takes about 30 minutes to descend, but is worth the decent.

One final tip - if you have your passport/money on you, make sure it is in a waterproof bag - there is an awful lot of spray in parts of the park. Our camera was never the same after getting a good soaking ! Look out for the bridge with the rainbow that goes right round it when you are stood on it.

And there is (or was) a museum on the Zim side with exhibits of dung ! There is (or was) loads of stuff to do in the vicinity - wildlife trips on the Zambezi, rafting, safaris.

Have a great trip !