Not for the faint-hearted, true, but if you have always entertained a burning desire to swim close to the edge of the Victoria Falls, then you need to make a trip to Devil’s Pool, a naturally formed pool accessed via Livingstone Island in Zambia.

Only attempt this when the river flow is at a safe level, however – which is RIGHT NOW ! The pool ‘opened for business’ a few days ago due to low water levels in the Zambezi River.

There is a natural rock wall just below the water and at the very edge of the Falls that stops anyone from swimming right over the edge and tumbling down into the gorge … although please .. do still be careful !!!

For people wanting to combine Vic Falls with a Kruger safari, there is a service run by SAA that operates directly from Kruger Mpumalanga / Nelspruit (airport code MQP) to Livingstone, which currently operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It has just been announced, however, that a new flight is being planned for Saturdays (commencing March 10 2012) and eventually on Tuesdays (from August 7 2012).

These direct flights avoid any need for safari goers to stay overnight or connect in Johannesburg prior to flying to Livingstone. The opportunity is then for travellers to enjoy a game drive and breakfast at their bush lodge before travelling to Livingstone and enjoying, on the same day, an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi. For people travelling from Livingstone to Kruger, they can enjoy a walk to the Falls in the morning, then breakfast and mid-morning activities before travelling to Kruger to enjoy dinner and the first night in the bush.

The SAA flights depart Nelspruit Kruger at just before midday, and takes just over 2 hours to arrive at Livingstone. The return flight will depart Livingstone at early afternoon, arriving in Nelspruit Kruger just before 5 pm. Please note these times are subject to change.

Following unnecessary confusion throughout the tourism industry The South African Department of Health have finally informed the South African Society of Travel Medicine (www.sastm.org) as of October 1, all travellers from Zambia will be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination (unless in possession of a valid waiver certificate).

Travellers transiting airports in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission will also be required to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, regardless of the amount of time spent at the airport.

All travellers from yellow fever risk countries who are unable to produce a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at the port of entry will either be refused entry or quarantined until their certificate becomes valid, or for a period of not more than six days.

Those with an exemption certificate due to medical reasons will be allowed entry and required to report any fever or other symptoms to the health authorities and be placed under surveillance.

To celebrate the new direct 3 hour flight between Cape Town and Livingstone, this offer includes a 3 night stay at the luxurious David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa, as well as a sunset cruise on the Lady Livingstone, a tour of the Falls on the Livingstone side, return flights from Cape Town to Livingstone, and return transfers from Livingstone Airport to lodge.

All this for just R8,050 per person per night if you book with us. Valid for travel from now until the end of December 2011. Airline taxes and Park fees are excluded – rates on request.

Situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, and just 7 km from the Victoria Falls, the David Livingstone Safari Lodge & Spa is an exclusive property, offering world class facilities for guests enjoyment. There are 77 rooms in total, all en-suite. All rooms have a mini bar, air-conditioning, TV with satellite, and tea / coffee making facilities. Most rooms look out over the mighty Zambezi River and a leisurely sundowner can be enjoyed from your private balcony.

The Lady Livingstone is a 144 seater river cruiser comprising of 3 decks, enabling guests to experience Africa in a unique style on the Zambezi River.

The direct flights from Cape Town to Livingstone depart 8 am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; and coming back they depart Livingstone at 2 pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.

The Yellow Fever vaccination recommendations for Africa have been revised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Following this revision, the South African Department of Health has issued a statement regarding the requirements for travel between South Africa and Zambia.

All passengers travelling from Zambia to South Africa, and vice versa, will now require proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. This was not a requirement before.

In-transit passengers will also require proof of vaccination.

At last !! Now it is possible to fly directly from Cape Town to Livingstone and Victoria Falls !

Zambezi Airlines have just announced their new direct flights – the planned schedule (due to be launched at the end of June) will be as follows :

From 30 Jun 11 until 31 Dec 12, flights will depart on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday from Cape Town at 8 am, arriving into Livingstone at 11.10 am – so you can then spend the rest of the afternoon at the Falls !

