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 !!!

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.

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.

Save 45% at the Zambezi Sun at Victoria Falls when you travel between 1 February and 8 April 2009.

The hotel is situated on the fringes of the Zambezi River in the 46 hectare Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Wildlife Park, overlooking the magnificent Victoria Falls.

The hotel has an Activity Centre, where travel professionals will advise and recommend a variety of excursions and safaris, from day trips to the Chobe National Park to nail-biting white water rafting or bungee jumping.

Familes are most welcome and there are activities especially designed to keep children entertained, including the Happy Hippo Club.

We have just received notification that the Zambian government have put forward plans to REDUCE the current visa fees from US$150 to US$50 for single entry while double or multiple-entry fee will be reduced from US$340 to US$80.

However, please note that these new visa fees would only come into effect once the Minister of Home Affairs signs the statutory instrument. President Rupiah Banda had promised during his electioneering campaign that once elected into office he would slash the visa fees.

Watch this space …. !

All travellers to Zimbabwe are advised that no payments can by made by credit card at all. The banks have suspended all credit card transactions until they can introduce new systems, as their equipment is no longer able to handle the billions of local currency involved in even the smallest of transactions.

Clients must carry cash on them in either U$ or Rand, and in small denominations as places are unable to give change in foreign currency.

Only a short 2 hour flight from Jo’burg, a trip to Victoria Falls is certainly memorable. One of the 7 Wonders of 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 40 km away.

For some, however, the real thrill of visiting the Falls during September through to December comes from swimming right up to the very edge of the Falls themselves …
Known as “The Devil’s Swimming Pool”, this naturally formed safe pool, accessed via Livingstone Island, offers visitors the adrenelin-pumping opportunity to swim in shallow water literally within a couple of inches from the edge of the gorge.

This spot is becoming well known amongst the “radical tourist” industry as more and more people search for the ultimate experience.