{"id":4812,"date":"2020-05-13T10:29:31","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T09:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/?p=4812"},"modified":"2020-06-11T15:22:01","modified_gmt":"2020-06-11T14:22:01","slug":"victoria-falls-in-full-flow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/2020\/05\/13\/victoria-falls-in-full-flow\/","title":{"rendered":"Victoria Falls In Full Flow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a timely reminder that nothing lasts forever, reports from Zimbabwe and Zambia are showing that Victoria Falls has staged an epic recovery and are now in full flow just a few months after widespread reporting that the waters were at a historically low levels due to seasonal drought<\/a>. In December of last year, stories about the drought were accompanied by alarming pictures showing the bare rockface of the Falls, but by April 2020 the waters had returned and the Falls were back at their magnificent best. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, in the intervening period events in the wider world have temprarily shut down international tourism, so at the moment only residents of the towns of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe and Livingstone in Zambia are able to enjoy this spectacular sight. But nothing last forever, and as Zimbabwe and Zambia have both been relatively unaffected by the Covid-19 pandemic they are begining to ease their own internal lockdowns, and at the momenty the hope is that international tourists will be able to return to the Falls later in the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hopefully the waters will still be close to their current spectaucular levels when international tourists do return, but even if the levels have dropped somewhat from their current highs there is plenty to attract visitors to the area. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Over the years the area around Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe\/Zambia border has developed into one of Southern Africa\u2019s leading adventure tourism destinations.  Clearly the main attraction of the area is still a visit to visit the Falls themselves, and for most visitors this will take around half a day if they do this with a guide and visit both the Zimbabwean and Zambian side of the Falls<\/a>.   The evening cruises on the Zambezi are also immensely popular, and then after that we find a whole host of activities from microlight flights to white water rafting that are sure to provide spectacular memories for those brave enough to take them on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Microlight flight over the Falls<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst the popular \u2018Flight Of Angels\u2019  helicopter flights offer wonderful views over Victoria Falls, a trip in a microlight offers a more exhilarating way to see the Falls from the air.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As with the helicopter flights, there are both 15 minute and 30 \nminute options available, however the fact that you are completely \nexposed to the elements in the microlight make this feel like a very \ndifferent experience.  The microlights fly lower and slower than the \nhelicopters, meaning you feel the spray on your skin, and as they are \nslower moving the 15 minute flight will stay closer to the Falls for the\n majority of the flight.  One thing to note is that you are not allowed \nto take your own camera on the flights due to safety and insurance \nissues, however there is a wing mounted camera that is operated by the \npilot, and you can buy digital  copies of these pictures at the end of \nyour trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Batoka<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

2. The Devil\u2019s Pool<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Devil’s Pool in only accessible when the Falls are at their lowest, between late August and early January, and this natural wonder provides an unforgettable vantage point with spectacular views of the Falls. For those who think they might be washed away as soon as they enter the water, fear not, as there is a natural rock wall that stops any anyone from being swept over.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Devil\u2019s Pool can only be reached as part of an organised trip, and these depart from the Royal Livingstone Hotel, and start with a short boat ride towards Livingstone Island in the middle of the river right by the edge of the Falls.  From here you will walk to a viewing point overlooking the Horseshoe Falls and the 108 meter drop of the Rainbow Falls,  and then you are taken to an area where you can see the Main Falls from a completely different angle that that seen from the visitor center on the other side of the gorge.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Looking<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

With only a sheer drop and the rushing waters of the Zambezi around \nyou, Devil\u2019s Pool will showcase the unparalleled beauty and power of \nthis natural wonder, giving you memories that will last a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. White water rafting on the Zambezi<\/strong><\/ins><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setting off at dawn with your fellow rafters, guests will all be \ntaken up river for what will be one of the most incredible and exciting \nactivities they\u2019ll ever do.  From the drop off point, it is a short hike\n down a valley to the river, walking along small paths and having to \nclimb down in some areas, making everyone feel like a true explorer. \nWhen everyone is down, no time is wasted in getting onto the river and \nletting the fun begin. The guide will give you some instructions and \ntips about safety, and then with a roar from the team, the adventure \nbegins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You will hear the roar of the rapids before you see them, and you \nwon\u2019t be disappointed with what lies ahead. As the adrenaline kicks in, \nand the water crashes around you, remember to keep paddling, and then \nbefore you know it, you are through and in the calmer water\u2026 that is \nuntil you tackle the next one!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"White<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

After conquering that final rapid, guests will be left feeling \nexhausted, but it won\u2019t matter. With a huge smile on your face and a new\n group of friends besides, have a look back at what you have just done \nwith a feeling of amazement and satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls bridge<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whist there are bungee jumps all over the world, there will be very \nfew betters place to try out this incredible activity than at Victoria \nFalls. With the Zambezi River below you, and the falls thundering \nconstantly in the background, guests will have to go a long way to find \nanything more dramatic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Waiting in the queue on the bridge, watching as each person is given \nthe countdown and then jumping, can be daunting at first. As you get \ncloser and closer, the mind is racing and there is so much adrenaline \nthat you cannot keep your feet still, until finally its time. With your \nfeet just over the edge and nothing in front except one of the best \nviews of the river, all anyone hears is the countdown. With your heart \nracing and arms out either side, you conquer the fear and jump, and \neveryone always does. With the river rapidly approaching suddenly you \nstart to slow down, before going up, and then falling again. In that \nmoment, the elation and joy of what you have just accomplished takes \nover, knowing from then on, if I can do this, I can do anything!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Jump<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

5. Victoria Falls gorge swing<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst nearly everyone knows about the famous bungee jump, the gorge swing can sometimes pass under the radar, but don\u2019t be fooled as it offers an adrenaline fix rivaling all of the activities at Vic Falls.   When the guides have walked you through the safety procedures, a harness attached to the rope swing will be attached to the jumper.  With the guide offering some steady encouragement the jumper can walk to the edge of the platform, before getting ready to make the most memorable jump of their lives.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Breaking free from the fear that was holding them in place, the feeling of free falling before swinging out over the raging waters below is something that is near impossible to describe, and it will take something very special to get a better rush of excitement anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a timely reminder that nothing lasts forever, reports from Zimbabwe and Zambia are showing that Victoria Falls has staged an epic recovery and are now in full flow just a few months after widespread reporting that the waters were at a historically low levels due to seasonal drought. In December of last year, stories […] Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":4881,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[198,96],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4812","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-victoria-falls","category-zambia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4812"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4812\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4824,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4812\/revisions\/4824"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4881"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4812"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4812"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelbutlers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}