On the way back, the flights depart Livingstone on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 2 pm, arriving back into Cape Town at 5.10 pm – so just in time for a sundowner !

The Islands of Siankaba Lodge is located on 2 untouched islands in the middle of the mighty Zambezi River situated 24 miles from the magnificent Victoria Falls, and just 30 miles from the world famous Chobe National Park.

The islands are linked by a suspension bridge leading to an overhead walkway in the tree canopy.

Some of the activities offered include tours to the Victoria Falls (and as from 7th March 2011 these trips can be to either the Zambia side OR the Zimbabwe side of the Falls – giving guests the best possible chance of experiencing the best of Victoria Falls at anytime of the year), or the Mosi-O-Tunya and Chobe National Parks; birding and tree walks; guided fishing trips; dugout canoe trips around the islands with your own private paddler / guide; cycling; sunset river cruises; elephant back safaris and white water rafting.

Cultural village walks can also be arranged, which is a fantastic way to experience real Zambian culture and hospitality within a rural way of life.

Our congratulations to the 5* Royal Livingstone Hotel at Victoria Falls, which has yet again been awarded ‘Best Hotel in Zambia’.

This prestigious 2010 World Travel award was thanks to the thousands of industry professionals worldwide who voted online, and was given to the hotel at a ceremony hosted in Johannesburg on Wednesday 7 July, which was attended by 1200 senior industry leaders.

The World Travel awards were established 17 years ago, and are committed to raising the standards of customer service and overall business performance throughout the international industry.

Only moments from the Zambezi River with the dramatic torrent of the Victoria Falls as its natural backdrop, the Royal Livingstone Hotel appeals to anyone in search of luxury, extravagance and sheer indulgence. The hotel stretches luxuriously along the banks of the Zambezi River, and consists of a sequence of thatch-roofed buildings, with deep verandas, set amidst indigenous trees and plants. A classic swimming pool visually links the waters of the river with the terraces of the hotel, with a sweeping timber deck planted in the swirling water of the Zambezi. The 173 en-suite air-conditioned rooms and suites all offer private balconies or terraces.

For anyone planning a quick hop up to Victoria Falls during their stay in South Africa for the World Cup, Zambia have just announced that entry visas will only cost $25, as opposed to the normal $50, in a bid to encourage visitors.

Only a short 2 hour flight from Johannesburg, a trip to Victoria Falls is certainly memorable. One of the 7 Wonders of the World, the Falls are situated between Zambia and Zimbabwe, and with a width of 1.7 km and a volume of 9 million litres per second pouring down a vertical drop of just over 100m they are certainly one of the largest waterfalls in the world.

The sheer noise of the Falls as they cascade over the edge into the deep gorge is deafening, and the misty clouds of spray, occasionally broken by rainbows, are visible from over 30 km away – hence it’s local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The smoke that thunders”.

The reduced fee will apply to those entering the country with a valid ticket for any of the World Cup matches.

The reduced visa fee will only be in force until July 31.

AIRLINK has confirmed that it will operate a new route from Kruger to Livingstone (for Victoria Falls) from August 17.

Airlink’s service will operate directly from Kruger Mpumalanga / Nelspruit (airport code MQP) to Livingstone in Zambia (airport code LVI) initially on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with the intention to grow frequency corresponding with demand.

This will avoid the current need for Kruger travellers to stay overnight or connect in Johannesburg prior to flying to Livingstone. The opportunity is then for travellers to enjoy a game drive and breakfast at their bush lodge before travelling to Livingstone and enjoying, on the same day, an evening sunset cruise on the Zambezi. For people travelling from Livingstone to Kruger, they can enjoy a walk to the Falls in the morning, then breakfast and mid-morning activities before travelling to Kruger to enjoy dinner and the first night in the bush.

Flights will depart Nelspruit Kruger at 11.55 am, arriving in Livingstone at 1.50 pm. The return flight will depart Livingstone at 2.20 pm, arriving in Nelspruit Kruger at 4.45 pm.